Help with quarantine tank

[BettyC]

I have a 10 gal tank se up with Aquaclear 20 power filter, heater, and several pieces pvc. Had a shrimp, crab, and snails in while waving for DT to cycle. I had ammonia in this-he QT all while critters were in. I did daily 3-5 gal WC, addded Fluval Cycle then Stability. Also added Prime with stability. I was testing .25+ every day using API. Do I understand right that API not always accurate? Critters didn't seem stressed or troubled. DT cycled, so moved critters to DT. They were in QT 2 weeks. Critters have been out of QT since Friday, and still reading .25 ammonia. What more can I do to get ammonia down before I get my 1st fish for quarantine??

 

[JEREMY82]

Give the tank some time if it is still young

 

[JEREMY82]

Lot of ppl use damsels to help cycle but some ppl say it's cruel to use em .

 

[BettyC]

Lot of ppl use damsels to help cycle but some ppl say it's cruel to use em .

That's what lfs suggested.

 

[BettyC]

Give the tank some time if it is still young

So, just keep it running and wait? It will eventually cycle?

 

[mcarroll]

Unless you are QT'ing tiny fish I'd suggest taking the break you have now between critters to upgrade the QT to something more size-appropriate....a 15 or 20+ would be better for most reef fish. A 40B or 50G would be best for anything even close to "large".

2¢

 

[BettyC]

Unless you are QT'ing tiny fish I'd suggest taking the break you have now between critters to upgrade the QT to something more size-appropriate....a 15 or 20+ would be better for most reef fish. A 40B or 50G would be best for anything even close to "large".

2¢

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a biocube 32; no final decision on fish yet, but assume they will need to be small.

 

[mcarroll]

I could have been more specific....."tiny" = neon goby or barnacle blenny size, for example. Anything bigger and the upgrade schedule I suggested "ought" to apply.

And don't forget to outfit your QT as naturalistically as possible. At minimum I'd have plenty of fake plants so there's a lot of cover. If possible, I'd have a little live rock or live sand in there....plus anything else you can think of to make it less prison-like. It really matters!