somebody rescue me........please.

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 10:27 PM

ok im about to freakin give up here on this.
heres tonights readings after water change. 6 of 30gal.

PH 8.4
NITRITES 0
NITRATES 40
AMMONIA .25

what is going on here. these very same readings remain the same after the last 3 weekly water changes.
you suggested less food per feeding. i did that.
you suggested i get rid of my biowheel. i did that.
you suggested feeding every other day. ive done that too.
still nitrates are to high.
theres got to be something i havent done.
somebody is bound to have a clue as to what im doing wrong.
so can we rack our brains and help me solve this problem?
even my LFS is clueless as to what can be the issue.

Toddrtrex · 06/05/2009, 11:04 PM

So you have a 30 gallon, but that is all that I can figure out so....

How long has the tank been set up?
Do you have fish in it? If yes, how many, and what are they?
How much live rock?
What do you have for filtration?
How old are your test kits?
Have you tested your make up water?
Are you using RO/DI water?

Michael · 06/05/2009, 11:05 PM

firstly i doubt the ammonia is that level, if it is everything in the tank would be dead, are you using the salifert ammonia kit?

secondly dont panic about the nitrate reading at the moment, the ph is fine, im not familliar with your tank history, but im on for a bit so if you can list some history and a brief tank description, what rock flow livestock etc, we may be able to work something out

Michael · 06/05/2009, 11:06 PM

ah todds here, even better,

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:13 PM

oooops i ment .25 on the ammonia.

the tank is about a month. i changed the sand out as my nitrates were well over 160. im using API test kit as thats the best i can afford for now. the sand bed is 4in deep. the fish are
1 clown
1 cortez dams
2 humbug damz
1 engineer goby
1 blue devil.

todd.

test kits are new. water is being bought from a LFS i totally trust.
the live rock is about 45lbs and fully cured.

Michael · 06/05/2009, 11:16 PM

i suspect your tank never really finished cycling and with the 6 fish you have in there the bacteria colony which will convert the fish waste from ammonia to nitrogen gas has not develloped enough yet, just keep water changing and do not add anymore fish or livestock until its under control.

Toddrtrex · 06/05/2009, 11:20 PM

I agree with Michael, have a feeling that the cycle never finished. That in and of its self should take about a month, and then SLOWLY add fish.

Sure changing out the sandbed slowed down the cycle too.

The best thing would be to take back the fish until you have 0 for ammonia. If that isn't an option, lots and lots of water changes --- like 30% every other day (( or even every day )) until you have 0 ammonia.

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:23 PM

michael

the tank was given to me from a friend. it was a damn mess to be honest. my nitrates where so high i had to change the substrate as everything was in buckets. i didnt clean the sand before i put it in the tank. so i had to redo everything. the LR wasnt cleaned though. didnt think i should do it. i did reuse some of the old water, which i now think was a bad idea.
ive been using stability as directed. from another post about this it has been suggested i might have to many fish. what is your opinion on this?

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:25 PM

tod

the fish came with the tank. the tank was up about a yr before i got it.
is there anything like ammo lock for saltwater? would it work?

Michael · 06/05/2009, 11:29 PM

basically you have added too many fish too quickly, the tank never cycled and so you have now prolonged the cycle.

with regular water changes you will eventually get there, dont add any chemicals or start listening to web gossip about quick solutions, as todd mentioned it would be better if the fish were not in there, but assuming its a done deal now a little patience and water changes is the only thing you need to practise at this moment.

the nitrates will eventually fall a bit, but it could be a while before that happens as you are overstocked at the moment because the bacteria colony cannont keep up with the fish waste.

im still unsure as to your tank size, but if it is 30 gallon you cant add anything else.

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:43 PM

yes its a 30.

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:45 PM

ok at this point how many water changes a week? 6 gal of 30 right? how often should i be changing my filter pad?

ricksconnected · 06/05/2009, 11:59 PM

ok guys, thank you for your time here. i guess water changes and some good luck is what i need. can i expect to lose any fish or crabs/snails through all of this?

Michael · 06/06/2009, 12:03 AM

id sugest 8-10 gallons every 2 days or so until the ammonia is at 0 for a couple of days then weekly, no reason why you should lose any fish if you keep changing water, you may do, but lets hope not, as you have confirmed its a 30 gallon id suggest removing at least 2 of the fish as well, start right now and the system will benefit from it, its going to be a bit of a battle with your current livestock numbers to get the tank clear, and of course to avoid future algae problems, anyhow best of luck.

06/05/2009, 10:27 PM	#1
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	somebody rescue me........please. ok im about to freakin give up here on this. heres tonights readings after water change. 6 of 30gal. PH 8.4 NITRITES 0 NITRATES 40 AMMONIA .25 what is going on here. these very same readings remain the same after the last 3 weekly water changes. you suggested less food per feeding. i did that. you suggested i get rid of my biowheel. i did that. you suggested feeding every other day. ive done that too. still nitrates are to high. theres got to be something i havent done. somebody is bound to have a clue as to what im doing wrong. so can we rack our brains and help me solve this problem? even my LFS is clueless as to what can be the issue. Last edited by ricksconnected; 06/05/2009 at 11:10 PM.

06/05/2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	So you have a 30 gallon, but that is all that I can figure out so.... How long has the tank been set up? Do you have fish in it? If yes, how many, and what are they? How much live rock? What do you have for filtration? How old are your test kits? Have you tested your make up water? Are you using RO/DI water? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/05/2009, 11:05 PM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	firstly i doubt the ammonia is that level, if it is everything in the tank would be dead, are you using the salifert ammonia kit? secondly dont panic about the nitrate reading at the moment, the ph is fine, im not familliar with your tank history, but im on for a bit so if you can list some history and a brief tank description, what rock flow livestock etc, we may be able to work something out __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

06/05/2009, 11:06 PM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	ah todds here, even better, __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

06/05/2009, 11:16 PM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i suspect your tank never really finished cycling and with the 6 fish you have in there the bacteria colony which will convert the fish waste from ammonia to nitrogen gas has not develloped enough yet, just keep water changing and do not add anymore fish or livestock until its under control. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

06/05/2009, 11:13 PM	#5
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	oooops i ment .25 on the ammonia. the tank is about a month. i changed the sand out as my nitrates were well over 160. im using API test kit as thats the best i can afford for now. the sand bed is 4in deep. the fish are 1 clown 1 cortez dams 2 humbug damz 1 engineer goby 1 blue devil. todd. test kits are new. water is being bought from a LFS i totally trust. the live rock is about 45lbs and fully cured.

06/05/2009, 11:20 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I agree with Michael, have a feeling that the cycle never finished. That in and of its self should take about a month, and then SLOWLY add fish. Sure changing out the sandbed slowed down the cycle too. The best thing would be to take back the fish until you have 0 for ammonia. If that isn't an option, lots and lots of water changes --- like 30% every other day (( or even every day )) until you have 0 ammonia. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/05/2009, 11:23 PM	#8
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	michael the tank was given to me from a friend. it was a damn mess to be honest. my nitrates where so high i had to change the substrate as everything was in buckets. i didnt clean the sand before i put it in the tank. so i had to redo everything. the LR wasnt cleaned though. didnt think i should do it. i did reuse some of the old water, which i now think was a bad idea. ive been using stability as directed. from another post about this it has been suggested i might have to many fish. what is your opinion on this?

06/05/2009, 11:25 PM	#9
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	tod the fish came with the tank. the tank was up about a yr before i got it. is there anything like ammo lock for saltwater? would it work?

06/05/2009, 11:29 PM	#10
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	basically you have added too many fish too quickly, the tank never cycled and so you have now prolonged the cycle. with regular water changes you will eventually get there, dont add any chemicals or start listening to web gossip about quick solutions, as todd mentioned it would be better if the fish were not in there, but assuming its a done deal now a little patience and water changes is the only thing you need to practise at this moment. the nitrates will eventually fall a bit, but it could be a while before that happens as you are overstocked at the moment because the bacteria colony cannont keep up with the fish waste. im still unsure as to your tank size, but if it is 30 gallon you cant add anything else. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

06/05/2009, 11:43 PM	#11
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	yes its a 30.

06/05/2009, 11:45 PM	#12
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	ok at this point how many water changes a week? 6 gal of 30 right? how often should i be changing my filter pad?

06/05/2009, 11:59 PM	#13
ricksconnected Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ga Posts: 201	ok guys, thank you for your time here. i guess water changes and some good luck is what i need. can i expect to lose any fish or crabs/snails through all of this?

06/06/2009, 12:03 AM	#14
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	id sugest 8-10 gallons every 2 days or so until the ammonia is at 0 for a couple of days then weekly, no reason why you should lose any fish if you keep changing water, you may do, but lets hope not, as you have confirmed its a 30 gallon id suggest removing at least 2 of the fish as well, start right now and the system will benefit from it, its going to be a bit of a battle with your current livestock numbers to get the tank clear, and of course to avoid future algae problems, anyhow best of luck. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)