Water Change or Not?

[geowashlaw]

On Saturday, I moved all my eco-complete, plants, rocks, filters and fish from my 46g to my 90g. The only thing I changed was I added a small layer of fluorite and some smooth river stone on top of the EC. I'm getting a reading of about 1 - 1.5 ppm ammonia. When I added the water on Saturday, I dechlorinated with Ammo-Lock because I thought I may have a mini-cycle from the move. So, I'm wondering, should I add more Ammo-lock and let it go so that the mini-cycle can complete, or should I change some of the water. Nitrites are reading 0.

Thanks!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

When did you do your ammonia test? If you didn't add any fish, and if you didn't let your filters dry out you shouldn't be seeing any ammonia at all. What test kit do you have?

[geowashlaw]

I tested today ... so 4 days after the move ... my test kit is API ...

now that you mention it ... I forgot that I had added 6 glowlight tetras ... that was Sunday

[Little Embers]

I have heard/read that using Ammo Lock can give a false positive reading, not sure if that is correct though.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Even though they are small and your tank is 90 gallons, you really should have let the tank rest a few more days before adding it. With everything getting disturbed like it did, you likely did trigger a small cycle. The water change certainly would not be a bad idea.

Little Embers, you are correct, Ammo-lock can give false readings, however IME, the false readings don't generally show more then is really there. The false readings also depend greatly on the kind of test kit you use. Not all ammonia test kits will give you a reading for total ammonia, some only read free ammonia.

[geowashlaw]

Thanks! Just didn't know whether to change it or not. The A-L bottle says that the ammonia is not harmful to the fish once it is added, but that it can still be processed by the bacteria. So, I was wondering if I shouldn't just let the ammonia be there so the mini-cycle will get done faster. I'll change out about 25% of the water. The fish don't seem to be stressed by it. They are all acting normal.

[Northernguy]

Yes do a water change and leave your filter alone.Do not vacuum and do not feed for a couple of days!
If you are still reading ammonia do another water change tomorrow and so on.Change at least 40% so you are removing the toxins.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

The water change won't hurt but is not necessary since you are using ammo lock. The ammo lock binds a 4th Hydrogen electron to the NH3 to create Ammonium. Your test kit is reading ammonia but it is actually ammonium and at that level is not toxic at all.