Ammonia question

[Marella]

I've just done a 50% water change and my ammonia levels are still the same. I took a reading before the water change (4ppm) shortly after the water change (4ppm). The readings have remained the same for the past week, even after daily dosing of Stability to promote nitrifying bacteria growth. I'm recycling my tank since it crash last Sunday, and have removed all dead matter. Am I doing something wrong because it seems odd that my ammonia levels would be constant after a big water change.

Parameters:
SG 1.023
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm
Temp 80 degrees
pH 8.4
dKH 14

[Hardhead Cat]

I hate to ask this question, but if your ammonia test kit is measuring at the top of its range (4ppm) then it might have been much higher, it's just the test doesn't measure it. I've had this happen with both ammonia and phosphates when the test kits only measure a narrow range.

OR

How shortly after your water change did you test? If the tank is cycling, it will go up again quickly, especially ammonia - - since you don't show any nitrites/nitrates in there yet.

My $.02.

HHC

[Wiskey]

You probably have allot of decaying matter in your tank, I assume you don't have any living things (fish, corals, ect,..) in this tank correct? If so then I would stop worrying about water changes and dosing Stability and just let the cycle take it's course.

How high does your ammonia kit read? It is possible that your kit doesn't really read accurately above 4PPM?

Whiskey

[Marella]

The test kit reads to 12ppm so it could be between 4 and 8ppm. Nothing living except some wierd looking worms that recently appeared. Also, is it wise to cycle with a cleanup crew?

[Hardhead Cat]

If the cycle goes high enough it will kill cleanup crews (crabs, snails, etc.). I would take them out if you can.

HHC

[Wiskey]

No, pull the cleaning crew. I would just let nature take it's corse in this situation, once the cycle is done do your big water change then, and slowly add you livestock, not too much at once.

Whiskey

[Marella]

Don't have a cleanup crew yet, was just wondering if they would help in the process.

[Caoineag]

Just a note, a lot of those products for cycling, artificially affect your ammonia reading, either too high or too low just by virtue of what they are. I highly recommmend that you stop adding it and just let nature take its course, it will be faster without the chemical.

[Graham]

Agreed - leave it be for a couple weeks. I'd add nothing and then try testing everything again at that point. You don't want to rush this.

[Marella]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll wait a couple of weeks before I test it again.