Help With Discus

[sjolliff]

Cheers, i fully clean service the filters every 6 months ( its not due till december), and change the floss every 4-6 weeks i looked inside the filters the other week when i changed the top head and all looked ok, the pipes a full of crap especially the inlet

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Seachems prime doesn’t really remove ammonia. It actually changes it to ammonium, which is much less toxic.

Prime doesn't convert ammonia into ammonium, it actually converts it into another non toxic form.

 

[drobbyb]

I remember reading somewhere that it does turn ammonia into ammonium, but their website says a non toxic form. Anyone happen to have the write up on this so as to clarify?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I remember reading somewhere that it does turn ammonia into ammonium, but their website says a non toxic form. Anyone happen to have the write up on this so as to clarify?

A gentlemen on another forum e-mailed a friend of his who works for Seachem with some questions (like this specific one.) I have asked if he can send me the e-mail via PM so I can PM the answers for you. I can tell you right now it's not ammonium a different byproduct with a pretty scientific name (why I can't remember LOL.)

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Unfortunately this was his reply:

"I don't think that Seachem wants to go into precise details as their formula specifics would for the most part fall under proprietary information. Much like everything else in this industry, including fish food formulas."


I know he shared it once before, I am assuming it must have been for his eyes only. Can't find it on the search engine either He may just not understand what I am trying to ask though

 

[sjolliff]

Thanks for that,
Well to day i added 15ml of TPN+ and hour later i tested and it was between 0.25 and 0.50ppm of ammonia
where as it always been 0 with ferts, i wonder if its causing probs with the test reading

the fish are fine and my plants are doin great with the ferts but dont like it showing ammonia when it always been 0

 

[sjolliff]

Thanks for that,
Well to day i added 15ml of TPN+ and hour later i tested and it was between 0.25 and 0.50ppm of ammonia
where as it always been 0 with ferts, i wonder if its causing probs with the test reading

the fish are fine and my plants are doin great with the ferts but dont like it showing ammonia when it always been 0

Just re-tested now and its 0??

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Not sure if anyone will give you a definitive answer, were you using Prime while you used your ferts? Prime can give you false ammo readings, as when chloramine is broken apart, you end up with NH3 as a byproduct. The Prime detoxifies but still shows up on tests. I can't tell you why you are getting an Ammo reading from your ferts, but how about stop using it if your worried? Maybe your bio filter got rid of it by the time you tested again? Maybe your tests are expired? What kind do you use?

 

[discus_lover]

you may read an article about ph from here...
http/discusfishcaresecrets.blogspot.com/...r-aquarium.html

 

[sjolliff]

Same happened today
Im using TPN+ and easycarbo, the plants will die without ferts, but im going to not dose for a couple of days and see what my readings are

yeah i use prime every WC

 

[discus_lover]

sorry to hear it...

 

[sjolliff]

3 clear days with no ammonia, with no ferts. i cant see how TPN+ can put dangerous levels of ammonia in?
Could it just mess with the test results?

 

[sjolliff]

Well added some ferts today and and got a ammonia reading around 0.25ppm

can anyone tell me whether its just affecting the results or actually causing real ammonia poisioning