What should I do?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by mlott132, Jun 25, 2012.

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  1. mlott132

    mlott132 Fire Worm

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    My firefish has been in the qt for a week now and the last few days I am having a devil of a time keeping the ammonia and nitrite levels at zero. Every time I test both come back at 0.25ppm. I do at least 20% water changes daily, and even tried adding some prime. However, I am unable to get the levels down. I was using water from my dt to do the water changes, but I am now using fresh mixed to see if that helps. The fish seems to be ok and is showing no signs of disease or stress. My question is should I go ahead and add him to my dt where the levels are zero? I have been feeding small amounts of brine shrimp twice a day. Should I knock that down to once? I just don't want to risk killing the fish because of the levels in the tank.
     
    mlott132, Jun 25, 2012
    mlott132, Jun 25, 2012
    #1

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  2. leichr0220

    leichr0220 Astrea Snail

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    New tank for the QT? Do you have a few live rocks to supplement the tank for now?
     
    leichr0220, Jun 25, 2012
    leichr0220, Jun 25, 2012
    #2
  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    How old are your test kits? Try testing with another kit.
     
    2in10, Jun 25, 2012
    2in10, Jun 25, 2012
    #3
  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    How long do you let your change water sit and do you aerate it while it is sitting?
     
    2in10, Jun 25, 2012
    2in10, Jun 25, 2012
    #4
  5. Brownie

    Brownie Flamingo Tongue

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    On a side note note for your QT I would also look into reducing your Salt level too. I know that reducing the the salt level to .021 to .023 will help increase the oxygen level in the qt as well as does reducing your temp a few degrees but be realistic, I wouldn't go any lower than 77°. Doing all this will help your fish in qt breath better as well as help the little guys recover a little bit. I'm no Dr with fish but I'm puttin in my two cents.
     
    Brownie, Jun 25, 2012
    Brownie, Jun 25, 2012
    #5
  6. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    Api test kit? My ammonia won't go under. 25 either
     
    DevinH, Jun 25, 2012
    DevinH, Jun 25, 2012
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  7. mlott132

    mlott132 Fire Worm

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    I have a ten gallon tank that has a couple pvc elbows, marineland bio-wheel hob filter, sponge filter, and heater. I have the temp set at 79 and salinity at 1.024 to match my dt. Yes, I am using the api marine master test kit that is about a month old. I will reduce the feeding to once a day and see if that helps. I have a 20 gallon Brute for my change water with a heater and powerhead in it as well. Thanks for the feedback.
     
    mlott132, Jun 25, 2012
    mlott132, Jun 25, 2012
    #7
  8. country1911

    country1911 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Check the expiration date. I have purchased API kits by mistake that were expired. Sometimes those things sit on the shelf a long time.
     
    country1911, Jun 25, 2012
    country1911, Jun 25, 2012
    #8
  9. howsboutafiver

    howsboutafiver Banned

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    Whoa. 25 % water change daily. Careful with that your tank could continually cycle and cycle and cycle
     
    howsboutafiver, Jun 27, 2012
    howsboutafiver, Jun 27, 2012
    #9
  10. mlott132

    mlott132 Fire Worm

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    I was doing this to try and reduce the ammonia and nitrites. Should I reduce down to a gallon a day?
     
    mlott132, Jun 27, 2012
    mlott132, Jun 27, 2012
    #10
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