Ammonia Spikes in QT

[hogcr8]

I posted this the the fish discussion section but figured I post it here as well...... Beth I am sure you could have an answer to my question....
I have finally figured out why I keep having fish die in my QT. Ammonia...... I have had a long nose butterfly in the QT for 4 weeks and have found that I need to do a 100% water change every other day due to high ammonia levels. I bought a cheap little Protein Skimmer but didn't do a thing. Today I found that he had cloudy eye and had no choice but to move him to the DT (except for the cloudy eye he looks good). My question is............... How can I keep ammonia from building up so fast without spending $200.00 for a good protein skimmer? My QT is only a 10 gallon tank. Are there any other solutions???????
Thanks..........
Have a great evening.....
Cory

 

[beth]

Protein skimmer will do nothing for ammonia. I'm guess the ammonia is due uncycled tank. Did you cycle the QT in advance?
The way I keep my QT going is by adding some rubble rock to it, and then feeding my tank fish food every few days. Just a little bit of fish food. If you decide to add rock, though, you may have to remove the rock if you end up using medications.
Alternatively, you can use PVC, filter pads, ceramic media pieces, etc. The idea is, to encourage the proliferation of bacteria. Feeding the tank is key to this.

 

[hogcr8]

I have been using sponge filters that have been soaking in my sump for the bacteria and using water straight from my display. I figured if I did that it would be cycled enough. Was I wrong? The long nose now seems to be blind and I am hoping his site will come back. (any chance on that)? he is eating if the food hits him in the mouth so I plan on trying to hand feed him as much as possible. I don't keep my QT running all the time only when I get new fish but with what I stated above I thought I was doing the right thing. I am still new at the QT stuff but have had a tank for about 7 years. Guess I have been lucky til now.
Thanks for any info.....
Cory

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by HogCr8
I have been using sponge filters that have been soaking in my sump for the bacteria and using water straight from my display. I figured if I did that it would be cycled enough. Was I wrong? The long nose now seems to be blind and I am hoping his site will come back. (any chance on that)? he is eating if the food hits him in the mouth so I plan on trying to hand feed him as much as possible. I don't keep my QT running all the time only when I get new fish but with what I stated above I thought I was doing the right thing. I am still new at the QT stuff but have had a tank for about 7 years. Guess I have been lucky til now.
Thanks for any info.....
Cory
Yes, his site will come back. Prestine water conditions and vitamine soaked foods will help it along. You should leave your qt running. Sometimes fish get an unexpected illness and if you are still stocking your tank it is best to keep a cycled qt ready at all times.