Is AmQuel safe for corals?

[fx300]

I have used AmQuel before and I have a bottle that is almost full. On the bottle it says "AmQuel protects aquarium and pond fishes and invertebrates," but just incase wanted to ask you guys for your suggestions. Thanks a million.

Sincerely,
Fabian

;)

[Richard]

Amquel is safe for fresh and saltwater.

Richard
CB Pets

[fx300]

Thanks a million. You just never know with some products out there.

Fabian

8)

[Brett Wilson]

just so you know, novaqua and amquel can be known to kill xenia.

-Brett

[fx300]

Noo.. That can't be I just got some small Xenia in my tank.. Now what do I do I just added the AmQuel on Sunday?

:(

Fabian

[Brett Wilson]

I would do as justletmein suggests. The one time I tried this product in the early stages of my reefing (first two weeks, soooo long ago) it hurt some of my xenia but I didnt lose any of it.
On the other hand, a friend of mine used it often and it destroyed a large colony of his xenia.
I dont suggest using it at all in a reef tank.

-Brett

[ratboy]

I used to use it on my hands after I washed my hands before putting them in my tank (I was and still am paranoid about something I touched 6 hours ago nuking my tank). Now I just rinse my hands in fresh tap water and dry them well before playing.

Interesting about the xenia.. Ive never had long term success with them but I dont attribute it to amquel since Ive had it crash without using amquel or novaqua.

[fx300]

Why use AmQuel well my ammonia was at 0 and now at .25 I guess I exaggerated with it. I am sure that being more careful with the food would have done it is just the fact that it was there without any use that made me want use it... I should have known better.

Fabian

:(

[Richard]

FX300,
I have never heard of Amquel or Novaqua killing xenia before. I have sent an email to Kordon in regards to this and will post their reply when I recieve it. Here is what Kordon claims:

COMPATIBILITIES
AmQuel is harmless to plants, fishes and invertebrates. This product is safe for use in aquariums and ponds and will not interfere with normal biological filtration. AmQuel is compatible with NovAqua® and PolyAqua®. Use caution when adding liquid AmQuel to water that has a poor buffer reserve (as indicated by problems maintaining a stable pH). Using AmQuel in these conditions can cause a sudden lowering of pH. To prevent a pH drop, use either AmQuel Plus Buffers or Pure Dry AmQuel instead of liquid AmQuel.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
AmQuel should not be added to water containing active, therapeutic dosages of dyes such as methylene blue, acriflavine, or malachite green, since AmQuel will interfere with their proper performance. Combining AmQuel with these dyes will not result in toxic chemical by-products. Residual AmQuel and its reaction products are also incompatible with the Nessler-type test reagents, resulting in false, high ammonia concentration readings. Ammonia test kits using salicylate-type reagents such as Kordon's AquaTru Test Kit #35970 for salt water and #35980 for fresh water are required for accurate test results. AmQuel will temporarily (approximately 12 hours) lower REDOX.

TOXICITY
AmQuel is non-toxic when used as directed. Numerous species of freshwater and marine fishes, invertebrates and plants have been exposed to AmQuel with no toxic effects. It does not reach toxic levels even in cases of accidental or purposeful overdosing. AmQuel is non-toxic to humans and no special precautions are necessary in handling this product.

I'm not trying to defend Kordon since I have never used either of these products with xenia but couple of questions come to mind.
1.) If one is using AmQuel to try and lower ammonia levels it is possible that the xenia died as a result of the ammonia and not the Amquel.
2.) Amquel and Novaqua are very different products. The only thing they have in common is that they both remove chlorine and are both made by Kordon. Why would both of them kill xenia?

On another note, I generally don't like to use these type of products (Amquel, Ammo Lock, etc.) since they don't actually "remove" ammonia and there is some debate as wether or not the ammonia that is "locked up" is available to be broken down by your nitrifying bacteria or will simply be released back into your system some time later. I prefer products like poly filters or any of the various ammonia absorbing products to remove ammonia in emergency situations.

Richard
CB Pets

[Brett Wilson]

I cant find any deductive research showing that xenia and amquel dont mix anymore.

Maybe it was something else in my tank, after all it was a new setup.
My friends tank wasnt a new setup, but, maybe it was something else in his tank. who knows, just seems a little too coincidental.

I can only find a few posts on reefcentral where people say they have 'done research' on amquel and found it can be toxic to xenia, but, without doing the research myself I cant say it's a guarantee.

Maybe it is, maybe it isnt. I surely have no place for it in my tank though.

YMMV

-Brett

[fx300]

Wow! Thanks all for your info. My Xenia did look iffy at first but I have actually added extra Iodine and they seem to be doing better now. I also turned the Protein skimmer back on and I am getting ready for a water change (once RO unit creates the water, man this takes for ever). Again thanks to all of you are great! Several of my friends have joined this site lately all due to my constant recommendation that this organization is the greatest. Hope to hear from all of you soon.

Sincerely,
Fabian

[Sherri]

I've used NovAqua since I set my tank up back in August. Never have used AmQuel. I have 5 Xenia's and they are growing & looking great. Since I'm using store bought water, I use this. :roll:

Sherri