sooo...i thought i was cycled...PLEASE HELP

romeo22 · 11/05/2006, 07:22 PM

here we go...i have had my little 3 gallon pico tank up and running for 2 weeks with just LR and LS.

before I went to the LFS i checked all parameters and had 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and a trace of Nitrates.

I picked up a cleaner shrimp, 3 blue legged hermits, and a baby perc (before you flame, I will be transferring him into my brother in laws 30 gallon reef when he moves in next month.)

Here's my problem...I think I'm going through another cycle. Once i put the clown in, he went right to a little cave, and has pretty much stayed there, aside from this morning when i fed him. and he did eat!

but throughout the day i've kept an eye on him, and noticed that he is sitting in this little cave, but he looks like he is swimming face first into the rock. something just doesn't look right.

i tested the water and found this:

pH 8.2
Ammonia 1.0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 0-5 ppm
1.025
78.4 F

Should I do a water change right now?

Tremolo · 11/05/2006, 07:35 PM

im still a noobie but from what I have read when in doubt it never hurts to do a water change.

romeo22 · 11/05/2006, 07:42 PM

i just did a 25% wc, so hopefully that will help...
it almost looks like the clown is resting in the little cave...flapping his gills pretty quickly...i feel bad for the little guy....

Happan · 11/05/2006, 07:43 PM

A water change I don't think would hurt. The problem, at least IMO is you added to much bio load in a short time frame.

Sk8r · 11/05/2006, 07:44 PM

Ditto the bioload. You can do a succession of water changes a day apart. Try to keep it under control.

tkeracer619 · 11/05/2006, 07:48 PM

Feed less and do daily water changes. Once you are back under control feed normally. Should clear up soon.

Swanwillow · 11/05/2006, 07:51 PM

yup- nano tanks are tricky, only add one thing at a time. one shrimp, one snail, one crab, one fish...

it'll be ok with water changes.

Guggey · 11/05/2006, 07:52 PM

The clownfish could just be stressed from the new environment. Do SMALL water changes so your salinity won't fluctuate which would stress it even more. Just keep an eye on it for a couple of days it will eventully stop hiding.

romeo22 · 11/05/2006, 08:18 PM

since the tank is so small, could i do very small water changes twice a day? would that help?

Guggey · 11/05/2006, 08:20 PM

very small change once a day would be sufficent.

11/05/2006, 07:22 PM	#1
romeo22 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 85	sooo...i thought i was cycled...PLEASE HELP here we go...i have had my little 3 gallon pico tank up and running for 2 weeks with just LR and LS. before I went to the LFS i checked all parameters and had 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and a trace of Nitrates. I picked up a cleaner shrimp, 3 blue legged hermits, and a baby perc (before you flame, I will be transferring him into my brother in laws 30 gallon reef when he moves in next month.) Here's my problem...I think I'm going through another cycle. Once i put the clown in, he went right to a little cave, and has pretty much stayed there, aside from this morning when i fed him. and he did eat! but throughout the day i've kept an eye on him, and noticed that he is sitting in this little cave, but he looks like he is swimming face first into the rock. something just doesn't look right. i tested the water and found this: pH 8.2 Ammonia 1.0 ppm Nitrites 0 ppm Nitrates 0-5 ppm 1.025 78.4 F Should I do a water change right now?

11/05/2006, 07:44 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Ditto the bioload. You can do a succession of water changes a day apart. Try to keep it under control. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/05/2006, 07:48 PM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Feed less and do daily water changes. Once you are back under control feed normally. Should clear up soon. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/05/2006, 07:51 PM	#7
Swanwillow goby girl Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bemidji MN Posts: 2,025	yup- nano tanks are tricky, only add one thing at a time. one shrimp, one snail, one crab, one fish... it'll be ok with water changes. __________________ my advice:walk away. do nothing. til tomorrow. if its still alive, it will hopefully be fine. If you do not see it, do not try to find it. it may be hiding. just LEAVE it alone Current Tank Info: starting over! 125 gallon. Soon to be home to Blackfoot clowns, A. nigripes

11/05/2006, 07:35 PM	#2
Tremolo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aurora IL Posts: 644	im still a noobie but from what I have read when in doubt it never hurts to do a water change.

11/05/2006, 07:42 PM	#3
romeo22 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 85	i just did a 25% wc, so hopefully that will help... it almost looks like the clown is resting in the little cave...flapping his gills pretty quickly...i feel bad for the little guy....

11/05/2006, 07:43 PM	#4
Happan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michgan Posts: 37	A water change I don't think would hurt. The problem, at least IMO is you added to much bio load in a short time frame.

11/05/2006, 07:52 PM	#8
Guggey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 48	The clownfish could just be stressed from the new environment. Do SMALL water changes so your salinity won't fluctuate which would stress it even more. Just keep an eye on it for a couple of days it will eventully stop hiding.

11/05/2006, 08:18 PM	#9
romeo22 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 85	since the tank is so small, could i do very small water changes twice a day? would that help?

11/05/2006, 08:20 PM	#10
Guggey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 48	very small change once a day would be sufficent.