So can merely opening the bag and allowing oxygen to hit the ammonia. Most of the "spiking" does not apply for fish simply brought home from a local fish store. Only applies to fish that have been shipped over a couple days, or large quantities of fish, say a bag of 250 feeder goldfish.larry.beck said:Actually, Ash-Rayne, adding tank water to the bag can cause a toxic spike in the bag.
when acids push the ph down, from ammonia etc. it does becoem more toxic when exposed to the air. When you suspect this is the case. it is better to use an ammonia neutralizer in the bag, and acclimate, or simply put the fish into your quarantine tank. Situations should be avoided where these methods are needed.larry.beck said:As I recall it can also occur when higher pH water mixes with lower pH (the pH in the bag having been driven down by the accumulating toxins) - the toxic spike will occur. Again, more applicable to bags where the fish have been in for hours/day than a simple 15 minutes ride home.
That said, it takes me 2-4 hours to get home from my LFS and I feel I'm approaching the point where the risk of toxic shock could occur.