Getting ammonia spike in qt tank how to stop?

[jeffscustomcage]

I have a 29 gal qt i just set up with 15 gallons of my tank water and 5 gals fresh saltwater and a sponge filter i have had in my sump.i am going to add more saltwater today to finish filling the tank.tank has been running for 3 days now. I tested the ammonia level today and was .5. How can i control ammonia spikes? I am using copper
the tank has 1 salifin and 2 yellow tangs in it.should i do water changes and add ammonia pellets should i run carbon? Or something to keep ammonia down.

 

[jeffscustomcage]

I AM USING COPPER POWER
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2414

 

[svejil]

Not sure about the copper you are using, or if you are treating for disease (I assume so). With regards to ammonia, you have two main options: large water changes (but then you affect how much available copper is in the tank), or you could use an ammonia detoxifier like Amquel or Prime. These are found at almost all fish stores, and the major pet store chains. Dose according to instructions. This would be my route, and I would do it quickly to avoid damage, as ammonia / copper is not at all good.

SV

 

[jeffscustomcage]

i used kent pro ammonia stuff and did a 5 gallon water change i am making 10 more gallons now

 

[syrinx]

Make sure your test kit is not testing false positive for ammonia. MAny copper products will cause false positives. Once you are sure you actually have free ammonia and not a mis test- then use your ammo locks. The dosage of copper needs to be accurate- a lot of water changes will make that more difficult.

 

[jeffscustomcage]

how do i know its not a false test and its ammonia? i am using api ammonia drops didnt see ammonia until after i put in more copper toady to slowy bring up the levels copper today . should i use an ammonia little suction cup they sell at petsmart to monitor it or is that a waste of money

 

[syrinx]

I would go to the website of the copper product, and see what they say. If you want to be Mr.Peabody the scientist- you could always test some water known not to have ammonia- then add some of the copper and test again to see if there suddenly is "ammonia". Whatever the case the test needs to be able to test for free ammonia.

 

[Stuart60611]

Oh no! I am sure hope that you did not kill your fish here. I know for certain that the use of cupramine and any ammonia binder, like the Kent product you mention, results in a chemical change in the cupramine making it exponentially more toxic to fish and presumeably other life. I am unsure about using an ammonia binder with copper power, but I would be very surpised if a similar chemical interaction problem does not exist. Also, I agree that your api ammonia test kit is probably giving you a false reading (does not work with cupramine) because it does not work with copper power. You need to consult the manufacturer of the copper to see which ammonia test kits work when used with copper power.

 

[syrinx]

+1 on the cupramine and amquel- I don`t know about copper power- havent been able to find a pdf on it. The key lesson is to read and re read the instructions- that is where the definitive info for all this will be found.

 

[jeffscustomcage]

moved the fish to a 37 gallon tank with 15 gallons of existing water from the qt and the rest new took another sponge filter out of another tank i have had set up for 8 months and the filter has been in there for 3 months. do you think this is enough good water or should i take a chance and put them in my DT and hope i dont get ich???
fish are swimming and eating fed them before i moved them

 

[Stuart60611]

moved the fish to a 37 gallon tank with 15 gallons of existing water from the qt and the rest new took another sponge filter out of another tank i have had set up for 8 months and the filter has been in there for 3 months. do you think this is enough good water or should i take a chance and put them in my DT and hope i dont get ich???
fish are swimming and eating fed them before i moved them

I don't think you are having an ammonia spike in quarantine and rather having false possitive readings of ammonia due to the copper additions. No way to know without an ammonia test kit which works when copper power is used. The fact that the fish a swimming about has nothing to do with whether they have ich, and if you do not quarantine, you very well may introduce ich into the display. My biggest concern is use of an ammonia binder and copper power. You may get lucky and dodge a bullet this time because from my understanding the negative interaction between the chemicals I described does not always happen and only happens sometimes. However, nothing I would chance again.

 

[svejil]

Stuart:

Maybe you can post what the interaction between copper and ammonia binders? I took a quick cursory look at Kordon (Mfg. of Amquel), and it did show contraindications with certain medications, however copper is not one of them. FYI -- according to Kordon website, Amquel does not bind, nor break the bond, rather it changes molecular structure of ammonia, to make it non-toxic. Not sure about the Kent product though.


If there is a problem using an ammonia detoxifier, it would be useful / beneficial for those looking at this post to learn from.

SV

 

[Stuart60611]

Stuart:

Maybe you can post what the interaction between copper and ammonia binders? I took a quick cursory look at Kordon (Mfg. of Amquel), and it did show contraindications with certain medications, however copper is not one of them. FYI -- according to Kordon website, Amquel does not bind, nor break the bond, rather it changes molecular structure of ammonia, to make it non-toxic. Not sure about the Kent product though.


If there is a problem using an ammonia detoxifier, it would be useful / beneficial for those looking at this post to learn from.

SV

Second FAQ:

http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/Cupramine.html#faq2

Also, the below link here with Seachem's comments:

http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1373316&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

And here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1887914&highlight=cupramine+and+amquel