Help with Tank Transfer Method with Sachem Prime

[jmc1024]

Hello all,
I am doing a TTM with 3 fish: one flam angle 3-4 inches, one wrasse 4' and a very small goby. I have the fish in 6 gallons of water with a heater and a air stone. I used my DT water which has 0 ammonia am getting a slight ammonia reading between .25 and 1.0ppm. This is the 2nd day the fish are in this container. I used some prime and it brought it down closer to .25. It's hard to distinguish between .25 and .50. Should I keep dosing with prime? I've already added about 12-20 ml to 6 gallons of water. Any thoughts would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[thegrun]

I almost always dose prime at about twice the recommended dosage on the end of the second day, but since you have a big bio-load I would actually dose it at the end of the first day and make water changes on a two day cycle which would mean you would end up needing to make 6 tank transfers in total. Either that or get a larger tank with more water volume.

 

[Marchillo]

What ammonia test are you using? Most tests will give a false reading of ammonia if you dose with prime. Get a SeaChem ammonia badge and their test kit as well which measures total ammonia and free ammonia

Those 3 fish in 6 gallons of water is a huge bioload. I'd consider getting a couple of 20G Longs from Petco during $1 per gallon sale.

1.0 ppm is a big number. That can kill your fish. You start seeing .25 and start doing water changes etc.

 

[jmc1024]

Marchillo
Thanks for the reply,
I"m using an API test kit and have been reading that they aren't accurate when using prime.

I thought that 5 gallons would be plenty for 3 fish the gobie is only about 1 in. I wound up doing a 2 gallon water change last which brought my levels down a lot. I'll monitor until I do my transfer tomorrow.

My container holds 20 gallons so I can put more than 5 gallons. What would you recommend?

Another question, I was planing on dosing with prazipro on day 4 of the transfer but am thinking it might not be a great idea since I might have to use prime again. Any thoughts?

Thanks!!
Jay

 

[jmc1024]

Thegrun,

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion. Do you run prazipro during TTM? I've been told that you can't with prime?

 

[Spar]

Thegrun,

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion. Do you run prazipro during TTM? I've been told that you can't with prime?

i have used prazi + prime and been fine. it is copper + prime that is deadly.

 

[jmc1024]

Which prazipro do you use? I have Hikari and called the company to ask. They told me no. Wonder if it's just that company or they are being extra safe?

 

[Marchillo]

I did about 15 gallons when I had two small fish. I wouldn't do less than 10 gallons with 3 fish. The more the better. It does take more effort and cost obviously.

 

[Marchillo]

API is good when cycling a new tank but not great in this instance. Definitely get a couple of the ammonia badges and if you can the SeaChem test kit. Which uses the same principles of the alert badge.

 

[CStrickland]

I'm not sure why hikari would say not to use prime with prazi. I've done it, because I was worried that prazi might kill some worms in the sand bed and spike ammonia. I wonder if it made the prazi less effective or something? I hadn't heard of that interaction before.

 

[MondoBongo]

Thegrun,

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion. Do you run prazipro during TTM? I've been told that you can't with prime?

i'm doing prazi and amquel right now on 3 lyretail anthias. no issues to report. i've used this combo on several other fish through TTM including my Orange Spotted Filefish, and my Copperband. the filefish were the only ones he seemed more stressed with the addition of the prazi, but looking at them wrong stressed them out, so i wasn't surprised.

i also do large (50%+) water changes on non transfer days to help keep things squeaky clean, typically siphoning out whatever uneaten food or other nasty is in there.