ammonia level in my saltwater tank!?

Question

I have a 55 gal tank, live rock and live sand been in the tank for 3 weeks. I had just bought 250 dollars worth of sanils and hermit crab and star fish. all them are tank cleaners. but the ammonia level after my last test was so high that is more than 0.8. What can I do?! I didn't put any of the tank cleaners in my aquarium yet. what should i do to the tank cleaners and how can i reduce the ammonia level quickly?? Please help!

Answer 1

You need to add a product such as SeaChem's Prime or similar (not Stress Coat as this will only add to your bio load!). Prime will convert the toxic NH3 ammonia to much less toxic NH4 ammonium (it will also de-toxify the nitrites as well). This of coarse is only a temporary fix and your need to reduce your bio load and jump start your nitrogen cycle by the addition of "seasoned" filter media and/or live rock.

I recommend reading this article about the aquarium nitrogen cycle for more information:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html

Answer 2

Yeah, giving me heart failure - this is not good! Three weeks wasn't enough time for the tank to cycle and 250 dollars worth of animals is A LOT to add in the tank at one time cycled or not. This is bad news I hate to say. Here's a few steps you can take.

Add some saltwater TLC or some other bacteria supplement.
Do a partial water change 25 percent, it's not great to do them during the cycle but at some point there's no other option.
Try some Ammonia Detox by Kent.

See the problem is only time and patience finishes the cycle all you can do is control the symptoms (i.e. the ammonia spikes). I would not be surprised if you are also having spikes in your nitrates and nitrites.

All you can do is control the levels as best you can wait at least another 2-4 weeks before adding anything else and hope for the best. :(

Answer 3

All you can do now is to start over and do it right this time. When you "RUN IN" a tank, use Ammonium Chloride for the first Two Weeks. And only cover the substrate with Water while you do it, as this will save on buying salt. You are "Running In" the bacteria that live in the substrate Not The Water. You add Ammonium Chloride to the water every day for two weeks, that allows the bacteria to multiply in the correct order. If you add any organic substance to the water the wrong type of bacteria will establish themselves first, leaving very little habitable space left for your ammonia eating bacteria. Which is why you have high levels of ammonia in your tank today. You given VERY BAD ADVISE on how to set up a Salt Water Aquarium. I've been in this trade since 1974 and have studied with the best! I have used this method in hundreds of aquariums over the years, both fresh and salt water. I've even bred salt water fish at home.
And FORGET the STRESS COAT Advise...It's made with Aloe Vera..It's totally Organgic..It's like peeing in your tank. More people LOSE FISh when they use srtess coat..,.what a BS Product. I can't belive it's still being sold by any Legitimate Pet Store.

Answer 4

Three weeks is not enough time for the tank to cycle,therefore the elevated ammonia. It will be ready for livestock in two or three more weeks. If you reduce the ammonia levels now it will slow down the cycle process(the bacteria feed on ammonia.),don't add the livestock until the ammonia goes down to near zero.Then don't dump all of them in at once. Be patient,test your water and wait. Also you must test for Nitrites,the second part of the Nitrogen Cycle. Guessing by your ammonia level I think you will find that the Nitrite levels might be high too.

Answer 5

Too many new fish too fast! I had the same type of problem in a regular fresh water tank. They basically pee'd and poo'd their selves to death. Scanvengers don't take amonia out of the water. They add to it. Amonia more or less has to be naturally converted by good bacteria in the water. Check out drfostersmith.com for more detailed info. As far as quick recovery? Check your local pet store or Wal-Mart for tank chems like Stress Coat and PhUp and PhDown. They should have stuff for ammonia levels with all the others.

Answer 6

msot likely a fish death or feeding way to much. i asume the tank is not new as the nitrate level is high, what kind of filter, water flow do you have?? protein skimmer?? types of fish??? and anything at all about the tank, i would do a 25% water change bi-daily, hope you dont lose much, after your levels are ok, keep an eye daily for 3 weeks, bidaily for another month. continue witrh 10% weekly water changes for the life of the tank.

Answer 7

buy the tank clorine mix thinger. i forgot what it was called but it gets rid of the chlorine in the water. it should be found anywhere like walmart or pet co. also try getting the ammonia level slips and those tablets as well. they look kinda like alkaseltzer and are used kind of the same way