Ammonia

[oscar132]

It is the 7th day of the nitrogen cycle and I used dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria. Yesterday I did a water change as the ammonia was very high, and I test the ammonia today and it is still above 3.7 ppm

 

[Dan_P]

It is the 7th day of the nitrogen cycle and I used dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria. Yesterday I did a water change as the ammonia was very high, and I test the ammonia today and it is still above 3.7 ppm

Dr. Tim’s can be slow to start working, maybe weeks. In addition, the bottle could be a dud because it was frozen during shipping. The nitrite test is more sensitive and will detect activity where the ammonia test won’t.

 

[Uncle99]

I’d get a better ammonia test.

 

[Revv65]

It is the 7th day of the nitrogen cycle and I used dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria. Yesterday I did a water change as the ammonia was very high, and I test the ammonia today and it is still above 3.7 ppm

This is not the first time I've seen this with the Dr. Tim's brand. Either that batch is lazy or it's not working at all as stated above. I usually see at least some action and improvement in a week. If you don't see any change in a few days, switch product. I know it seems to take forever but be patient.

 

[oscar132]

So what should I do, should I do another water change?

 

[oscar132]

So what should I do, should I do another water change?

Or should I get more nitrifying bacteria

 

[Uncle99]

So what should I do, should I do another water change?

You can.

 

[Uncle99]

Or should I get more nitrifying bacteria

I doubt your not cycled now.
That test kit not very good at low, low levels and seems to stop at one point.
I’d do a water change and proceed.

 

[56longroof]

Why are you doing water changes? Your tank is still cycling if ammonia is present. I'd let it ride until ammonia and nitrite are 0. Then do a water change to lower nitrates.

 

[oscar132]

I doubt your not cycled now.
That test kit not very good at low, low levels and seems to stop at one point.
I’d do a water change and proceed.

Why are you doing water changes? Your tank is still cycling if ammonia is present. I'd let it ride until ammonia and nitrite are 0. Then do a water change to lower nitrates.

If the ammonia is too high it will stall the cycle

 

[RocketEngineer]

If the ammonia is too high it will stall the cycle

Where is the ammonia coming from?

 

[oscar132]

Where is the ammonia coming from?

At the beginning I put food in the tank start the cycle and then put a little more in two days later

 

[RocketEngineer]

At the beginning I put food in the tank start the cycle and then put a little more in two days later

Ok, so stop adding stuff for a bit, do a big water change, then let the system settle out. Should be good from there.

 

[oscar132]

I did a water change yesterday, will doing another on not mess with the cycle?

 

[MnFish1]

It is the 7th day of the nitrogen cycle and I used dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria. Yesterday I did a water change as the ammonia was very high, and I test the ammonia today and it is still above 3.7 ppm

How did you measure the ammonia in the first place (i.e. how much to add) - if you use the drop method as suggested in the instructions it can result in quite a high ammonia level - which if over 5, can kill nitrifying bacteria - or at least slow their growth. Did you happen to check your ammonia immediately after adding Dr. Tims? I would double check your test - though looking at that I'm sure your ammonia is indeed high. You could do another water change if your test is documented high by another source (LFS) - or wait - it will eventually come down. Water changes will not 'mess with the cycle'.

 

[MnFish1]

How did you measure the ammonia in the first place (i.e. how much to add) - if you use the drop method as suggested in the instructions it can result in quite a high ammonia level - which if over 5, can kill nitrifying bacteria - or at least slow their growth. Did you happen to check your ammonia immediately after adding Dr. Tims? I would double check your test - though looking at that I'm sure your ammonia is indeed high. You could do another water change if your test is documented high by another source (LFS) - or wait - it will eventually come down. Water changes will not 'mess with the cycle'.

PS - the solution with Dr. Tims is to measure the ammonia needed with a syringe as compared to counting drops. Second - you need to have a good estimate of your water volume as compared to tank volume. If either one is off your ammonia will be high - and if too high, your cycle will be slow to start. I would keep diluting your sample 1:1 - until you ca calculate your actual ammonia in your tank (ie. not > 3.7). You do this this way (if your ammonia is above the chart) - 1. Take x ml of your tank water. 2. Dilute it with x ml of FRESH saltwater. Measure ammonia - whatever the result is multiply by 2 to get the result. If it's still too high - do it again and multiply by 4. etc. But - rather than >3.7, it would be helpful to know the actual value

 

[oscar132]

PS - the solution with Dr. Tims is to measure the ammonia needed with a syringe as compared to counting drops. Second - you need to have a good estimate of your water volume as compared to tank volume. If either one is off your ammonia will be high - and if too high, your cycle will be slow to start. I would keep diluting your sample 1:1 - until you ca calculate your actual ammonia in your tank (ie. not > 3.7). You do this this way (if your ammonia is above the chart) - 1. Take x ml of your tank water. 2. Dilute it with x ml of FRESH saltwater. Measure ammonia - whatever the result is multiply by 2 to get the result. If it's still too high - do it again and multiply by 4. etc. But - rather than >3.7, it would be helpful to know the actual value

How did you measure the ammonia in the first place (i.e. how much to add) - if you use the drop method as suggested in the instructions it can result in quite a high ammonia level - which if over 5, can kill nitrifying bacteria - or at least slow their growth. Did you happen to check your ammonia immediately after adding Dr. Tims? I would double check your test - though looking at that I'm sure your ammonia is indeed high. You could do another water change if your test is documented high by another source (LFS) - or wait - it will eventually come down. Water changes will not 'mess with the cycle'.

By drop method are you referring to using drops to test the ammonia, I use the fluval test kit.

 

[MnFish1]

By drop method are you referring to using drops to test the ammonia, I use the fluval test kit.

No - to add the Dr. Tims from the bottle to the tank.

 

[PotatoPig]

At the beginning I put food in the tank start the cycle and then put a little more in two days later

By “food” do you mean liquid ammonia, or are you adding some other food source also?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would just do nothing and wait and be patient. Stop testing even for a few days, you will not make it go faster by testing every day. 7 days is nothing. Waiting 3-4 weeks for a cycle is normal IMO.