Problems with the nitrogen cycle

[Alex2002]

I started my nano tank with Prodibio Biodigest on 26 February, and on 12 March I started using Modern Reef on the advice of the specialist in the shop. In the last 3-4 days I have noticed algae appearing in small specks on the stones (I guess this means the algae change has started). The lighting is on 12 hours a day.
I have measured very high values in the most recent measurements. When using Modern Reef nitribac it says to add Ammomix (ammonium chloride) up to 2 ppm, however my ammonia levels have not dropped for days, my nitrite level is 0.9 mg/l, but what worries me most is the nitrate level is around 40.
The only thing on the side of the bottle says make water change if pH drops below 7, but my pH is around 7.9-8, so I waited until now.
I was also worried that the water test might not be right. I measure my ammonia with Salifert, so that's definitely valid, but all my other values are measured with a JBL water test.
Can you help me with what I should do in such a case, because I'm pretty clueless at the moment.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Jekyl]

Stop dosing ammonia. Do a water change to get nitrate below 20. Add a fish or 2 and take it slowly. Your tank is ready.

 

[Alex2002]

Stop dosing ammonia. Do a water change to get nitrate below 20. Add a fish or 2 and take it slowly. Your tank is ready.

Thank you for your quick reply. Last time I added 5 ml a week ago, but since then the ammonia has stagnated at 1.5 mg/l and refuses to go down.
And I read that fish can only be added when both ammonia and nitrite are already 0.

 

[Jekyl]

Thank you for your quick reply. Last time I added 5 ml a week ago, but since then the ammonia has stagnated at 1.5 mg/l and refuses to go down.
And I read that fish can only be added when both ammonia and nitrite are already 0.

What test are you using for ammonia? When dosing did you account for the displacement of the sand and rocks?

 

[Alex2002]

What test are you using for ammonia? When dosing did you account for the displacement of the sand and rocks?

I use a Salifert professional test to measure.
Yes, I took into account how much water the stone and sand would displace when dosing, as I had to add 1 drop per litre.

 

[Jekyl]

I use a Salifert professional test to measure.
Yes, I took into account how much water the stone and sand would displace when dosing, as I had to add 1 drop per litre.

Let the ammonia get to zero and then follow what I previously said then. Either way your tank is already converting ammonia as proven by the nitrate reading.

 

[Alex2002]

Let the ammonia get to zero and then follow what I previously said then. Either way your tank is already converting ammonia as proven by the nitrate reading.

Alright, I'll wait patiently. Thank you very much for your help!

 

[Alex2002]

Let the ammonia get to zero and then follow what I previously said then. Either way your tank is already converting ammonia as proven by the nitrate reading.

One more question, while I'm waiting for my ammonia to go down, if the stone really starts to algae, can I add a cleaning animal, or should I wait for the ammonia to go down and add anything after the water change?

 

[Jekyl]

One more question, while I'm waiting for my ammonia to go down, if the stone really starts to algae, can I add a cleaning animal, or should I wait for the ammonia to go down and add anything after the water change?

You won't get algae issues for a few weeks. Even then it doesn't get really bad for months.

What size tank and are you in the US?

 

[Alex2002]

You won't get algae issues for a few weeks. Even then it doesn't get really bad for months.

What size tank and are you in the US?

Ok then, I just didn't know how much algae growth to expect, because the local aquarists put in crabs and snails to avoid algae problems (I don't really believe them anymore though).
This is a 72 liter (19 gallon) nano tank. I figured I'd get into the hobby first, and then start a real big reef later.
No, I live in Europe, in Hungary.

 

[Jekyl]

Ok then, I just didn't know how much algae growth to expect, because the local aquarists put in crabs and snails to avoid algae problems (I don't really believe them anymore though).
This is a 72 liter (19 gallon) nano tank. I figured I'd get into the hobby first, and then start a real big reef later.
No, I live in Europe, in Hungary.

You're definitely going to need snails and crabs. They are your clean up crew. Once you add fish you can also add some of these. They will eat algae as well as any left over food. Start slow and be diverse in your selection. Each different animal specializes in different things. To start, maybe 1 or 2 hermit crabs and a variety of what ever snail options you have available. Once algae starts getting bad you can add more as needed.

 

[Alex2002]

You're definitely going to need snails and crabs. They are your clean up crew. Once you add fish you can also add some of these. They will eat algae as well as any left over food. Start slow and be diverse in your selection. Each different animal specializes in different things. To start, maybe 1 or 2 hermit crabs and a variety of what ever snail options you have available. Once algae starts getting bad you can add more as needed.

Okay, I see. Thanks a lot for your help.