Cycling with Dr. Tim's ammonia showing at over 8ppm??

[AbstractSoul]

Hi, so I started cycling my tank for about 2.5 weeks now. Every time I add Dr. Tim's ammonia chloride, the test kit shows the ammonia is over 8ppm. I followed the instruction of adding 4 drops per gallon the first time and then reduced it to 2 drops per gallon. I'm using the API freshwater test kit to check ammonia but I am using the saltwater color card. I checked and the reagents are not expired. I've been logging for 2.5 weeks now and I saw a reduction in ammonia until 0.25ppm and same with nitrite from 8ppm+ to 0 now so I decided to add 1ppm more ammonia but it suddenly shows 8ppm+ NH3. I wonder what I'm doing wrong.

 

[fishywishy]

It’s normal for your ammonia to still be a bit elevated right now, but not that high. How many times have you added ammonia? You should only need to do it once if you did it properly. Also, freshwater and saltwater test kits aren’t the same. You’ll need to get the saltwater test kit to get accurate readings (preferably from a different brand).

 

[AbstractSoul]

It’s normal for your ammonia to still be a bit elevated right now, but not that high. How many times have you added ammonia? You should only do it once. Also, freshwater and saltwater test kits aren’t the same. You’ll need to get the saltwater test kit to get accurate readings (preferably from a different brand).

This is my second time adding ammonia, it should've been equivalent to 1ppm according to the instructions. I looked around and most people said that the API uses same test kit for ammonia fresh/salt water. What test kid would you recommend for testing ammonia?

 

[fishywishy]

This is my second time adding ammonia, it should've been equivalent to 1ppm according to the instructions. I looked around and most people said that the API uses same test kit for ammonia fresh/salt water. What test kid would you recommend for testing ammonia?

Maybe other people do it differently, but i only need to add ammonia one time to cycle the tank.

Salifert and Red Sea test kits are good options.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm using the API freshwater test kit to check ammonia but I am using the saltwater color card.

I think this may be part of your frustration. I can't be absolutely sure, but I would seriously doubt you could really use the API freshwater ammonia kit on a saltwater tank, but then compare the color to the saltwater card.

And even if that test did "work", most reefers here don't like or recommend the API test. They are generally not regarded as accurate.

I'd strongly suggest you get a Salifert ammonia test, they are inexpensive and trusted here at R2R:

https://www.chewy.com/salifert-aqua...ug3QFxz7OzRizUh_wynGEoUrwiC2hepsaAjHgEALw_wcB

Good luck with your cycle!