QT and Ammonia spikes...

hermitage · 01/04/2008, 08:02 AM

I thought I'd share my experience that helped me a lot.. I know this can be a heated topic, so I thought this might help those who've been having difficulty with QT. I've never read anyone mentioning this before on RC.

I've QT's all fish that have gone in my display. My QT tank is a 30 gal, with Bio wheel filter using a sponge that's been seeded in my sump for 6 or more weeks. No matter how many fish were in the QT, or the size, frequencey/amount of feeding, I always had a problem with ammonia spikes. So up until my last fish, I would perform daily, 50% or more water changes in my QT. Needless to say this was stressful beyond bellief for the QTd fish, but I felt at the time it was necessary. I just couldn't keep up with Ammonia spikes. It wasn't until one of my fish got ich, and eventually died, that prompted me to switch my test kits.

During the switch I discovered that there is toxic ammonia (free ammonia) and non toxic ammonia (total). I bought a Seachem test kit, which can detect both. With a new fish in QT, a beautiful Sohal Tang, and the use of my new test kit, I was pleased to discover, that my Toxic (free ammonia) levels were very low. Subsequently, water changes were less frequent. I was now doing 15-20% water changes every 3-4 days. Meanwhile Non Toxic (Total Ammonia) readings were through the roof, all the time.

So if your having trouble with Ammonia spikes in QT, get a test kit that detects Free Ammonia! The API kit I was using only detected Total Ammonia. Which as stated before, is ammonia that is in a non toxic form to fish.

Hope this helps.

luke33 · 01/04/2008, 08:34 AM

You really shouldn't have any amm problems in your QT unless you throw a ton of fish it there and then the bacteria will catch up shortly there after. I have a qt that is always up and running for this purpose.

01/04/2008, 08:02 AM	#1
hermitage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CT Posts: 307	QT and Ammonia spikes... I thought I'd share my experience that helped me a lot.. I know this can be a heated topic, so I thought this might help those who've been having difficulty with QT. I've never read anyone mentioning this before on RC. I've QT's all fish that have gone in my display. My QT tank is a 30 gal, with Bio wheel filter using a sponge that's been seeded in my sump for 6 or more weeks. No matter how many fish were in the QT, or the size, frequencey/amount of feeding, I always had a problem with ammonia spikes. So up until my last fish, I would perform daily, 50% or more water changes in my QT. Needless to say this was stressful beyond bellief for the QTd fish, but I felt at the time it was necessary. I just couldn't keep up with Ammonia spikes. It wasn't until one of my fish got ich, and eventually died, that prompted me to switch my test kits. During the switch I discovered that there is toxic ammonia (free ammonia) and non toxic ammonia (total). I bought a Seachem test kit, which can detect both. With a new fish in QT, a beautiful Sohal Tang, and the use of my new test kit, I was pleased to discover, that my Toxic (free ammonia) levels were very low. Subsequently, water changes were less frequent. I was now doing 15-20% water changes every 3-4 days. Meanwhile Non Toxic (Total Ammonia) readings were through the roof, all the time. So if your having trouble with Ammonia spikes in QT, get a test kit that detects Free Ammonia! The API kit I was using only detected Total Ammonia. Which as stated before, is ammonia that is in a non toxic form to fish. Hope this helps.

01/04/2008, 08:34 AM	#2
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	You really shouldn't have any amm problems in your QT unless you throw a ton of fish it there and then the bacteria will catch up shortly there after. I have a qt that is always up and running for this purpose.