new tank problem

pasta1 · 12/04/2008, 08:26 AM

8 week old 55 gallon marine aquarium, fish only (artificial coral). Seems to have cycled nicely with 6 damsels.
No amonia, no nitrites, no nitrates, PH 8.3, normal alk, temp 75f, clear water. Slight problem with brown algae.

Added small yellow tang to tank 1 week ago. Doing fine, eating well. Stopped eating 2 days ago (although seems fine otherwise). Found one dead damsel this morning (no white spots).

What am I missing? Any suggestions.

JEFFR259 · 12/04/2008, 08:53 AM

How often are you feeding?

Do you use RO/DI or tap water?

You probably have high phosphates, certainly if you use tap water. Get yourself a phosphate test kit to see. Depending on how much algae you have, the phosphate test kit might even show low levels. However, this may just mean that the algae is using most of the available phosphate, thus testing low.

What type of lighting do you have?

I would first either get a phosphate test kit or take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it.

Has the Tang stopped eating all together or just algae?

JEFFR259 · 12/04/2008, 09:01 AM

One other tiny recommendation.

You have made no indication of doing this, so just a friendly suggestion. While your tank appears to have cycled based on simply your water test results, I would slowlyyyy add fish from this point on. 8 weeks is not young, but is by no means established.

It is often hard to resist going out and getting all the fish you want quickly once the water testing kits show 0 values.

greggnyce · 12/04/2008, 09:05 AM

I think his problem is the fish dying not the algea. It is fish only so the algea is just unsightly, not killing his fish.

You are starting with a pretty high bioload for a new system. 8 damsels is alot to start. Using damsels to cycle a tank is pretty cruel but that is besides the point. Dont add anymore fish and let your tank stabilize. Try and get rid of some of the damsels and after that add some fish.

What are you using for filtration?

JEFFR259 · 12/04/2008, 09:10 AM

Ahhh, good observation greg.

It's too early for me to be reading apparently

Just thought he was unhappy with the algae growth. Totally missed the comment about the damsel dying.

In that case, +1 to what greg brought up.

JEFFR259 · 12/04/2008, 09:25 AM

oh yea, and

pasta1-

To Reef Central

Dave VG · 12/04/2008, 11:13 AM

If the tank was cycled with 6 damsels and cycle is complete then it is not to many fish for the bioload. In the wild there territory can be as big as 6 sq feet. You have them in a 55. They are going to kill each other off until there is only one or two left. How much live rock do you have?

pasta1 · 12/04/2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks for all the great advise.

I do use tap water. I'll get a phosphate test kit. If there is high phosphate levels what should I do? Will a 20% water change help?

Also the Tang has stopped eating completely.

Finally, what's your opinion of UV filters?

stingythingy45 · 12/04/2008, 03:11 PM

Are these Blue devil damsels by any chance?

I think your YT is probably getting picked on by the Damsels and feels crowded in your tank.
UV sterilizer?
They have there place,mostly in a QT tank.

greggnyce · 12/04/2008, 03:17 PM

Are you running carbon?

12/04/2008, 08:26 AM	#1
pasta1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	new tank problem 8 week old 55 gallon marine aquarium, fish only (artificial coral). Seems to have cycled nicely with 6 damsels. No amonia, no nitrites, no nitrates, PH 8.3, normal alk, temp 75f, clear water. Slight problem with brown algae. Added small yellow tang to tank 1 week ago. Doing fine, eating well. Stopped eating 2 days ago (although seems fine otherwise). Found one dead damsel this morning (no white spots). What am I missing? Any suggestions.

12/04/2008, 09:05 AM	#4
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	I think his problem is the fish dying not the algea. It is fish only so the algea is just unsightly, not killing his fish. You are starting with a pretty high bioload for a new system. 8 damsels is alot to start. Using damsels to cycle a tank is pretty cruel but that is besides the point. Dont add anymore fish and let your tank stabilize. Try and get rid of some of the damsels and after that add some fish. What are you using for filtration? __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

12/04/2008, 11:13 AM	#7
Dave VG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northeast, Pa Posts: 3,129	If the tank was cycled with 6 damsels and cycle is complete then it is not to many fish for the bioload. In the wild there territory can be as big as 6 sq feet. You have them in a 55. They are going to kill each other off until there is only one or two left. How much live rock do you have? __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 40B Display, 40B sump/fuge

12/04/2008, 03:02 PM	#8
pasta1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	new tank Thanks for all the great advise. I do use tap water. I'll get a phosphate test kit. If there is high phosphate levels what should I do? Will a 20% water change help? Also the Tang has stopped eating completely. Finally, what's your opinion of UV filters?

12/04/2008, 03:11 PM	#9
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Are these Blue devil damsels by any chance? I think your YT is probably getting picked on by the Damsels and feels crowded in your tank. UV sterilizer? They have there place,mostly in a QT tank. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

12/04/2008, 08:53 AM	#2
JEFFR259 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 595	How often are you feeding? Do you use RO/DI or tap water? You probably have high phosphates, certainly if you use tap water. Get yourself a phosphate test kit to see. Depending on how much algae you have, the phosphate test kit might even show low levels. However, this may just mean that the algae is using most of the available phosphate, thus testing low. What type of lighting do you have? I would first either get a phosphate test kit or take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it. Has the Tang stopped eating all together or just algae?

12/04/2008, 09:01 AM	#3
JEFFR259 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 595	One other tiny recommendation. You have made no indication of doing this, so just a friendly suggestion. While your tank appears to have cycled based on simply your water test results, I would slowlyyyy add fish from this point on. 8 weeks is not young, but is by no means established. It is often hard to resist going out and getting all the fish you want quickly once the water testing kits show 0 values.

12/04/2008, 09:10 AM	#5
JEFFR259 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 595	Ahhh, good observation greg. It's too early for me to be reading apparently Just thought he was unhappy with the algae growth. Totally missed the comment about the damsel dying. In that case, +1 to what greg brought up.

12/04/2008, 09:25 AM	#6
JEFFR259 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 595	oh yea, and pasta1- *To Reef Central*

12/04/2008, 03:17 PM	#10
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	Are you running carbon? __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.