Plant fertilizer and amm and nitrite

[wheelyfeet]

Hi,
My Eclipse 3, with 1 betta, was about mid way through cycling. Two days ago the ammonia was 0 and nitrites were .5 so I did a 25% water change.

My tank has 3 potted plants sitting close together. I added 1 stick of Plant Gro by Nutrafin under the plants. The directions called for 1 stick for each plant, but my tank is so small I thought that amount might be too much.

Yesterday, I tested the water and the ammonia had risen to .5 and the nitrites were at .5 as well. I expected the nitrites to be still high, but I was really surprised to see the ammonia levels up again.

Could it be the fertilizer? None of my other tanks have plants in them, and I've never had this ammonia spike happen in any of them once the ammonia had fallen to zero.

Debra

[amanichen]

Hagen's label for the stuff says:

"- Total Nitrogen (N): 0.15%
--0.15% Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen (Cheleated agent) "

So, exactly what they mean by organic nitrogen, I don't know. It could very well be ammonia that's been bonded to so that it's rendered safe for fish -- hence the words "chelated agent." I don't know specifically what they use as a source of nitrogen. Plants can use ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate for a source of nitrogen.

Does your ammonia test kit measure total ammonia (NH3 + NH4) or does it measure free ammonia (NH3)?

You can do a test by putting fertilizer in the CLEAN water during your next water change, and measure the ammonia level of that water before it goes into the tank.

But most of all, your tank is still midway through the cycling process, and it's difficult to pin it on one thing. Try the test again when you know your tank is cycled.

[wheelyfeet]

amanichen said:

Does your ammonia test kit measure total ammonia (NH3 + NH4) or does it measure free ammonia (NH3)?

It tests both. I'm using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Do you know of a brand that tests only free ammonia?

You can do a test by putting fertilizer in the CLEAN water during your next water change, and measure the ammonia level of that water before it goes into the tank.

Brilliant idea. I'm going to take a stick and put it in a bucket of water for the day and test it.

But most of all, your tank is still midway through the cycling process, and it's difficult to pin it on one thing. Try the test again when you know your tank is cycled.

Do you think I should pull the fertilizer stick out until the process is over?

Deb

[amanichen]

It tests both. I'm using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Do you know of a brand that tests only free ammonia?

Both free and total ammonia?

Do you think I should pull the fertilizer stick out until the process is over?

I don't think it'll be a problem, but you can remove it if you want to.

[wheelyfeet]

Both free and total ammonia?

Sorry if I was unclear. My test kit test for combined NH3 + NH4. Do you know of a test kit that tests only for NH3?

[amanichen]

Go for the salicylate one.

Seachem makes a really good one:

www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/MTAmmonia.html