Should I treat w/ Metro now?

[danielratti]

Here is something for everyone to read I found this a long time ago.

How to prepare NitrAte bottle number two.

The following is quoted directly from an email correspondence from an API representative to a member of another forum.

“Liquid Nitrate Test Kits from any manufacturer can have a common problem with their last test solution. For some companies, it is bottle number 3, but for us it is bottle number 2. One of the ingredients wants to solidify out of liquid solution. If the test bottle sits for any period of time, this can happen. If this does happen and the test is performed without Bottle # 2 mixed properly, then you can get a falsely low reading. I have never heard of falsely high readings with Nitrate Kits.

I would try tapping your Bottle # 2 a few times on a table or counter
top. This should loosen-up anything that has solidified. Then I would
shake this bottle for about 2-3 minutes, to really mix it up. Try the
test again and hopefully this will fix your problem. With regular weekly
usage, this bottle should only need to be shaken for 30-60 seconds.

Always check results at the recommended duration of time. Letting the
tubes sit longer can result in falsely high levels."

Another nice little piece of info is every bottle is stamped with a lot number and the last four numbers of the lot number is the date it was made. And the tests are only good for so many years. Some last 3 years others last 4.

One of these two reasons are why you are getting a zero test for nitrate.

[scifisarah]

My 4 year old daughter got a real kick out of me shaking the bottle like mad and counting. 

[gannmann101]

Yeah it clearly states that in the included directions. These test aren't perfect by no means.  I shake all my bottles. Before use I do a test on all my tankes every Sunday. During maintance.

[Marty]

Okay, after reading the entire thread, these are my observations and recommendations.

#1 Try to avoid moving your fish so frequently.  Not only does it stress them out, but the very act of netting them affects their slime coat and will make them more susceptible to disease.  Adding salt to your aquarium is a good thing to help remedy this, as it promotes slime coat production.

#2 When medications indicate removing filtration, they are referring to any filter that has carbon in it because it will neutralize/absorb   any medication you put in the aquarium.  So if you're not using carbon, it's not a problem.

#3 I would wait a day or so before treating with any meds to give your fish a chance to recover.  Withhold food for a day as well.  If you're already using NLS pellets, pick up some Thera A and feed that to your fish about once a week to help digestion.

#4.  Pick up some live bacteria and add some to your tank just in case.  Because you've been moving your fish around so much, the last thing you want to do is stress them out some more with an ammonia or nitrite spike.  Nitrate isn't as big a deal, and will be lowered when you do a water change.  I would keep testing your water, and avoid doing large water changes unless your fish appear to be getting sicker.

#5 If your fish appear to still be acting up after a day, then treat with meds.  Keep in mind, medication can be stressful for fish as well, so while you want to heal your fish, you don't want to overdo it either, so make sure you dose according to the instructions that come with the meds.

[gannmann101]

I guess I would have been more helpfull if I explained why to use the products I recromended. In my post. Thanks for putting everythang into one well phrased post.    I have a question. For marty or anyone realy. I'm going to set up a new frontossa tank this weekend.   I'm thinking about 9-12 for my starting colony.  I need some advice on this. I will make a topic in general discussion. Wil be thankfull for any help thanks

[scifisarah]

#4.  Pick up some live bacteria and add some to your tank just in case.  Because you've been moving your fish around so much, the last thing you want to do is stress them out some more with an ammonia or nitrite spike.  Nitrate isn't as big a deal, and will be lowered when you do a water change.  I would keep testing your water, and avoid doing large water changes unless your fish appear to be getting sicker.

All very helpful tips, thank you. I have two size C cartridges in my Penguin 200 filter, one of which has been there for at least a month, and has lots of bb growing on it. Could I just remove the whole cartridge, cut it in half, remove the carbon pieces, and place them in the two baskets of my FX5 that contain the Biomax? I have to open the filter anyway to add more Biomax and some polishing pads today as I way underestimated how much media it would take to fill since I am not using carbon.