QT Amonia Issue

dscola · 03/19/2007, 06:50 AM

I have been having issue controlling my ammonia and nitrite levels in my quarantine tank and wondered if anyone had any advice. My QT is a 12g eclipse system with a standard filter and a bio-wheel. I seeded the bio filter with a sponge I had sitting in my fuge for a couple of months. The tank was running for two days before I introduced its recent inhabitant â€“ a royal gramma. I have been doing 2g daily water changes at a minimum and I have been diligent about siphoning up any uneaten food when I do the changes. Despite all this, my ammonia levels are hovering between 0.5 and 1.0 ppm

The one non-textbook thing I did, which may be contributing to the problem, was that I had originally had a small Tupperware container full of non-live sand which I removed three days ago (four days into the quarantine) and because it was making cleaning the tank more difficult. I did this because I was originally planning to get a jawfish rather than the royal gramma.

At this point, I think Iâ€™m doing the gramma more harm than good in leaving him in the QT given the ammonia levels. He has been in for 7 days now with no sign of disease and heâ€™s eating well (prime reef). Iâ€™m considering moving him into my main tank tonight.

Any thoughts on whatâ€™s going on with my ammonia levels, and whether or not moving the gramma out now is a good idea would be appreciated.

dscola · 03/20/2007, 11:43 AM

Well, I got home last night and my amonia levels were still high so I moved the gramma into the new tank against all quarantine advice.

My plan for next time is to use a sponge again (I have one in my fuge now). I also read somewhere about filling a stocking with some sand and letting that sit in your tank for a while. Seems to make sense so I'll probably give that a try as well. Anybody had any experience with this method?

03/19/2007, 06:50 AM	#1
dscola Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Waldwick, NJ Posts: 37	QT Amonia Issue I have been having issue controlling my ammonia and nitrite levels in my quarantine tank and wondered if anyone had any advice. My QT is a 12g eclipse system with a standard filter and a bio-wheel. I seeded the bio filter with a sponge I had sitting in my fuge for a couple of months. The tank was running for two days before I introduced its recent inhabitant â€“ a royal gramma. I have been doing 2g daily water changes at a minimum and I have been diligent about siphoning up any uneaten food when I do the changes. Despite all this, my ammonia levels are hovering between 0.5 and 1.0 ppm The one non-textbook thing I did, which may be contributing to the problem, was that I had originally had a small Tupperware container full of non-live sand which I removed three days ago (four days into the quarantine) and because it was making cleaning the tank more difficult. I did this because I was originally planning to get a jawfish rather than the royal gramma. At this point, I think Iâ€™m doing the gramma more harm than good in leaving him in the QT given the ammonia levels. He has been in for 7 days now with no sign of disease and heâ€™s eating well (prime reef). Iâ€™m considering moving him into my main tank tonight. Any thoughts on whatâ€™s going on with my ammonia levels, and whether or not moving the gramma out now is a good idea would be appreciated.

03/20/2007, 11:43 AM	#2
dscola Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Waldwick, NJ Posts: 37	Well, I got home last night and my amonia levels were still high so I moved the gramma into the new tank against all quarantine advice. My plan for next time is to use a sponge again (I have one in my fuge now). I also read somewhere about filling a stocking with some sand and letting that sit in your tank for a while. Seems to make sense so I'll probably give that a try as well. Anybody had any experience with this method?