total ammonia measurement using api master test kit

[acorn1954]

hello guys. a question. i cycled a new tank with fritz booster 700 for a week before entering discus into tank. unfortunately the api test kit for ammonia only tests ionized and unionized ammonia. so i can't get an accurate reading on harmful ammonia level. i have been checking my nitrite level which is at zero. so i am assuming the water is safe for the newly acquired discus. is this a proper way to evaluate the quality of the water. i also have a seachem ammonia alert indicator in the tank reading "safe".

[brewmaster15]

Hi there, Long time Acorn! I haven't used that bacteria in bottle before but my understanding is you add it when you add the fish so if you added it a week before adding the fish you would need to have added some other form of ammonia as a food for the bacteria in this new tank. Did you add ammonia daily and if so how much? What size is the tank.

Nitrites detection usually lags a week or so after you see a spike in Ammonia.I would be concerned there isn't any detected.

This product needs to be refrigerated and has a short shelf life from what I can see. I would hold on adding Discus at this point. Maybe give frtiz customer service a call .

al

[acorn1954]

thanks for the quick response. by the way your video was very entertaining. the nitrogen cycle was completed according to the api test kit. i followed the fishless cycle model of seeding the tank. it took 5 days, then 50% water change before putting 10 discus in the 20 gallon. the fish are as of today 2 1/2 inches so i do 2 light feedings daily for now. my routine will be 50-60% water change every other day, and in a month put them in s 55 gallon. i am relying on the seachem ammonia alert, are you aware of this product? it reportedly detects the free ammonia in the water. anybody else have experience with the canned bacteria and / or seachem ammonia.

[brewmaster15]

thanks for the quick response. by the way your video was very entertaining. the nitrogen cycle was completed according to the api test kit. i followed the fishless cycle model of seeding the tank. it took 5 days, then 50% water change before putting 10 discus in the 20 gallon. the fish are as of today 2 1/2 inches so i do 2 light feedings daily for now. my routine will be 50-60% water change every other day, and in a month put them in s 55 gallon. i am relying on the seachem ammonia alert, are you aware of this product? it reportedly detects the free ammonia in the water. anybody else have experience with the canned bacteria and / or seachem ammonia.

I have not used it but I am familiar with it. It only detects free ammonia, not Ammonium. I do know that its not meant for acidic tanks, not recommended for pH less than 6.. whats your tank and tap run at pH wise?

[acorn1954]

ph level in tank is 7.2. , same as tap water. DOES NOT have wild discus. all discus were purchased from DISCUS HANS USA HANS said his discus are housed in delaware tap water. what those parameters are i don't know.

[brewmaster15]

ok.... Then if the tank is at pH 7.2 any ammonia should be detected by that seachem monitor per their literature. if it were me though I would test that. Those monitors are not expensive. I would probably test it's sensitivity in my water with spiked amounts of Ammonia..but you would have to Calculate concentrations pretty accurately.

[acorn1954]

agree with you al, that's my plan, to always use the test kit for validation. i'll be closely watching the water parameters since it is a newly cycled tank, with a newly introduced bio load. and i'll be doing 50% water changes for that reason and also because these discus are 2 1/2 to 3 inch size.

[LizStreithorst]

The Seachem thing works, but the moment you see a tiny change in the color, there is more ammonia in the water than you or the fish want. When unsure, WC's are your friend. I would start off doing at least 50% daily. Watch the fish. They will tell you if they're happy or not. Much better than depending on the Seachem stick-on thing. IMHO, even better than depending on a test kit.

I once QT'd 7 huge adult show fish in a 30. The sponge was new, and all water change equipment was dedicated to that tank. I was prepared to do 2 100% WC's daily, but started by doing 100% WC daily. After a few days, when the fish appeared happy, I went down to 75% daily and eventually to my normal 30% daily. All I did was depend on the fish to let me know if they were happy with their conditions.

[acorn1954]

thanks mama bear. you make alot of sense. i will do what you did with major water changes. and depend on fish behavior observation. i used the fritz turbo boost 700 for a fishless cycle to start seeding a brand new tank, everyone i read about said the stuff works with in 5 days and then tank is safe for fish... there is a discus manual on the stendecker site that i am relying for good advice also.

[brewmaster15]

Congrats on your new fish! I'm sure Hans sent you some nice ones. Off topic question Acorn, But are you returning to the hobby with this discus purchase?

[acorn1954]

yes al i am trying to. hans sent 10 2 1/2-3 inch his piks. of course they are robust and well proportioned. not to mention a good variety of colors. although at their age (3mos) their potential does not do them justice yet.

[brewmaster15]

yes al i am trying to. hans sent 10 2 1/2-3 inch his piks. of course they are robust and well proportioned. not to mention a good variety of colors. although at their age (3mos) their potential does not do them justice yet.

Welcome back !!!
Looks like a fine group of juvies you have there! Feed them well and give them what they need and I think you will have some great fish Always good to see forum members back again.

Enjoy your new fish!
Al