Using no3 po4 -x for qt tank

[Jmas4]

I am going to run a qt tank with a skimmer. I am using cupramine and it will be cycled. Can I put no3 po4 x in to lower the nitrates in the tank?

 

[JPSika08]

I have never heard of using cupramine and being able to cycle a tank, wouldn't that medicine kill all bacteria?

Just a thought, no expert here.

 

[Jmas4]

No I went on their website and it said some intriguing bacteria will die but not all.

 

[Jmas4]

Nitrifing*

 

[melypr1985]

copper wont kill all the bacteria, though some will suffer then the population is usually able to make a come back. I dont see any reason to worry about nitrates in a QT. Ammonia is the big concern there. Keep that at 0 and your good to go.

 

[Jmas4]

I will cycle the tank before adding any fish. We do 40 percent waterchanges 2wice a week and it will be expensive and too much work (I want to lower the work as much as possible) and I don't want that so nitrates will go up and I am wondering if no3 po4 x will work.

 

[melypr1985]

I will cycle the tank before adding any fish. We do 40 percent waterchanges 2wice a week and it will be expensive and too much work (I want to lower the work as much as possible) and I don't want that so nitrates will go up and I am wondering if no3 po4 x will work.

I really think it's not worth it. Nitrates don't really effect the fish unless your dealing with sharks or rays i believe. They arn't in QT long enough to worry about nitrates or even to dose for it. If your tank is cycled and you dont see any ammonia or nitrites, then dont worry about it. besides that I dont see any reason to risk any interactions between that and the meds you may have to use.... if there is one.... I'm all about "better safe than sorry" and mixing unknowns into situations where the oxygen levels are lower and meds are being used isn't something I consider safe. It's up to you though... so if you do it, let us know how it turns out after several weeks with the same fish in the QT being treated please.

 

[Humblefish]

^^Agree with Meredith; nitrates only affect fish at insanely high levels. It's more of a parameter you need to monitor for corals/inverts.

But FWIW, I have no idea if NO3 PO4-X would interact negatively with Cupramine. @Randy Holmes-Farley might know.

 

[Jmas4]

Ok thank you it is that I want to do once a week 10 percent water change and I'm worried nit rates would be off the scale

 

[melypr1985]

Ok thank you it is that I want to do once a week 10 percent water change and I'm worried nit rates would be off the scale

If the QT is fully cycled, then I dont see why you can't do the once a week changes. Dont worry about the nitrates. I doubt they will get high enough to bother the fish. Good luck!

 

[Jmas4]

Ok thank you

 

[Reefahholic]

Be careful with this stuff. It's very very strong and effective. I've killed all my fish once with it. It depleted the oxygen in the water. PH spiked...

 

[Reefahholic]

If the QT is fully cycled, then I dont see why you can't do the once a week changes. Dont worry about the nitrates. I doubt they will get high enough to bother the fish. Good luck!

I agree with melypr1985, water changes will easily keep the nitrates in check. I wouldn't does the Red Sea No3-Po4x.