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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Questions about ammonium
Hey guys quick question. I am currently using the API NH3/NH4 ammonia test kit. Does this test for ammonium aswell? Because I am currently cycling my tank and I have recieved 0 Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 Nitrite (Test nitrate/Nitrite with a different kit) the whole 2 weeks  . I am afraid to add any other fish because my cycle might have not even started  . The reason why I asked this is because the last time I checked my pH was 6.3, so I am having Ammonium instead of Ammonia in my cycle. Or do I even have any ammonium at all? Help! | 
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 10gallonmadness  I am currently using the API NH3/NH4 Ammonia test kit. Does this test for ammonium aswell? | NH4 is ammonium, so yes, an NH3/NH4 test kit would detect both ammonia and ammonium. | |
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mathas NH4 is ammonium, so yes, an NH3/NH4 test kit would detect both ammonia and ammonium. | Ok, but that still leaves one question... why has it been 0 the whole cycle? | |
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| What test kit is it? | |
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by matt6765 What test kit is it? | API NH3/NH4 Ammonia tester. | |
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 10gallonmadness Ok, but that still leaves one question... why has it been 0 the whole cycle? | Is this the tank in your aquarium info marked as a planted tank? If so, the plants are your most likely answer.
In her book Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, author Diana Walstad talks about plants preferring ammonium to nitrites or nitrates as their source of nitrogen: Quote:
In summary, there is considerable experimental evidence in the scientific literature showing that aquatic plants vastly prefer ammonium over nitrates as their N source. Even in the presence of abundant nitrates, aquatic plants will be sifting the water 24 hours a day for ammonium.
| It's possible that your plants are using the ammonium before your test kit has a chance to detect it. | |
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July 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mathas Is this the tank in your aquarium info marked as a planted tank? If so, the plants are your most likely answer.
In her book Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, author Diana Walstad talks about plants preferring ammonium to nitrites or nitrates as their source of nitrogen:
It's possible that your plants are using the ammonium before your test kit has a chance to detect it. | Oh... Yea I have 2 clumps of Java Moss right now. I wasnt gonna stock it heavily until after the cycle. So is my tank cycled or not cycled? | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 10gallonmadness Oh... Yea I have 2 clumps of Java Moss right now. I wasnt gonna stock it heavily until after the cycle. So is my tank cycled or not cycled? | IMO, no. If you've never shown ammonia, which is what the nitrifying bacteria needs to convert to nitrites and then nitrates, it would suggest your tank wasn't cycled. Also, with your PH being so low, it's ammonium and not ammonia. Ammonium is less toxic to the fish than ammonia, but ammonia is needed for the nitrifying bacteria to develop.
Could you get some crushed coral to bump your PH up to around 7 and put your Java Moss somewhere else until your tank can cycle? | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Good morning. How long has your tank been up and running and stocked? | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby IMO, no. If you've never shown ammonia, which is what the nitrifying bacteria needs to convert to nitrites and then nitrates, it would suggest your tank wasn't cycled. Also, with your PH being so low, it's ammonium and not ammonia. Ammonium is less toxic to the fish than ammonia, but ammonia is needed for the nitrifying bacteria to develop.
Could you get some crushed coral to bump your PH up to around 7 and put your Java Moss somewhere else until your tank can cycle? | Ok I got all (atleast I think) of the Java Moss out. Now about this crushed coral when I get it what should I do with it, where should I place it, how can I do this without shocking my fish, and also I have driftwood. Would it help if I placed some limestone in there? | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| When you get the crushed coral, rinse it in small handfuls very, very well (it'll cloud up your tank if you don't). I usually sprinkle it all over my substrate, but if you don't want it to show, you can put it under your substrate. Put a handful in your aquarium, wait 24 hours, test your PH and if it's still low, put in another handful, wait 24 hours, test your PH, etc. Crushed coral when used correctly will increase your PH naturally without shocking your fish. Once your PH is up, it'll stay up.
The driftwood is probably lowering your PH, so you should take it out of your aquarium until the tank cycles.
Please keep us posted on the progress of the tank and feel free to ask any questions. We'd be happy to answer them for you  | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby When you get the crushed coral, rinse it in small handfuls very, very well (it'll cloud up your tank if you don't). I usually sprinkle it all over my substrate, but if you don't want it to show, you can put it under your substrate. Put a handful in your aquarium, wait 24 hours, test your PH and if it's still low, put in another handful, wait 24 hours, test your PH, etc. Crushed coral when used correctly will increase your PH naturally without shocking your fish. Once your PH is up, it'll stay up.
The driftwood is probably lowering your PH, so you should take it out of your aquarium until the tank cycles.
Please keep us posted on the progress of the tank and feel free to ask any questions. We'd be happy to answer them for you | Ok. Thanks for the help. But once I put my driftwood in after the cycle would my Ph go down again because the tannins? | |
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July 20th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Yes, just keep an eye on your PH after you put in your driftwood for a few weeks so you don't lose your cycle.
Good luck! | |
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