Question: Unknown Ammonia Source

[Serinitie]

Hey there, as you can probably tell I'm new here : ). I just recently set up my tank for the axolotl I will be getting this next week. My problem is the steadily rising ammonia level. My tap water has a little ammonia in it, just about .25ppm. But today I measured the level in my tank and it was somewhere between 1-2ppm. The filter's been running for a couple days to make sure it's working, and the only things I've got in the tank are play sand, some silk plants, and a terracotta pot. So unless I am completely and utterly missing something (and seriously hoping I'm not), I am stumped as to why this is occurring. If anyone has any idea why this is occurring, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jen10s]

Hi there, have you been doing any water changes ?

My understanding is that your Ammonia will spike, then after that Nitrites and the final part of your cycle, you will get readings for Nitrates.

Most people doing a fish less cycle actually need to add a source of Ammonia to get it started (eg. Fish food, fish waste or dirty water from another tank), so in a way you're lucky it's done it by itself.

Do you have any readings for Nitrites or Nitrates ? If so, what are they ?

How are you testing your water, do you have a test kit and if so is it liquid or strips ? I would also recommend leaving the filter running all the time as that's one of the main areas where the good bacteria need to establish before you put your Axolotl in. If possible, maybe wait another week or so before getting your new little friend to ensure your cycle is well under way. :happy:

 

[Serinitie]

No, I have not been doing any water changes. In my searching through the internet (mostly here really) I haven't seen anywhere that the ammonia would spike, so maybe that's it? Both nitrites and nitrates are at 0 at the moment though. I'm testing my water with the API liquid test kit, and I do leave the filter running 24/7.

 

[layna]

You should have an air stone in your tank if you have no live plants and an internal filter, also, for a cycle to happen it goes Ammonia > Nitrite > NitrAte

So when you see the ammonia reducing the nitrite should rise,
then when the nitrite reduce you should see nitrAte rise
however whilst your still waiting to see nitrAtes and up untill the day before you add your axies, you should be adding ammonia into your tank, to keep feeding the beneficial bacteria

I did post a link to a website that explains fishless cycling very simply, a couple of weeks ago