RyanP
New Member
I started a new FISH IN cycle in a 15G tank eight days ago with a 1oz bottle of Fritz turbo-start 900; shortly after, I introduced two small clownfish approximately 1 1/4". After researching this forum, I thought the Fritz 900 would quickly process ammonia within 24-48 hours. The tank has Caribsea live sand and Carib sea life rock (not live rock). The water is clear with good flow.
PH - 8.2
Temp - 78
Salinity - 1.025
However, my ammonia levels slowly climbed from 0.0 to 1.2 ppm by day 3. (Yes, the API test kit is known to be unreliable.) So I also got my LFS to test, and they also showed above 1.0 ppm. My Seachem alert badge also confirms ammonia present, turning a very light shade of green in the alert range 0.05 free ammonia). My clowns "seem" fine, active, and eating aggressively (very light feeding once daily).
On day four, with ammonia still showing above 1.0 ppm, I was concerned for the health of my fish. I spoke to LFS, and they recommended a 50% water change, skip feeding 24 hours, and re-adding a bottle of Turbo-start 900 in case of a rare dead bottle. I did this and borrowed different test kits to confirm readings. After the 50% water change, ammonia still read 0.7- 0.8 ppm on three different brands of testers. I added a new bottle of Fritz 900 with a different batch date from a different store's fridge after the water change (maybe unnecessary, but I did it anyway to be safe).
I am now on day 8.
Fish seem okay and will still eat aggressively (I am feeding VERY little and even skipped 2 days this week so as not to introduce even more ammonia); however, ammonia is creeping back up every day by about 0.10 (and not going down).
Currently, day 8:
Ammonia - 1.02 (Hanah), 1.2 (Red Sea), 1.0 (API)... and Seachem Alert badge (Light green alert @ 0.05)
Nitrite 0.5 (Red Sea), 0.5 (API)
Why are the 2x doses of turbo start over 8 days not decreasing Ammonia? I understand these ammonia test kits aren't accurate below 0.25, but they shouldn't all be reading above 1.0, including the alert badge turning light green.
Thoughts or recommendations? I wouldn't be so stressed if this weren't a fish-IN cycle. I don't want to harm these fish, but ammonia is not coming down with bottle bac - only increasing daily.
PH - 8.2
Temp - 78
Salinity - 1.025
However, my ammonia levels slowly climbed from 0.0 to 1.2 ppm by day 3. (Yes, the API test kit is known to be unreliable.) So I also got my LFS to test, and they also showed above 1.0 ppm. My Seachem alert badge also confirms ammonia present, turning a very light shade of green in the alert range 0.05 free ammonia). My clowns "seem" fine, active, and eating aggressively (very light feeding once daily).
On day four, with ammonia still showing above 1.0 ppm, I was concerned for the health of my fish. I spoke to LFS, and they recommended a 50% water change, skip feeding 24 hours, and re-adding a bottle of Turbo-start 900 in case of a rare dead bottle. I did this and borrowed different test kits to confirm readings. After the 50% water change, ammonia still read 0.7- 0.8 ppm on three different brands of testers. I added a new bottle of Fritz 900 with a different batch date from a different store's fridge after the water change (maybe unnecessary, but I did it anyway to be safe).
I am now on day 8.
Fish seem okay and will still eat aggressively (I am feeding VERY little and even skipped 2 days this week so as not to introduce even more ammonia); however, ammonia is creeping back up every day by about 0.10 (and not going down).
Currently, day 8:
Ammonia - 1.02 (Hanah), 1.2 (Red Sea), 1.0 (API)... and Seachem Alert badge (Light green alert @ 0.05)
Nitrite 0.5 (Red Sea), 0.5 (API)
Why are the 2x doses of turbo start over 8 days not decreasing Ammonia? I understand these ammonia test kits aren't accurate below 0.25, but they shouldn't all be reading above 1.0, including the alert badge turning light green.
Thoughts or recommendations? I wouldn't be so stressed if this weren't a fish-IN cycle. I don't want to harm these fish, but ammonia is not coming down with bottle bac - only increasing daily.
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