| Re: ok... HELP!
Initially, adding new LR can increase your ammonia as die off occurs. Especially if it's uncured.
Long term, adding more LR, theoretically, will help to convert your ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate, the end product of the nitrifying cycle, is exported by anaerobic bacteria deep within the LR and the sand bed.
If you are testing for ammonia that wasn't there before the new LR was added, then a mini cycle has occurred and a WC is in order. Upwards of 50% may be necessary to relieve, current live stock in the tank, of the irritating compound. |