Nitrites always detectable in Qt, but no ammonia?

[JLAudio]

Why is it that every QT I set up always has detectable nitrite, but 0 ammonia? If the the biological filter was not established than the ammonia should spike too,

1) Is nitrite just more sensitive and quicker to rise?
2) Could copper have only an effect on the bacteria that converts nitrite to nitrate?
3) COuld copper and amquel alter testing results?

I do water changes 50% a week, have two HOB filters with one that had a filter sock media from establish tank, other with bioballs in it. Tanks been running for over a month and all water taken from main tank. I feed extremly minimally with a little nori and a little flakes.

ALWAYS NITRITES, I DONT GET IT

QT: 20 gallon, 2 hob filters, heater, powerhead, airstone, PVC pipe.

 

[Deanos]

What test kit are you using for ammonia and nitrites?

 

[JLAudio]

Aquarium pharmeceuticals. Not the best brand, but its always consistant on my 36 reef, my 125 fowl and just this one has the discrepancy. The exact numbers might not be exact, but whenever my tank is established it always states no ammonia and no nitrite. I tested my other two tanks and both 0 for both. Just the damn QT shows nitrite, even after W/C

 

[Wes]

i have had false positives w/ Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tests in the past. I'd try another test kit before u panic.

if u are having nitrites show up i'd consider another form of filtration. A friend of mine runs 2 HOB Biowheel Filters on his QT tank w/ copper and he has been keeping steady 0 ammo 0 nitrite easily.

 

[JLAudio]

i have had false positives w/ Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tests in the past. I'd try another test kit before u panic.

if u are having nitrites show up i'd consider another form of filtration. A friend of mine runs 2 HOB Biowheel Filters on his QT tank w/ copper and he has been keeping steady 0 ammo 0 nitrite easily.

I think im going to have to wes, I recently put the bioballs in the one but not sure that, that will have the same oxygen levels that are in a wet dry that are required to establish a good bacteria colony

Maybe put airline in the back of filter where bioballs are, hmm:scratchch

 

[Awibrandy]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]J, see if the below helps you in any way!:flower:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]AquaScience Research Group - Product Info - AmQuel CONTRAINDICATIONS[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]AmQuel should not be added to water containing active, therapeutic dosages of dyes such as methylene blue, acriflavine, or malachite green, since AmQuel will interfere with their proper performance. Combining AmQuel with these dyes will not result in toxic chemical by-products. Do not use AmQuel with chelated copper treatments that utilize a citrate chelation process (Kordon's Chelated Copper is compatible as it uses an EDTA chelation process). Residual AmQuel and its reaction products are also incompatible with the Nessler-type test reagents, resulting in false, high ammonia concentration readings. Ammonia test kits using salicylate-type reagents such as Kordon's AquaTru Test Kit #35970 for salt water and #35980 for fresh water are required for accurate test results. AmQuel will temporarily (approximately 12 hours) lower REDOX.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Insights Into Water Quality Test Kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate[/FONT]

Novalek - Kordon - Amquel

 

[JLAudio]

IS THATS WHATS CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEMS?

Thank you so much for the great find. Should I discontinue use of amquel?

 

[JLAudio]

Just tested again, ammonia ZERO, nitire half way up the color grid. I check both of my other tank with same kit. Both O ammonia and 0 nitrite. Its definitly not testing kit, for some reason the QT method is inhibiting the devlopment of the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite

ANY THOUGHTS?

 

[KathyC]

Are you using Amquel or Amquel Plus?
Amquel Plus skews ammonia readings, you can only read them with a different type of test kit (different reagents made for testing this type of product).
Why are you using Amquel anyway????
I know of no reason to use it in a QT tank...

You should have an airline in the QT anyway. Are the fish in there being treated for something, or just operating as a QT? If medicating, it's very important.

The product 'Cycle' works well toward establishing the correct bacterias you need. Dose the tank according to the packaging directions.
I wouldn't add an airline to the bioballs..they will colonize when they are ready to, IMO the extra air won't help there.

I also swear by AP test kits (that aren't expired..lol), I've been using them for years for FW and have never seen an accuracy issue. Have a few that I use for my SW tanks, along with my Salifert kits.

 

[JLAudio]

Treating with copper, because 2 fish in there had ich. I am using amquel regular because no matter how much I do water changes, use established media there is always a read for nitrite. My ammonia is always fine in QT. I was at a fishstore today and the owner stated that he also always has problems with nitrite in his qt. he has same problem as me. I have lost much more fish from a qt than from disease. The water is too unstable for any sensitive fish to handle. The copper makes a good bioload impossible to establish and even with 50% wc every 3 days theres still a read of nitrite

I removed my airline a few days ago because the vibrating sound was driving me crazy, I installed powerhead to break up surface of water instead, fish seem fine in that regard.

My fish have been out of main tank for a month or so, I am going to reintroduce them to my maintank. I did 25% wc once a week on my main tank for the month and ran a diatom filter the entire time and feel the fish are much better off in a large established aquarium naturally battling any disease than a small unstable unpractical tank. QT's SUCKKKK!