ammonia in QT tank?

[Neptune 555]

I have my fish (coral beauty / red head wrasse / blackfinned goby in a 20 gallon QT and I am doing TT. They were in the first tank for 4 days and they did great. Ammonia alert badge read 0. I set up the 2nd tank let it run for a few days and on the morning of day 4 (today) I transferred the fish. My ammonia alert badge reads alert .05ppm? I had 3 months ago cleaned and dried this tank rinsing it SEVERAL times. I cleaned with a mild bleach solution as I think my last inhabitants had velvet. I had thought the ammonia might have been from tiny bits of bleach left on the glass? But I ran the tank for 3 days? I added Amquel yesterday to reduce ammonia 2 teaspoons for 20 gallons and it still showed alarm? Then this morning b/c I had to put the fish in for TT I added Prime (1/2 capful) (I like this product better b/ c it says it helps with the slime coat). The ammonia alert badge still shows alarm?

I don't want to overdose b/c I heard that adding these products reduces the oxygen for the fish? I want to ADD Prazipro NOW but am nervous why I am still showing any ammonia?

Fish look fine BTW... Not gasping for air.. a little more reclusive as I just moved them 2 hours ago but looking good.

Can I add more Prime? Can I add Prazipro? I don't have extra days to my cycle b/c I am leaving on a business trip... so I could not spare another day before adding them to new tank for TT?

I think my QT process is harder on the fish and am debating to just put them in the 100 gallon tank where everything is stable and healthy...

Neptune...

 

[HumbleFish]

Here's the thing with the ammonia alert badges... while they are roughly accurate, don't take their reading as gospel. Always double check the ammonia with a liquid test kit (unless you are using medication which renders those invalid).

I also wouldn't mix an ammonia reducer, such as Amquel, with any medication, such as Prazipro. And FWIW; I just use vinegar (less harsh) when "sanitizing" the tank after TT. If you get a little vinegar in the water no big deal, but getting bleach in there is a big deal. Letting the tank air dry for 3 days allows enough time for it to "sterilize" before the next transfer.

Finally, I'm a little concerned about you saying that the fish "were in the first tank for 4 days." The fish should be moved every 3 days when doing TT. I copy & pasted this from the TT thread for your reference:

Day 1 - fish in QT.
Day 4 - in AM, but before tank lights come on (8-9 AM EST), transfer fish to new tank, matching temp and salinity. Transfer as little water as possible.
Day 7 - repeat.
Day 10 - repeat.
Day 13 - repeat and done.

After transferring, I sterilized all PVC, heaters, filters/powerheads, thermometer, etc with a mild bleach colution. Rinse well. Let dry before next transfer.

 

[Neptune 555]

thanks.. so no prazipro with amquel or Prime? Is one better then the other? and can you explain the rationale? I *think* I will always use ammonia remover when I do QT b/c I do not have a biological filter running.. I do have a powerhead but no media b/c it would not have time to work? So I am wondering how I could ever use Prazipro if it has negative interactions with ammonia remover?

and yes I think the ammonia alert badges are not 100% but a good visual for when you are starting new tank or doing TT so you can get right on to a situation before it arises...

Neptune...

 

[Dmorty217]

It's just a best practice not to mix things such as ammonia detoxifier and water conditioners with meds since it can have a negative effect/or make a medication deadly to fish. I'm not sure if Amquel or prime is better, I use Amquel and have had nothing but success with it. With prazipro I would suggest two treatments back to back so a filter of some sort is a good idea