Why is my QT tank reading high for nitrite, when its almost all new from the maintank

[LandFEAR]

My 10 gallon QT has a high nitrite read and I did almost a full water change from my main tank which hasa zero read for nitrite. I did at least a 75% water change from main tank water, and added cycle. COuld the copper of thrown off tests, or maracyn. I added ammo lock to keep fish safe and will do another water change tommorow but it seems they have no impact so ithink it might be the copper

 

[gnatp2]

Nitrite can spike quite quickly. in that small tank, just a small amount of fish poop will cause that if you don't have a large enough bacteria population

 

[LandFEAR]

Well ill do a 25-50% water change every day from establish tank till its there, but problem is theres no live rock or wet dry tohold a lot of bacteria, maybe i need a bio wheel filter

 

[KathyC]

Put a couple of drops of that Ammo-lock in a cup of (even) tap water or rodi water and test for nitrites again to prove it..that stuff throws reading off.
You don't need to run a filter in a QT tank..the idea is super clean water that is changed VERY frequently in order to keep the parameters in order. If you are doing water changes daily, you need not be concerned about bacteria. Anything you do to promote it's growth (bacteria) , will cause a cycle in the QT tank...and you do NOT want that to happen.

Do adjust your meds to the amount of water you are changing daily to keep the level of meds consistent..
If you are medicating with copper, you should use a copper test kit to check the level of the meds.

It is always best to add extra air to any tank used as a QT..if you have an air pump handy, please use it. Your fish will appreciate it!

 

[LandFEAR]

I am using an air pump and a small wisper filter w/o charcoal, just the filter media. I am testing the water dailyfor copper amount but its tough to be exact with water changes, im gonna do a full change while fish are in a bucket today, using all established water from main tank, readjust copper level and reintroduce fisk i.e drip them