How long does it take for ammonia to build up?

[Blueiz]

Clawlan,

Just wondering what kind of declor you use?

...
Add dechlorinator/dechloraminator of choice . Water must be conditioned before using Bio-Spira™ or the bacteria will die from the chlorine or chloramines normally present in tap water. However, ammonia-removing products like Ammo-Lock and Bio-Safe, which will give the bacteria of Bio-Spira nothing to feed on, must be avoided. However, water conditioners such as AmQuel®, Prime™ and Ammonia Detox may still used and should be used if you have to neutralize chloramines in your tap water.

Where did the underlined statement come from? There is nothing that will remove ammonia from your tank water except water changes, appropriate bacteria, or ammonia absorbing agents. Prime, ammo-lock, and all other products of the nature detoxify ammonia, however leave it available for the biological filter to consume. There are two different types of ammonia, one harmful to fish, the other virtually harmless to fish..these products transform ammonia into the harmless form.

Blue

 

[clawlan]

ok, just did a gravel vacuum/35% water change. hopefully that will help.

 

[Reddog80p]

Where did the underlined statement come from? There is nothing that will remove ammonia from your tank water except water changes, appropriate bacteria, or ammonia absorbing agents. Prime, ammo-lock, and all other products of the nature detoxify ammonia, however leave it available for the biological filter to consume. There are two different types of ammonia, one harmful to fish, the other virtually harmless to fish..these products transform ammonia into the harmless form.

Blue

The state ment came from: http://www.flippersandfins.net/CyclingBioSpiraHowTo.htm

Also from www.marineland.com :

BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and must be kept refrigerated until used. It can not be overdosed. Repeated dosing of your aquarium with ammonia removing liquids (such as BIO-Safe, Amquel, Ammo-lock and Aqua-Safe) can inhibit the beneficial action of BIO-Spira. Ammonia removing liquids should only be used to initially treat tap water. It is normal to have a small (<2 ppm) amount of ammonia or nitrate during the first few days after set-up. These concentrations are not harmful and will quickly drop to zero with proper use of BIO-Spira.

 

[clawlan]

The state ment came from: http://www.flippersandfins.net/CyclingBioSpiraHowTo.htm

Also from www.marineland.com :

BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and must be kept refrigerated until used. It can not be overdosed. Repeated dosing of your aquarium with ammonia removing liquids (such as BIO-Safe, Amquel, Ammo-lock and Aqua-Safe) can inhibit the beneficial action of BIO-Spira. Ammonia removing liquids should only be used to initially treat tap water. It is normal to have a small (<2 ppm) amount of ammonia or nitrate during the first few days after set-up. These concentrations are not harmful and will quickly drop to zero with proper use of BIO-Spira.

I see what you are saying now, it was just worded strangely. Yes, the bio-spira needs ammonia to eat so the bacteria lives. I was just concerned that it was spiking because the bacteria wasn't alive. I added some bio-coat to teh water also after i did the change. I am still testing at about 1ppm of ammonia though which is kind of making me nervous. I guess ill wait till tomorrow morning and test again.

 

[Blueiz]

The state ment came from: http://www.flippersandfins.net/CyclingBioSpiraHowTo.htm

Also from www.marineland.com :

BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and must be kept refrigerated until used. It can not be overdosed. Repeated dosing of your aquarium with ammonia removing liquids (such as BIO-Safe, Amquel, Ammo-lock and Aqua-Safe) can inhibit the beneficial action of BIO-Spira. Ammonia removing liquids should only be used to initially treat tap water. It is normal to have a small (<2 ppm) amount of ammonia or nitrate during the first few days after set-up. These concentrations are not harmful and will quickly drop to zero with proper use of BIO-Spira.

Im curious to know how it would inhibit.. As the ammonia is till there, just in a non toxic to fish form.. Guess they don't explain that part.

Blue

 

[clawlan]

Ok, tested again, holding at about 1ppm, maybe a tad more. I did the water change as stated in a previus post and I called the pet store. They said this is normal and should come down in a day or so. I really hope it does.