New QT Measures Ammonia

tfrechette · 12/21/2011, 01:44 PM

Set up a QT with a power head and heater. Took 10 gallons from DT and made 15 new gallons of SW.

DT ammonia measures 0
QT ammonia measures .5

Using same test kit(API); this doesn't make sense to me.

Any ideas???

I don't have a thermometer in the QT yet. It did feel rather warm. Could that cause the 10 gallons from the DT to change ammonia levels?

windyridge · 12/21/2011, 01:52 PM

See if you can reproduce the results first. Might just be operator error.

Meshmez · 12/21/2011, 02:12 PM

how long has the water been in the qt? my guess is you scooped up some poop/detritus which is now decomposing in the QT with nothing to break it down.

tfrechette · 12/21/2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windyridge

See if you can reproduce the results first. Might just be operator error.

I tested the QT; it measured .5. Then measured the DT; it measured 0. Then measured the QT again and was still was .5.

tfrechette · 12/21/2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meshmez

how long has the water been in the qt? my guess is you scooped up some poop/detritus which is now decomposing in the QT with nothing to break it down.

Pumped out from the DT on Sunday and then measured both tanks yesterday (Tuesday).

I guess I should have made all new water. I have a new filter sponge that's been in the DTs sump for 4 weeks. Maybe I'll add that to the QT and measure. Probably do a water change in the QT.

12/21/2011, 01:44 PM	#1
tfrechette Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Jose Posts: 123	New QT Measures Ammonia Set up a QT with a power head and heater. Took 10 gallons from DT and made 15 new gallons of SW. DT ammonia measures 0 QT ammonia measures .5 Using same test kit(API); this doesn't make sense to me. Any ideas??? I don't have a thermometer in the QT yet. It did feel rather warm. Could that cause the 10 gallons from the DT to change ammonia levels?

12/21/2011, 01:52 PM	#2
windyridge Fish Mother Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Otselic, NY Posts: 1,403	See if you can reproduce the results first. Might just be operator error. __________________ 92G Mixed reef, SCA-302 skimmer, 15g sump w/fuge & Eheim Compact Plus @650 gph, AI Sol Blue, Koralia 750 &Tunze Nanostream 6025, Apex Jr,Tomini, 6-Line, Brittle star, damsels, Gramma, RBTA/clown, PJ c Current Tank Info: 92G Corner Bowfront Mixed Reef

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12/21/2011, 02:12 PM	#3
Meshmez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,030	how long has the water been in the qt? my guess is you scooped up some poop/detritus which is now decomposing in the QT with nothing to break it down.