Amquel Plus and Nitrite Test still showing NO2

michfish5 · 08/19/2013, 01:09 PM

10 gallon QT, fully cycled, have Royal Gramma just finished 2nd week of Prazipro. Did my weekly WCs, fish was fine, all tests good (0 NH3, NO2, NO3) until this week when we had company and I slacked off a bit on testing and perhaps overfed because the RG is a pig.

On Saturday AM, found RG on its side, quickly tested and had .25 NH3 and .25 NO2. Quickly dosed Amquel Plus to hold him over and later did a 50% WC. Also added Seachem Stability for the hell of it. After WC and Amquel Plus, NH3 read 0 but NO2 still reading .25.

24 hrs later, NO2 still reading .25. Dosed Amquel Plus again. Should I do another 50% WC? I thought the Amquel Plus was supposed to eliminate the NO2. Am I getting a false reading on my API test?

I am currently setting up another QT, 20 gallons this time because I think the 10 gal is too small. Should I continue trying to fix the problems with the 10 gallon QT or should I try moving the RG to the 20 gallon for the remaining QT period? I have a backup Aquaclear HOB on my DT that has been running for over about 6 weeks now so the bio filter should be good to put in the 20 gal. I just wonder if the stress from moving him to a new tank will put him over the edge. Yesterday I thought I saw him scratch again the PVC pipe. First time he ever did that in the QT. Any advice would be appreciated.

08/19/2013, 01:09 PM	#1
michfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 167	Amquel Plus and Nitrite Test still showing NO2 10 gallon QT, fully cycled, have Royal Gramma just finished 2nd week of Prazipro. Did my weekly WCs, fish was fine, all tests good (0 NH3, NO2, NO3) until this week when we had company and I slacked off a bit on testing and perhaps overfed because the RG is a pig. On Saturday AM, found RG on its side, quickly tested and had .25 NH3 and .25 NO2. Quickly dosed Amquel Plus to hold him over and later did a 50% WC. Also added Seachem Stability for the hell of it. After WC and Amquel Plus, NH3 read 0 but NO2 still reading .25. 24 hrs later, NO2 still reading .25. Dosed Amquel Plus again. Should I do another 50% WC? I thought the Amquel Plus was supposed to eliminate the NO2. Am I getting a false reading on my API test? I am currently setting up another QT, 20 gallons this time because I think the 10 gal is too small. Should I continue trying to fix the problems with the 10 gallon QT or should I try moving the RG to the 20 gallon for the remaining QT period? I have a backup Aquaclear HOB on my DT that has been running for over about 6 weeks now so the bio filter should be good to put in the 20 gal. I just wonder if the stress from moving him to a new tank will put him over the edge. Yesterday I thought I saw him scratch again the PVC pipe. First time he ever did that in the QT. Any advice would be appreciated.