JLAURIA751
07/16/2009, 09:18 PM
This Is my experience does anyone have any input or advice about this please post it
UltraLife red slime remover killed the beneficial bacteria that consume nitrites in my aquarium.
2 days ago I went into the room where my 24 gallon aquapod is and my fish were lying on the sand gasping for air. I knew it couldent be the disolved oxygen since the flow in my tank is good. So I tested for ammonia it was zero. then I tested for nitrites the result was shocking it was through the roof My API test kit only reads to 5ppm and it was 2-3 shades darker than the highest reading. I had no Idea what was happening so I took my fish and my coral to my LFS and he graciously is holding them for me.
I was stumped so I went on reef central looking for answers. after bloging for a while someone asked me if I used any medications. Then it hit me 3-4 days prior to the crash I was at my LFS, I told him that I used red slime remover, and asked him if it would help with my other algea he said no red slime is more of a bacteria, and the remover kills it with antibiotics, it wont kill the other algea. I didnt think much of it at the time. I used a little less than the product recomended, and it almost killed my fish. My coral was pretty much un effected but I didn't want to take the chance so hes hodling on to my fish and coral. My point is I will never use that stuff again. I got it from my sister and foolishly went for the quick fix and used it. My point is and I wish I research it sooner is
Ultralife is an antibiotic. It will indescriminanatly kill all simple life forms if the dosage is high enough. That means bacteria, too, so this kind of treatment is a big no-no in FOWLR or reef systems. (Its not much better in fish only systems ... they still need biological filtration.)
UltraLife red slime remover killed the beneficial bacteria that consume nitrites in my aquarium.
2 days ago I went into the room where my 24 gallon aquapod is and my fish were lying on the sand gasping for air. I knew it couldent be the disolved oxygen since the flow in my tank is good. So I tested for ammonia it was zero. then I tested for nitrites the result was shocking it was through the roof My API test kit only reads to 5ppm and it was 2-3 shades darker than the highest reading. I had no Idea what was happening so I took my fish and my coral to my LFS and he graciously is holding them for me.
I was stumped so I went on reef central looking for answers. after bloging for a while someone asked me if I used any medications. Then it hit me 3-4 days prior to the crash I was at my LFS, I told him that I used red slime remover, and asked him if it would help with my other algea he said no red slime is more of a bacteria, and the remover kills it with antibiotics, it wont kill the other algea. I didnt think much of it at the time. I used a little less than the product recomended, and it almost killed my fish. My coral was pretty much un effected but I didn't want to take the chance so hes hodling on to my fish and coral. My point is I will never use that stuff again. I got it from my sister and foolishly went for the quick fix and used it. My point is and I wish I research it sooner is
Ultralife is an antibiotic. It will indescriminanatly kill all simple life forms if the dosage is high enough. That means bacteria, too, so this kind of treatment is a big no-no in FOWLR or reef systems. (Its not much better in fish only systems ... they still need biological filtration.)