Tell me if im crazy.

[boombox3]

Hello everyone,

So i purchased three small fish:

Bicolor Blenny

Cardinalfish

Firefish

I set up a 10 gallon quarantine tank a few days ago. But im dealing with elevated ammonia levels on a daily basis. I have been treating with Prazipro as well. I have been controlling the ammonia levels with amquel ammonia detox and 50% water changes daily. Ammonia spiking to 0.25-.50. Feeding frozen food but i believe it is polluting too much of the water. Should i stop prazipro treatment control ammonia with carbon to do less water changes??? And never put 3 fish in a 10 gallon quarantine tank again????

 

[Chrisq0904]

How much leftover food is there and how often are you feeding?

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[boombox3]

Once a day. Feeding a mixture of pe mysis, cyclops, and spirulina brine shrimp. I did notice a bit still floating around. And i put very little to begin with. They are eating with no problem. Perhaps i must use even less. I am using display tank water for water change. That water is ammonia is 0.

Do you think the fish count is too high btw?

 

[dadummy]

did you cycle the tank before adding fish?

 

[boombox3]

Initially, used that live salt water you buy at the lfs in that 4.5 gallon jug. And the rest was newly made. It was kinda of a rush process...thankfully fish are still alive and healthy.

 

[jonnyu]

That live water is a joke. Don't waste your money. Buy a bottle of fritz turbo start. Add as directed. It will cycle tank quick. Slow down feeding. Fritz comes refrigerated and is the only true living bacteria.


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[boombox3]

Thank you i figured i needed a solution of this kind. Although now that it has established tank water do you think parameters will be more stable? Its been three days

 

[Chrisq0904]

How often are you doing your water changes? What are you treating for?

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[boombox3]

I was doing water changes daily because of ammonia spikes. Prazipro for prevention. Fish are healthy and eating for now. After yesterdays 50% water change, this morning I am greatful that my ammonia was finally 0. For future reference, what would be the maximum fish load on a 10 gallon for stable parameters?

 

[rovster]

I don't think that's too much for a 10. Next time try transferring a little rock or sponge from your display to help. Bacteria are mainly on substrate and rocks not in the water, so unless you transfer something you will have to cycle the tank which will require a ton of water changes as you have found out. If you use rock you can put back in display when you are done assuming no deaths and only Prazi is used as Prazi is reef safe.

 

[firemedix911]

Your main issue is the tank isn't cycled. Not it being a 10gallon I think you put too many fish in at once if you take into account that most mess we use affect nitrifying bacteria some what. Slow it down to call it something. Add to that now you have to feed not 1 but 3 fish and at the same time there are 3 fish crapping in the tank. It ads up. Specially queen using meds. My QT tank is 40 gallons and I try not t do more than 3 fish if they are smaller in size.

 

[boombox3]

Thank you for your sincere response. I realized this after the fact. Well, ammonia this morning has maintained at 0. Minimal feedings and small water changes will be my due diligence for the next few weeks. Thanks everyone for chiming in.

 

[Chrisq0904]

What are you treating for? Maybe try feeding them every other day to help the water condition, I know you said ammonia is staying at 0 but just in case it creeps up again.

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[boombox3]

I was just treating prazipro prophylactically to prevent any unwanted parasites from compomising my fish. Since these fish came from LiveAquaria i never know what im going to get. Thanks for the good tip! Didnt think about feeding every other day. Thats the way to go with ammonia spikes. I appreciate your help!

 

[breeze]

Too small of a tank and too many fish for an uncycled tank. I like to use two 25 gallon tanks and I move the fish between each tank every 3 days. Each tank is drained, rinsed and allowed to dry during those 3 days that it doesn't have fish. I rarely have any ammonia during those 3 days unless it is a herbivore eating a lot of nori. I usually will feed less during quarantine. 4 transfers will do the trick.

 

[boombox3]

Oh wow! I would definitely consider doing this with bigger fish. Everyones methods are truly different! One day i know i will go big and would consider this method. Thanks!