Have/had A Huge Ammonia Spike

[Albz]

Things h


Things do happen in a tank requiring the use of Prime or Polyfilter pad. Especially in a new tank.
Things like a dead fish. On an older tank with lots of live rock, the impact of decaying matter may not be an issue. But on a new tank, the bacteria may not be established enough to process the ammonia quickly enough. Adding Prime or pad helps to do this. And if there is a chain reaction of dieoffs in a tank of any age, Prime helps to deal with the ammonia buildup.
Polyfilter pads are helpful when there may be an issue with something harmful added to the tank. I have used it "just in case" when I thought maybe there was an issue. The pad changes colour depending on what is in the tank. This is helpful then to both deal with the problem and diagnose it.
Good luck!

Im going to get some pads and prime today at the pet store. Im going to use the pad on my first chamber cause read that it should be in a high flow area. Do i always keep it in or just when i think something is off? And how often do i change it?

 

[shamous113]

Just keep it on hand for emergencies or when you think something is off.

 

[Albz]

Thanks guys for all of your help!!!

 

[scubasteve]

DONT PANIC UNLESS YOU SEE WATER DRIPPING EVERYWHERE lol most issues can be kept in control by water changes or prime. My guess is you added things fairly close together. Being a new system you will get minor spikes after every addition till your bio filter grows large enough.