8ppm is the highest an API test kit will read...so the ammonia reading was more than likely higher than 8ppm if a 50% water change didnt drop it down any.
I would do another 50% and retest and do more water changes as needed to get it to somewhere in the 3-5ppm range.
If he is using the API kit, it only reads up to 8ppm...so I would assume that the ammo level is actually much higher than this if he did a 50% WC and saw no change. Did you put in the whole bottle of ammo?
8ppm is the highest an API test kit will read...so the ammonia reading was more than likely higher than 8ppm if a 50% water change didnt drop it down any.
No! I(she not he!) Didn't put the whole bottle in! I followed the advice for fishless cycling on aquahobby.com which said a couple of teaspoons for a small tank of 40 litres or 1/2 cup for a 200L tank. So I put in an egg cup of ammonia, having first worked out that that amount in the cup was 10 teaspoons (2 teaspoons for 40L: 10 for 200 L) Getting a bit fed up now 'cos husband going on about it being a pain in the **** and we could have had some fish in it by now if I hadn't decided to do " the ammonia thing".
I don't know why you would give up, completing the cycle is a very enjoyable occasion, plus you know that your fish will be much happier and healthier in a cycled tank. Just keep up with the water changes to get the ammo down to around 4 to 5 ppm. Then add very small amounts of ammo to get it back to that level should it fall, usually when you start seeing nitrites. During the first few months, patience is key.
It only took about 1 teaspoon (or less) for my 55 gallon tank to get it in the 4-5ppm range. But not all ammonia you buy is the same concentration so results will vary from brand to brand.
Checked again today and still 6-8ppm ammonia but nitrates increasing so filter obviously kicking in. Done 50% water change just now and will check ammonia again after tea! Never thought about different brands of ammonia having different concentrations!
Checked again today and still 6-8ppm ammonia but nitrates increasing so filter obviously kicking in. Done 50% water change just now and will check ammonia again after tea! Never thought about different brands of ammonia having different concentrations!
I'm assuming that you mean nitrites. Check it after tea, then do another WC if still high, keep doing that until you get to the right level, then don't add anymore unless it actually falls.
Keep it up.