Ammonia high after adding start up additives

Ron Reefman

Lets Go Snorkeling!
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My ammonia level is about 0.7 to 1.0 tested with Salifert and API. The 40g aio tank has old sand that probably wasn't cleaned well enough. I've added some new sand and some dry rocks. I added a bottle of Fritz's enzyme (16oz) which had no effect. I waited 2 days and saw no change. Now I've added 30ml to 60ml of Microbe_Lift Nite Out (Starter Bacteria) each day for the last 3 days. Still no effect, ammonia is still at 0.7 to 1.0.

I'm not in a rush, and this is the first new set up I've done in a long time. I'd consider a big water change. I'd even consider pulling all the sand and washing it all and then adding new water.

Any suggestions? I've never used Fritz's or Microbe-Lift before, but I'm kind of disappointed. I would have expected some change after 7 days and all that starter chemistry.
 

Jekyl

GSP is the devil and clowns are bad pets
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Have you tested nitrate? Possible that the bacteria is doing its job despite die off from old sand?
 

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