Ammonia in QT

[oakengineer]

I had a cycled 20 gal QT that I just added a Kole tang to. I guess I wasn't cycled well enough because I'm getting an ammonia spike. So at this point I'm kind of stuck unless I wanted to throw it in the DT without finishing QT. What should I do? I'm currently making enough salt water for a 25% water change. I have also been adding stability. Would throwing a protein skimmer on the tank help?

Parameters via API kit:

PH 7.8
Ammonia .25-.5
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
temp 76

My seachem ammonia badge is reading nothing...

 

[Silvergryphon]

What test kit are you using?
How old is the badge?

 

[oakengineer]

I have the API master saltwater test kit. The badge is probably 2 months old.

 

[Silvergryphon]

API is notorious for incorrect ammonia readings. I'd trust the badge over the test, but a water change won't hurt any.

 

[Sand.man]

You should keep a product such as Prime or Amquel around for situations like this.

They are able to temporarily detoxify ammonia while you wait for your new water to finish mixing.

I use amquel plus in all my QT's, and they seem to help a lot. Just make sure that you have plenty of surface agitation/circulation or an airstone in there, because overdosing can cause oxygen levels to drop.

And I agree with Silver, API is terrible for ammonia readings especially. Although the badge is not a very reliable source either. My API ammonia test would always show .25 readings, even on fresh water, even in my display, I've since then switched to Salifert test kits, which are much more reliable IMO.

Good luck.

 

[oakengineer]

Ok. I added prime yesterday. How often can you/should you do that?