Quarantine tank ammonia

Colten · Sep 16, 2016

So I set up a 10 gallon quarantine a week ago and added a yellow tang. I seeded the tank with a handful of bioballs and filter pad from the DT. Also using water from the DT. The second day I tested ammonia and it was .25. I did a water change and added cupramine. Everyday I tested for ammonia and it keeps getting higher, today it is at 1.0. I'm getting tired of doing water changes everyday and about to throw in the towel and just put the tang in the DT, I feel like I'm putting him through torture. Is there something I am doing wrong?

helen ann · Sep 16, 2016

Do you have a HOB - either an Aquaclear or Bio-wheel powerfilter - for filtration/ammonia break down in QT (Stole this from @Humblefish).

donnievaz · Sep 16, 2016

Get some Microbacter7 or other suitable bacteria in a bottle. I had the same issue in my QT and that was enough to help. I have an Aquaclear on mine as well. You definitely need something for the bacteria to colonize on/in even if it's as simple as an air driven sponge filter.

Duke4Life · Sep 16, 2016

For now though you'll have 2 continue to do water changes I hate to say. There's nothing that can be done fast that will solve. Just keep with it and good luck, it's not fun.

Colten · Sep 16, 2016

I have a HOB and filter sponge in there, if I add Fluval Cycle bacteria while cupramine is in there, will it just kill the bacteria?

DeniseAndy · Sep 16, 2016

Do you have a ammonia badge or are you using a test kit? In a QT with only fish, we really only want to detect the harmful ammonia, not total. The seachem ammonia badge will give you a better idea of your water quality.

Empress · Sep 16, 2016

With Cupermine you need the ammonia badge as liquid tests will you give you false results.

Humblefish · Sep 16, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
Do you have a ammonia badge or are you using a test kit? In a QT with only fish, we really only want to detect the harmful ammonia, not total. The seachem ammonia badge will give you a better idea of your water quality.

Empress said:
With Cupermine you need the ammonia badge as liquid tests will you give you false results.

^^This & this.

Testing for ammonia while copper is present in the water will yield false positives. However, the Seachem ammonia alert badge still works even in the presence of copper.