Ammonia Between 0ppm - 0.25ppm, High Range pH 8.0 and brown stuff

[coralreefexplore]

Well as the title states I have my Ammonia between 0ppm-0.25ppm. What can I do to lower it to the recommended 0ppm?

My pH is at 8.0. What can I do for this?

Also I had been running a Marineland LED for a temporary time frame. Now my Maxspect Razor 160w came in and I have this brown looking growth on my sand bed. What is it? Will post a pic soon.

Thanks for any help.

[Zack]

Why is your ammonia up firstly? Dead fish? Newly cycled? I'd dose prime to bring it down, but figure out the source first..

As for ph of 8.0, watch mr. saltwaters tank video on how to lower PH. Opening a window works fine for me, if your corals are doing well, don't chase numbers.

And for the last one, is it diatoms?

[jrossjr79]

sounds like a tank cycle to me, what is your readings on Nitirites and Nitrates?

And I agree with previous post, dont go chasing numbers, from what I been told what matters most is consistency. My PH usually runs a little low (but stays consistent), but all the tank mates are doing fine only because I dont chase numbers.

[coralreefexplore]

The nitrate was 0 and the nitrite was 0. My pH for some reason is always 8.0. and ammonia always been between 0 and .25. I guess I should just leave it alone. My corals are healthy. Only thing is I did lose a couple of fish.

CoralReefExplore

[Zack]

Any fish you lost that you didn't find? Could be your source of the problem.

Our tanks should never have ammonia in them after cycling. Very toxic to fish and corals.

[coralreefexplore]

I took them all out. But this just happened a few days ago.

CoralReefExplore

[Zack]

What do you think is causing your ammonia to be so high? Is it your test kit?

Corals don't fare well when ammonia is present.

[jrossjr79]

What about over feeding? I know over feeding will cause a spike in nitrates, but would it also cause a spike in ammonia?

Also what test are you using?

[coralreefexplore]

Api test

CoralReefExplore

[jrossjr79]

That could be your cause of ammonia readings right there, API is not very accurate. At least for me it never was, gave me ammonia readings when there was none, never gave me nitrites reading, and nitrates always gave me lower readings then what was actually there. Try getting a different test.

[coralreefexplore]

Thanks for your help and time. What test do y'all recommend?

CoralReefExplore

[coralreefexplore]

Here is a pic.

CoralReefExplore

[Zack]

Looks like diatoms to me.

[coralreefexplore]

That started right after I installed my 160w maxspect razor

CoralReefExplore

[Zack]

Razors have much more light output then the other lights, that in turn can cause diatoms, also are you using RO water?

[coralreefexplore]

Yes. I have the lights set to a max 55%

CoralReefExplore

[Scutterborn]

Also looks like diatoms to me. I wouldn't sweat it. You've greatly upgraded your lights. It's going to have an effect on the tank. This is one of them.


- Ben -

[coralreefexplore]

Ok. Thanks.

CoralReefExplore

[jrossjr79]

Thanks for your help and time. What test do y'all recommend?

CoralReefExplore

There are two different ones I like, Salifert and Nutrafin. While some others swear by Red Sea, I have not tried that one though, so I have no comment.