Ammonia in a quarantine tank

[Slicktop]

Just got 2 blue throat triggers 2 days ago and quarantine tank has ammonia reading of .25. after 30% water change. Cannot tell a difference after water change, still reading .25. Can fish tolerate or would you put in DT now or wait and until morning ? Checked DT tank and no ammonia ..

 

[JasonK84]

Are there any meds in the QT? If not use an ammonia detoxifier like Prime. If you are running copper then this won't work and will actually make things worse.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Just got 2 blue throat triggers 2 days ago and quarantine tank has ammonia reading of .25. after 30% water change. Cannot tell a difference after water change, still reading .25. Can fish tolerate or would you put in DT now or wait and until morning ? Checked DT tank and no ammonia ..

What test are you using? API is notorious for a false positive, especially if you are using copper. do you have a Seachem ammonia badge? If not get one, API measures total ammonia and the badge measures free ammonia (harmful to fish). If you’re not sure I would do another WC ASAP as ammonia will just create problems for your new fish.
DO NOT add to your DT unless you possibly want to QT all of your fish shortly.

 

[Slicktop]

What test are you using? API is notorious for a false positive, especially if you are using copper. do you have a Seachem ammonia badge? If not get one, API measures total ammonia and the badge measures free ammonia (harmful to fish). If you’re not sure I would do another WC ASAP as ammonia will just create problems for your new fish.
DO NOT add to your DT unless you possibly want to QT all of your fish shortly.

I tested my DT and API test shows zero. So I am guessing test may be right. I also tested QT before I got the new fish and was zero, now .25. I will go to local fish store tomorrow and get an ammonia badge. I love these fish and both were out swimming around before water change. I just added a large piece of live rock from DT. Gonna let it ride tonight ..

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I tested my DT and API test shows zero. So I am guessing test may be right. I also tested QT before I got the new fish and was zero, now .25. I will go to local fish store tomorrow and get an ammonia badge. I love these fish and both were out swimming around before water change. I just added a large piece of live rock from DT. Gonna let it ride tonight ..

Just curious what size QT tank and how often are you feeding? I feed any QT fish multiple times a day to keep them fat and healthy and typically do a WC every 3-4 days

 

[Slicktop]

QT tank is 30 gallons, I changed 8 gallons tonight. I put a whole shrimp in tank this afternoon for about 3 hours to see if fish would eat and then removed it before water change. No other feedings yet.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

QT tank is 30 gallons, I changed 8 gallons tonight. I put a whole shrimp in tank this afternoon for about 3 hours to see if fish would eat and then removed it before water change. No other feedings yet.

What did you do for a bio filter? How long have the fish been in QT? If they were just added you didn’t add any bag water did you?

 

[Slicktop]

Tank is full of live rock and have whisper filter with bio pre-filter. No water from bag the fish came in was added to QT tank. I also have cheato in the tank for nutrients.

 

[Slicktop]

Fish have been in QT 3 days.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Tank is full of live rock and have whisper filter with bio pre-filter. No water from bag the fish came in was added to QT tank. I also have cheato in the tank for nutrients.

If you run copper to treat for ich/velvet that rock will absorb it and make it harder to maintain therapeutic levels. You will also kill the Chaeto I believe and now it cannot go back into a DT sump unless you let it go fallow for 76 days after your fish leave QT. A good QT is the tank, HOB filter, airstone, heater,and a sponge from your DT sump for bacteria with a bottle of biospira. This way after QT you can disinfect it and put it in the garage until you need it again without ruining rock or Chaeto.

 

[4FordFamily]

BioSpira bacteria in a bottle is liquid gold for battling ammonia. You should see how packed our quarantines are (@HotRocks and I). BioSpira clears it up overnight any time we dump a bottle in. Much more reliable than Dr Tims.

 

[Slicktop]

I will do my best to get some today. In the meantime I have added live rock from my DT, thinking about adding some substrate from DT to get me through until i can get some bacteria. I have not checked anything since last night, no medications in the tank and I have had the triggers since Wednesday. They were both out yesterday swimming around but will hide if I approach the tank. I had a whole shrimp in the tank yesterday for @ 3 hours. I did not see them eating, my concern now is both Ammonia and feeding them. I found a tetra bacteria online that I can pick up today. I am having a hard time finding someone open today that carries the BioSpria bacteria. Any suggestions to get me through the next few days is appreciated. I do plan on changing another 30% today. Another question, would the water from my display be better than newly made water when making another water change today? These triggers are really nice and my mission is to get through quarantine.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I will do my best to get some today. In the meantime I have added live rock from my DT, thinking about adding some substrate from DT to get me through until i can get some bacteria. I have not checked anything since last night, no medications in the tank and I have had the triggers since Wednesday. They were both out yesterday swimming around but will hide if I approach the tank. I had a whole shrimp in the tank yesterday for @ 3 hours. I did not see them eating, my concern now is both Ammonia and feeding them. I found a tetra bacteria online that I can pick up today. I am having a hard time finding someone open today that carries the BioSpria bacteria. Any suggestions to get me through the next few days is appreciated. I do plan on changing another 30% today. Another question, would the water from my display be better than newly made water when making another water change today? These triggers are really nice and my mission is to get through quarantine.

No fresh RO saltwater would best because it won’t have any biological material in it to convert to ammonia. The rock and sand will also absorb copper and make it hard to maintain therapeutic levels. I would not use live rock or substrate for the same reason and then it cannot go back into your DT I’d placed in a QT tank. The best way to manage ammonia right now until you get bacteria is doing W/C’s

 

[Jeffmlc]

BioSpira bacteria in a bottle is liquid gold for battling ammonia. You should see how packed our quarantines are (@HotRocks and I). BioSpira clears it up overnight any time we dump a bottle in. Much more reliable than Dr Tims.

How much do you add to the tank in that situation?

 

[4FordFamily]

How much do you add to the tank in that situation?

Depends on tank size. My 55 has 4 large fish in it I use half bottle for that. My 125 with dozens in quarantine at a time a bottle suffices.

 

[Jeffmlc]

Ok I just added half the bottle to a 20g probably a little to much

 

[Jeffmlc]

I have 1 small imp angle, 2 small green chromis and 1 yellow back wrasse in one tank. In the other small tang, 2 red saddleback anthias and 2 small chromis a little cramped for sure.

 

[Slicktop]

I used Dr.Tims, the bottle was rated for 30 Gallons. The QT is actually a 20 long. I also have lots of live rock in the QT Tank. I dumped the whole bottle in and have not had any issues. No more ammonia. Bottle reads cannot overdose. You should be fine.

 

[Slicktop]

I used a whole bottle of Dr Tims on a 20 gallon with no issues. Bottle says you cannot overdose. You will be fine, watch ammonia and if any rise add the rest.