Ammonia stuck beginer help

[connormoon]

So, a little back story: I bought a small tank in the hope of housing some clowns eventually a 57L tank. I have added the correct ammonia according to Dr Tim's one and only, but my API tests are at 8ppm, my salfert is at 1.5ppm, and there has been no sign of moving for about a week. My nitrate fluctuates between 5-20 ppm on both tests. Nitrite is at 5ppm on Salfert and 0on API. After reading many articles contradicting each other, some say doing a water change will help, while others say leaving it. Whats some suggestions? I've also read an article saying higher ammonia in smaller tanks can take longer to cycle and that the bacteria will not die no matter how much ammonia will be added. What to do next?

 

[cdemoss01]

So, a little back story: I bought a small tank in the hope of housing some clowns eventually a 57L tank. I have added the correct ammonia according to Dr Tim's one and only, but my API tests are at 8ppm, my salfert is at 1.5ppm, and there has been no sign of moving for about a week. My nitrate fluctuates between 5-20 ppm on both tests. Nitrite is at 5ppm on Salfert and 0on API. After reading many articles contradicting each other, some say doing a water change will help, while others say leaving it. Whats some suggestions? I've also read an article saying higher ammonia in smaller tanks can take longer to cycle and that the bacteria will not die no matter how much ammonia will be added. What to do next?

Yeesh.. emptying and refilling with water would work, replacing sand etc. But I'd recommend a water change hopefully I can get more people on this.

 

[Dburr1014]

It's processing.
Please don't change all the water.

Do a small water change or leave it for a couple more days then do one. Nitrate test is scewd in the presence of nitrite.
Once nitrite is zero or close to zero, you are cycled. Definitely do a water change at that time.

But seriously, couple more days I think you're done.

 

[connormoon]

It's processing.
Please don't change all the water.

Do a small water change or leave it for a couple more days then do one. Nitrate test is scewd in the presence of nitrite.
Once nitrite is zero or close to zero, you are cycled. Definitely do a water change at that time.

But seriously, couple more days I think you're done.

I'm going to leave it a few days and if its still hasn't changed ill do a water change what % would you recommend

 

[Dburr1014]

I'm going to leave it a few days and if its still hasn't changed ill do a water change what % would you recommend

20ish % minimum

 

[Spare time]

Yeesh.. emptying and refilling with water would work, replacing sand etc. But I'd recommend a water change hopefully I can get more people on this.

What would replacing sand accomplish?

 

[Spare time]

Crank up the heat a bit (81 or 82F) and wait. Or, but some fritz or biospira and speed it up. Don't bother testing nitrates until nitrites are gone.

 

[zerozero]

I'd put the API tests to one side and stick to salifert.

 

[cdemoss01]

What would replacing sand accomplish?

Getting rid of any ammonia or nitrate in the sand. Don't do it though.

 

[Spare time]

Getting rid of any ammonia or nitrate in the sand. Don't do it though.

Ammonia and nitrate don't build up in sand. Phosphate can though.

 

[cdemoss01]

Ammonia and nitrate don't build up in sand. Phosphate can though.

Oops

 

[connormoon]

So little update my ammonia has stayed steady on the salfert test and has dropped on API finally nitrites visible on API reading the same as salfert gonna leave it see if it cycles and if not will do a water change if it doesn't in the next week or so I've a lose tuned up the heat a lil thanks for all the advice I will update in the next couple days

 

[exnisstech]

I'm in the minority here but I don't own an ammonia or nitrite test kit. When I see nitrate I slowly move forward adding live stock.

 

[baitrunner]

Ammonia will lower the pH. If the pH gets too low it will stop the cycle.

 

[AmazingYocool]

yea a non fish cycle is hard to do. 9/10 times someone has an ammonia problem. It should go down on its own with your bacteria consuming it. if it comes to a long stop, a good waterchange should help. adding some 3rd party bacteria such as seed could also help speed it up

 

[connormoon]

Latest update ammonia still high but nitrites have spiked after a 20% water change. Ammonia still high will wait a couple days and see if we have any progress starting to think I should have done a fish cycle

 

[AmazingYocool]

Latest update ammonia still high but nitrites have spiked after a 20% water change. Ammonia still high will wait a couple days and see if we have any progress starting to think I should have done a fish cycle

nitrites going up means its cycling, so thats good. is there any nitrates?

 

[WvAquatics]

Imo I only watch cycle for ammonia processing. You cannot judge nitrates when nitrates are present i believe. If you have nitrites your nitrate test will not be correct. Once ammonia 2ppm is 0 in a day I slowly add livestock. Nitrites are a useless test in saltwater. The bicarbonate makes nitrite non toxic, unlike n freshwater where nitrates are just as bad as ammonia. Processing 2ppm ammonia in 24hrs and done.

 

[catfish4eva]

The simple answer is just to wait. Patience, patience, patience. As long as there is no livestock in there and you have plenty of sand and live rock, it will work itself out. You did the water change, and you can see some movement already. Now just wait it out and keep testing. It may take another week or longer.

How long has the tank been cycling? I recently did a fishless cycle with the ol' chunk o' shrimp method (works well, but creates lots of diatoms/algae) and waited almost six weeks before I added anything. Good luck, and I hope it works out soon!

 

[Freenow54]

It's processing.
Please don't change all the water.

Do a small water change or leave it for a couple more days then do one. Nitrate test is scewd in the presence of nitrite.
Once nitrite is zero or close to zero, you are cycled. Definitely do a water change at that time.

But seriously, couple more days I think you're done.

I had similar advice some years ago. My opinion is water changes do not work. I did continued changes over weeks with no change. I am afraid I cannot remember the situation or cure.