The Puffer Forum

Myaj wrote:Hopefully in a hospital or quarentine tank you'll be doing daily water changes anyways and that will help control ammonia. But yes, Ammo Lock is okay to use on a temporary basis. Its only when trying to set up a permanent tank that you run into problems using it (the bacteria can never get established because they starve to death due to no ammonia available).

I keep extra filter media or even just a sponge filter in all my tanks. You don't have to run the sponge filter, just leave it hidden and when you need it, it will be seeded with bacteria and ready to go. That way it doesn't add to the noise levels or electrical usage.

Yeah I was doing daily 50% water changes but the two GSPs were creating a lot of ammonia. I used ammo lock just to tide me over until I could find a better solution. I just did a 70% water change and added some filter media from my established brackish water tank and that should start a good seed going. I'll stop using ammo lock now and test the water in a bit to see if there is any ammonia reading. I know using Ammo Lock throws off your readings but hopefully with a 70% water change it will dilute that enough. I'll also continue with the daily 50% water changes to make sure the water conditions are optimal.

thanks for the advice!

Myaj wrote:
I keep extra filter media or even just a sponge filter in all my tanks. You don't have to run the sponge filter, just leave it hidden and when you need it, it will be seeded with bacteria and ready to go. That way it doesn't add to the noise levels or electrical usage.

This is the first I have seen someone suggest this. Would it be ok to hide it under the gravel Myaj? Would it need to be replaced monthly?