High ammonia!!

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008.

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  1. RavenMind

    RavenMind Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Hi guys. I'm cycling a new 20g tank and silly me, thought it would be okay to put a bunch of snails & crabs in there and feed them some algae wafers & flake food to get the cycle going. Well I'm getting concerned because my ammonia levels are somewhere between 4.0-8.0 on my test kit and the snails really don't look like they're doing very good. I did a 20% water change last night and it didn't even seem to make a difference in the ammonia level detected. First of all do I need to intervene or do you think the snails/crabs will be okay as the cycle continues? Secondly if I do need to intervene is there a chemical I can put in to reduce the ammonia level or do I need to do a bigger water change?

    Thanks for any help you can give!!
     
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    missionsix, Oct 19, 2008
    missionsix, Oct 19, 2008
    #2
  3. RavenMind

    RavenMind Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Thanks Mission that was a good read. My lack of patience & careful planning is making things more difficult. Any ideas where I ought to go from here? Are my reef cleaners doomed? :(
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2008
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    #3
  4. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    It's hard to say. Maybe they are. Some might make it and some might not. Why take the chance though. Return the critters you have now. And start over. Let your tank go through it's cycle. Without feeding and water changes. Especially no adding livestock. Unless, you are going to cycle using 1 damselfish.8) You'll thank yourself in the future for starting the correct way now rather than trying to turn a mess into the right way down the road. Your wallet/purse will thank you to.;)
     
    missionsix, Oct 19, 2008
    missionsix, Oct 19, 2008
    #4
  5. RavenMind

    RavenMind Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Okay, thanks. I appreciate your help!
     
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    RavenMind, Oct 19, 2008
    #5
  6. morau89

    morau89 Fire Shrimp

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    +1 on this advice
     
    morau89, Oct 19, 2008
    morau89, Oct 19, 2008
    #6