bio load??

Hi peeps im still in my cycle 13 days and ammonia is still 8.0 with my api ammonia kit ..the only bacteria I added was from the Caribbean sea instant cycle substrate. Im not to sure if its working at this point lol my mechanical filter needs to be replaced from the (diatom) algae blooming in it but im worried if I replace it I will dump what little bacteria I might have..should I just leave it in there and wait it out or hope there colonizing in my bio media I have in there and replace it ? :-/

 

I would retest or use a different kit, or have that value double checked a the fish store, that is what I would do first. That value can not be right. Next you can rinse the mechanical filtration in some SW to clean it and preserve any beneficial bacteria that might be growing.
Did you add ammonia to the tank? Did you add any organic matter to decay?

 

ok well me being the type of person to try anything ones...plz don't hate me lol I tried cycling with my pee just I good idea I had while drinking . well I had to know if it worked! so yea I added ammonia and only 2 lbs of live rock in about 16 gal of water..bad huh

 

I maybe added 1/4 cup of ...cough ..ammonia

 

I'm thinking that was way too much ammonia. I would do a water change ewwww!!

 

ewww! oh come on now its as natural as fish pee . im filling up my 55 now to help dilute it . but still wandering if I have a biological colony ? or did I just give then plenty to eat lol?

 

I have read about that, and it's a little more common than some realize. Comes from the early experiments with fishless cycling. Hey, it worked.

Not positive here, but your ammonia may be too high. Either way though, 13 days is not a long time. The nitrogen cycle can take up to 8 weeks. I'd suggest adding more rocks and getting the tank filled, then add more ammonia if necessary to get it to around 2 ppm.

 

Thanks Mr. bill . so do you think me adding the extra 55 gal will help my situation? more rock is not in the budget this month...

 

A water change does seem in order.

If you're not in a hurry then you did not need to add more than a pinch of fish food every couple days. The tank will cycle they always do, it may take 8 weeks but it will cycle.

If you in more of a hurry, do the water change and add some bacteria in a bottle.

 

I do think 8PPM is too high (if that is really the value). You want it to me much lower, between 1-2PPM at the highest IMO.