Ammonia readings after 5 days

[nuwave59]

Hi!

I started my 30g tank 5 days ago. I have 25 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of base rock in it. I put a dead shrimp in it. a quite big one chopped in 3 parts cocktail shrimp size. My ammonia reading is 0.50 ppm. I wonder if I didn't put enough shrimp in there? Or can I expect it to raise more? Not that i'm in a hurry, but I don't want a mini-cycle.

 

[melosu58]

If you still have some of the shrimp in there it shoud get higher.

 

[nuwave59]

Yes, i'd say 50% of the shrimp is gone. So if I understand, I add some if none is left, or remove it when I reach 4 ppm?

 

[nuwave59]

Day 9, and I'm still at 0.50 ppm......I added another shrimp 2 days ago....it doesn't raise......do I add another one?

 

[paulweck]

no i wouldnt just wait till its all decomposed and if it hasnt spiked then the add another.

 

[nuwave59]

The 1st one is almost gone, the 2nd one I'd say half of it is gone. I'll wait a little, then add another one.

Thank you!

 

[paulweck]

Are u seeing any nitrate or nitrites in your testing?

 

[nuwave59]

I checked 2 days ago, and nothing yet. I'll look again tonight

 

[nuwave59]

Ammonia 0.50, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0.
One shrimp is gone, the other is still there (30%). I ate the others that I had . Can I add raw fish instead? Or otherwise, I'll buy more tomorrow.