Quarantine Tank Ammonia Problems

Hi Everyone,

I finally bought fish for my aquarium (cycled and running 6 months ago). It's pristine, but the quarantine tank that I have setup is not.

The QT has ammonia problems (it's brand new water, never cycled, etc). There are two fish (a bicolor blenny and a six line wrasse) sharing ~10 gallons of water. Currently I have ammonia down to 0.25 ppm and I am not sure if I should continue to keep them in there. I am also using the QT to expose the fish to hyposaline water (SG 1.015).

Both fish have been there for two days now. I've done a rather large water change, and added more "primer" which is supposed to destroy chlorine and ammonia (I am using tap water). Still, I've only been able to get the ammonia down to 0.25 ppm.

I was finally able to get the six line wrasse to eat, by bribing him with brine shrimp. He is pacing inside a hollow rock and wont leave. He has also ignored all other types of food (chopped scallops and two different pellet foods).

It's possible the bicolor blenny ate some algae pellet I left by his side, but he isn't very interested in moving. He is just sitting on the hollow rock and wouldn't even move when I put the algae pellet right next to him.

Should I risk adding them directly to the main tank? There are no other fish there...

 

It looks like your fish are stressed because of the hyposalinity. I would slowly bring the salt levels back up. I would also try frozen mysis shrimp soaked in garlic to entice eating.

Also, it might be best to put them into the DT. But wait till someone else gives their opinion.

 

Prime and Ammolock are supposed to convert the ammonia into something that is not stressful to the switch. However, the water will still test positive for ammonia.

 

How did you introduce bacteria to your QT tank? A sponge from your main tank, bioballs from your main tank? or did you just put the fish in and start the cycle with their waste?

 

Thanks for all the tips! So I will still test positive for ammonia? That is good news but how do I make sure it doesn't kill them? Daily 25% water changes?

To inwall: I have _not_ attempted to introduce bacteria to the Q.T.

And good news! The bicolor blenny suddenly jumped as I walked by a few minutes ago, so I tried feeding him another algae pellet and he voraciously ate a bite. Unfortunately, he isn't confident enough to chase it (he knocked it away), so I'll have some clean up to do. But at least he too is eating!

 

I have a question about this, since the OP didn't seed the tank with any bacteria. I am having an emergency with one of my anthias, and she needs to go into a QT tank immediately. I have to set one up today, but obviously it won't be cycled. What do I do about that?

 

Definitely do water changes to remove Ammonia. In the future, try not to cycle your QT tank with your new purchases. It's so inexpensive to just have a $10 sponge filter and leave the sponge in the sump in your display tank. sponge filter - Google Search and then move the sponge over to the QT tank when putting a fish in there.

Move over a small piece of LR, a sponge, a filter pad, etc.

 

Thank you for the great advice! I wish I had known to do this before! I will definitely keep this in mind!