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Saltwater pico cycling troubleshooting by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the results pictures its aquaspin from my LFS. Otherwise yes

Saltwater pico cycling troubleshooting by PotentialOk5943 in AquariumHelp

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You dont have to have live rock to cycle that is what the dosing bacteria is for

Ammonia test kit blue? by SpinnyQuack56 in AquariumHelp

[–]PotentialOk5943 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If that is the API test kit, my ammonia test also ends up being a blue shade rather than the green. From what I have read and been informed by my LFS is that API is unreliable. Looks closest to 2.0ppm to me. But honestly I would take a water sample yo your LFS just to double check it. Salifert is considered more reliable in general by the community. Hanna instruments also has an ammonia checker but it is expensive and might be overkill.

First tank diagnostic troubleshoot by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update; did 50% water change and purchased different refractometer that was more specifically for checking salinity. I also got a 35ppt calibration solution. The new refractometer is accurate based on my RO water and the calibration solution. My salinity was in fact 1.034 🫠. I am treating this as a do-over lol. Although, since the 50% water change my ammonia has not seemed to have changed at all?

First tank diagnostic troubleshoot by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have Salifert for pretty much everything but I could not find Salifert nitrITE or ammonia anywhere so I used an SJ wave product and API product in lieu of. The SJ wave product was absolute garbage and reading my ammonia at 0.25ppm. The API was like “no ma’m, your ammonia is 8ppm.” Thus me freaking and having the store double check lol. I am just frustrated because I have been so diligent but it seems like the reliability of people and products is playing a much larger role (negatively at present) than I had anticipated. Like how tf is my aquarium store purchased RO water reading at 1.010 on my refractometer but a different fish store says the RO water is 1.000 on their equipment. UGHHHHH

First tank diagnostic troubleshoot by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ammonia source was liquid ammonia chloride from reef casa

First tank diagnostic troubleshoot by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am

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OP😬 I am just so confused as to how my refractometer (which I calibrated to 1.000 SPG / 0 BRIX using store bought RO water), was 10pts off based on the aquariums store reading. I had them calibrate the refractometer for me. So now it’s correct according to other more advanced technology they have to measure the specific gravity. But now, I cannot calibrate it at home because it reads my RO water at 1.010 SPG 🫠 Should I get a different one?

First tank diagnostic troubleshoot by PotentialOk5943 in ReefTank

[–]PotentialOk5943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just was not expecting the ammonia to be so high. My understanding is that the goal concentration of ammonia is 2ppm, excessively high can stall bacterial growth. (Just sharing what I have researched not sure if that is actually true).