Hi all I posted a couple weeks back in the freshwater forum about an ammonia issue I was having in 3 already cycled tanks that had been up and going for years without much of an issue. I have a 36 gallon bow and a 2 gallon and 5 gallon with 1 betta each in the smaller tanks. With the use of using prime and reducing the amount of water I was changing in my tanks every 2 weeks and also not doing such vigorous gravel vacs and reducing the amount of food I fed in my 36 gallon to every other day and small amounts to the bettas with a one day fast. I was able to get the 36g tank ammonia free with appropriate nitrates showing and nitrite free which it had been for a long time until recently. I also am using stability to boost the filter which I know some members believe doesn't work but thought to give it a try.
I no longer have to dose the 36 gallon with Prime unless doing a water change. My 2 gallon is now as of 10/19/18 no longer showing ammonia nitrites are 0 and nitrate 5-10. My 5 gallon is still showing ammonia about .25, 0 nitrite and approx. 5 on the nitrate using API test drops. I am going to be getting the test kit from seachem which tests free ammonia to see if I am getting true readings of ammonia on the 2 & 5 gallon. When I called Prime tech support they told me not to change out the water on the 5 gallon as yet but to continue dosing with Prime. I just want to make sure that the readings I am getting are accurate. Also I was told that the use of Prime is when you have an emergency with higher ammonia levels only. Is that true? I have read and also been told that you can continue to use it with water changes but if the fish get sick for some reason you can't use certain meds with that water conditioner.
My last and most important question is about my QT tank now that my 36 gallon is under control I am now setting up my 10 gallon QT to start getting fish ready to slowly restock my 36 gallon. It is pitifully under stocked. The only way I know to cycle a tank in general is the fishy way. I have used striped danios in the past and they are the hardiest. Should I use the Aqueon and avoid using Prime for that tank? I ask because if by chance the fish I do add to the QT do get sick I won't be able to add appropriate meds using Prime or so they say. I unfortunately cannot use the additional small filter that is in my 36 gallon filter cannister that I usually would use for the QT filter cannister to seed the water with bio media because I only have 6 fish in the 36 gallon & I believe most of my media is in that filter sponge. So I know am going to have to closely watch my ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels very closely in the QT and do water changes as necessary until cycled. I basically need to know what people who use Prime have done and continue to do and should I continue using it for my other tanks. My gut is telling me to avoid using it in the QT. Sorry this is so long and appreciate anyone's input regarding these products. Thanks!!
I no longer have to dose the 36 gallon with Prime unless doing a water change. My 2 gallon is now as of 10/19/18 no longer showing ammonia nitrites are 0 and nitrate 5-10. My 5 gallon is still showing ammonia about .25, 0 nitrite and approx. 5 on the nitrate using API test drops. I am going to be getting the test kit from seachem which tests free ammonia to see if I am getting true readings of ammonia on the 2 & 5 gallon. When I called Prime tech support they told me not to change out the water on the 5 gallon as yet but to continue dosing with Prime. I just want to make sure that the readings I am getting are accurate. Also I was told that the use of Prime is when you have an emergency with higher ammonia levels only. Is that true? I have read and also been told that you can continue to use it with water changes but if the fish get sick for some reason you can't use certain meds with that water conditioner.
My last and most important question is about my QT tank now that my 36 gallon is under control I am now setting up my 10 gallon QT to start getting fish ready to slowly restock my 36 gallon. It is pitifully under stocked. The only way I know to cycle a tank in general is the fishy way. I have used striped danios in the past and they are the hardiest. Should I use the Aqueon and avoid using Prime for that tank? I ask because if by chance the fish I do add to the QT do get sick I won't be able to add appropriate meds using Prime or so they say. I unfortunately cannot use the additional small filter that is in my 36 gallon filter cannister that I usually would use for the QT filter cannister to seed the water with bio media because I only have 6 fish in the 36 gallon & I believe most of my media is in that filter sponge. So I know am going to have to closely watch my ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels very closely in the QT and do water changes as necessary until cycled. I basically need to know what people who use Prime have done and continue to do and should I continue using it for my other tanks. My gut is telling me to avoid using it in the QT. Sorry this is so long and appreciate anyone's input regarding these products. Thanks!!
