New Frags and Water Not Testing Good

tothe kids · 10/17/2007, 09:12 PM

I have a 125g about 2 months old now and was given 5 frags keya tree, Xenia and Zoas. Water has been testing great for last 3 weeks. Only fish are some Chromis and there was a black molly but died yesterday. So today I tested the water and got bad results

Ammonia .50
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 8.4

I have a sump with Chaeto and protein skimmer running since set up. about 100lbs of LR and 3" sand bed. All levels have been good till today last test was about 3 days ago before I added frags. Is it normal for the levels to spike a bit when adding new livestock?

kau_cinta_ku · 10/17/2007, 09:15 PM

it shouldn't raise from adding frags. perhaps the molly is what is causeing the ammonia. but hard to say as a small fish in a 125 gal. tank shouldn't do much.

Toddrtrex · 10/17/2007, 09:17 PM

Yea, I agree, that is odd that a molly would cause that much of a spike in a tank that size.

Is there a chance that the test kit is old?

But, in the meantime I would suggest a water change.

tothe kids · 10/17/2007, 09:19 PM

I'll try a water change and get new test kit and try again in a couple days. Was hoping the frags might have caused it.

Thanks for the quick responses.

coast2coast7390 · 10/17/2007, 10:01 PM

its something bigger in a 125 to cause a .5 spike
dont know what it could be with out you noticing

kevin2000 · 10/17/2007, 10:50 PM

Have your LFS test your water -- adding corals should have no impact on ammonia levels. Also .. some ammonia test kits will give you false readings if you use some chlorine/ammonia removal products.

bk_market · 10/17/2007, 10:51 PM

did u let the molly rot inside the tank? if it die and u take it out right away u should get any spike.

10/17/2007, 09:12 PM	#1
tothe kids Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 30	New Frags and Water Not Testing Good I have a 125g about 2 months old now and was given 5 frags keya tree, Xenia and Zoas. Water has been testing great for last 3 weeks. Only fish are some Chromis and there was a black molly but died yesterday. So today I tested the water and got bad results Ammonia .50 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 10 PH 8.4 I have a sump with Chaeto and protein skimmer running since set up. about 100lbs of LR and 3" sand bed. All levels have been good till today last test was about 3 days ago before I added frags. Is it normal for the levels to spike a bit when adding new livestock?

10/17/2007, 09:17 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Yea, I agree, that is odd that a molly would cause that much of a spike in a tank that size. Is there a chance that the test kit is old? But, in the meantime I would suggest a water change. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

10/17/2007, 09:15 PM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	it shouldn't raise from adding frags. perhaps the molly is what is causeing the ammonia. but hard to say as a small fish in a 125 gal. tank shouldn't do much.

10/17/2007, 09:19 PM	#4
tothe kids Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 30	I'll try a water change and get new test kit and try again in a couple days. Was hoping the frags might have caused it. Thanks for the quick responses.

10/17/2007, 10:01 PM	#5
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	its something bigger in a 125 to cause a .5 spike dont know what it could be with out you noticing

10/17/2007, 10:50 PM	#6
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Have your LFS test your water -- adding corals should have no impact on ammonia levels. Also .. some ammonia test kits will give you false readings if you use some chlorine/ammonia removal products.

10/17/2007, 10:51 PM	#7
bk_market Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bethesda MD / Arlington VA Posts: 203	did u let the molly rot inside the tank? if it die and u take it out right away u should get any spike.