[Plinkploop]

Has the tank been through a cycle yet? I'd stop with the ammo lock as it's not a long term solution and it could be getting in the way of your bacteria building. I've tended to build ammonia to 4 for larger tanks/ heavily populated or 2 for nano/ low bioload before I do the initial water change. Are you using active substrate, adding ammonia or attempting a fish in cycle?

 

[Plinkploop]

It hasn't been through a cycle yet. I was going for fish in since that was what I was used to. This is the first tank I've set up since taking a break from it 7 or so years ago.

I understand, I've used feeder guppies from my colonies to start cycles in some situations, no judgments. I would let ammonia build to between 2 and 4, keep an eye on behaviour of the guppies and only use ammo lock in an "emergency" (fish struggling, sudden high spike).