should i use a nitrite badge in main system?

Swingline77 · Sep 28, 2018

I picked up a nitrite badge to use in my quarantine tank. Since it's small, it seems like a good idea. It wasn't my intention to put one in my main system for various reasons. Should I though? It's a simple enough insurance, but is it even necessary at all? Thanks

Skep18 · Sep 28, 2018

Do you mean an ammonia badge? If not, do you have a link/photo of said badge?

Swingline77 · Sep 29, 2018

I do mean an ammonia badge.

Skep18 · Sep 29, 2018

Swingline77 said:
I do mean an ammonia badge.

I have one just cuz it can't hurt and is an easy visual aid. However, if you're at the point where its changing, you'll probably see it elsewhere in your tank first.

Swingline77 · Sep 29, 2018

Skep18 said:
...you'll probably see it elsewhere in your tank first.

That's sort of what I'm thinking. It seems the only ways that ammonia can spike in a tank of sufficient volume is the death of something with sufficient biomass or parameters swinging so wildly that there is a mass bacterial die off. Am I right about this?

Skep18 · Sep 29, 2018

Swingline77 said:
That's sort of what I'm thinking. It seems the only ways that ammonia can spike in a tank of sufficient volume is the death of something with sufficient biomass or parameters swinging so wildly that there is a mass bacterial die off. Am I right about this?

A missing fish. Corals all closing up. Cloudy water. Any number of things should show. If you have measurable ammonia, that's a right now issue. Whether you see it in a badge or a distressed tank, it won't go unnoticed.

Again, I have one. It certainly is a nice $6 piece of insurance for $XXXX systems. Its hard to argue against one even if they are 99% worthless (IMO). But its a nice at-a-glance tool I guess. That said, I've never seen one react really. IIRC they can take some time in a tank to react to the different discernible levels in a tank, as in a few hours. In an SPS tank that maybe worthless depending on the ammonia source/reason.

So to answer your question, if you like more tools and gizmos, go for it. If you like saving $6 and don't want to over complicate things (like false positives, wondering if its green vs yellow) don't get it.