Ammonia in QT solved??

[Rlumenator]

In Previous thread- I couldn't stop the Ammonia without daily large water changes in my QT tank. I buy from time to time live brine. I store it in the frig. in the plastic bag it comes in. I give it as a treat to the reef tank- and to the new Regal tang in quarantine. I use a turkey baster to scoop them out with lots of water. I just did an ammonia test on the water from the brine- it's off the charts. Adding a couple of basterfuls to the 20 gal- I guess has accounted for this. I now will drain them in a strainer and rinse first. I'm assuming this is the cause.

 

[moggyhill]

you might also get frozen mysis shrimp. They are much higher in protein than brine shrimp. You also would not have to rinse, strain, etc.

 

[Rlumenator]

Yes- I also feed my own mixture of mysis, krill, etc. The live just seems to get new fish excited- in fact my old guys like it as a treat. I just didn't realize the ammonia factor!

 

[Anonymous]

Good job Dawn, that was the culprit.

I normally just unthaw mine in some water, and then pour the water out.

Rinsing would help too.


I make my own food by cutting up flounder and shrimp really small and freezing it in a baggy. I spread it out flat first.

Then I thaw it in tank water, feed with some tongs or baster and throw the remainder of the water out.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, and someone told me once that it helps to make the live ones last a bit longer by changing the water they are in every once in a while.

Don't know how true that is...

 

[Rlumenator]

I hope that is truely the culprit. I would expect that would account for it.

 

[Meloco14]

I believe that was it, Dawn. From what I've heard, it is always a good idea to strain any frozen foods you use also. The liquids contain a lot of phosphates. I like to thaw out a cube, strain it in a net, then soak it in selcon before feeding. It tends to help keep out some junk from your tank.

 

[ReefMan29]

I thaw mine in tank water then just pour it in the tank. Always has worked for me.

 

[Omni2226]

Mmm never thought about it. I made my own fish food and just thaw it in tank water and dribble it in.

But, straining the juice out first in a coffee filter or something would cut the liquid organic load way down wouldnt it? Or would that deprive some of the critters like small dusters?

What would use the liquid form or sauce/juice as it were?

 

[Anonymous]

What would use the liquid form or sauce/juice as it were?

Bacteria (just a guess).

 

[Anonymous]

I seriously doubt that even off the chart ammonia levels from liquid in food should result in elevated ammonia levels. The aerobic bacteria and plant life should take care of that addition which should be less than the bioload.

Just my .02

 

[Anonymous]

I seriously doubt that even off the chart ammonia levels from liquid in food should result in elevated ammonia levels. The aerobic bacteria and plant life should take care of that addition which should be less than the bioload.

Just my .02

Edited for violation of the User Agreement - Chris

 

[Anonymous]

I think you have to ban the Burger King for that comment, even if he is the King!!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the support Chrispy

I seriously thought Beaslbob had been instructed to keep his no water change thing away from newbies...

 

[skylab1]

I hope that is truely the culprit. I would expect that would account for it.

are you still doing daily water changes? and what is the ammonia today?

 

[brandon4291]

brine water addition/test intervals and systemic circulation would be at play (how much ammonia added vs bacterial populations, how fast and evenly is the suspension passed over the affective surface area)
but that's a good notion in general. Glad we found a likely source!!! I would have never thought to guess at liquids added as food that may be rotten, a new one one me for sure but at least we located it.

I think, just as a guess, the bacteria wouldn't oxidize that much pure ammonia in one day. Especially if grunge is being added and using a select portion of 'effort' to neutralize as well, these may go hand in hand for the spike you are seeing. If you were testing five days after the bag and not adding extra grunge to be processed, I'd say it'd be oxidized in a normal system sometime within a 5 day frame as a guess. Cool stuff.
B

 

[ChrisRD]

Knucklehead, you have a PM.

 

[Anonymous]

Knucklehead, you have a PM.

And you have a response there buddy....