This is probably the first post i should have written because of its apparent importance and my lack of understand and knowledge of such things. I studied alot of websites, read the needs, and did my reasearch, however, i don't think I have learned much at all. Maybe i didn't ask the right questions, or maybe i was just too excited, either way, i need some schooling. I started a 20 gallon tank with a few nice pieces of live rock, with a few corals attached, other than the algae i have been successfull, growing and reproducing the corals and my two little damsels thriving and happy. I took common sence measures to fix the algea problem and have been slowly getting rid of the algae. Then, i decided i should go on to the next step, the aquarium i had wanted all along. So i built a refugium following and copying all that were successful. So then i have a 55 gallon with a 30 gallon refugium. I added water and salt and about 4 days later a buddy of mine with a small tank decided he was getting out of the hobby, having the extra room i bought his fish from him. 5 more days later i'm watching my banded coral shrimp drop his claws (thought it was molting) and sit very still in the tank, then i noticed one of my damsels swimming in one spot and looking lethargic (maybe food change from the brine shrimp culture i started). I had to work and upon return home, i noticed red gills on the damsel, and purple gills on the shrimp-- apparent amonia poisoning. I immediatly grabbed a small 5 gallon tank added about 2 inches of water to the 5 gallon tank from the 55 and got all the fish in there. I then siphoned a fast drip into the small tank from my 20 gallon (thank god i didn't take it down) to hopefully counteract the poisoning. I lost my shrimp.. And my little damsel has apparent brain damage, so i don't expect him to live much longer. It's sad, i know, i look at all my babies as just that, my babies. All the other fish are ok now residing in the 20 gallon, i saved them. The problem with all this is, i never bought a test kit, which will be bought today. I also never asked anyone about water parameters, i assumed i could do it all naturally because of my success in fresh water. I can't even take that tank down because the guarmi's won't stop breeding, and the water is clear and the plants look awesome. So here are the questions. What are ideal parameters for running a tank with a few fish and mostly coral? If ammonia levels get too high, how do i quickly counteract it? nitrates? phosphates? Assumed that an alklinity around 8 is good for both, what would be a good way to maintain it? What are some things i can do, and how often should i do them in order to prevent a crash like this? I'm very angry at myself that i didn't ask these questions. I do so much reasearch and try to learn as much as i can that sometimes people mistake my knowledge as experience, so maybe thats why noone questioned me about what i was doing. I am definatly open to scrutiny now.
I beleive the problem that caused this crash was that you added to many fish at one time and the tank wasn't ready for the extra bio load. It is normally not a good thing to add that many fish at once to a new tank (less than a year old).It takes a tank about three weeks to a month to cycle out the ammonia stages. It is a wise choice to have test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. if your tank cycles properly and the bioload doesn't get overloaded you should never have ammonia or nitrites and the nitrates should be kept as low as possible 20ppm or less IMO. Water changes once a week of 15% to 20% would take care of the nitrates. If your water changes can keep the alk. @ 8-12 and cal. 380-420 I wouldn't worry about dosing any alk. or cal. your refugium should help keep the phos. low on its own. Just try not to add to many animals at one time and you will not have another problem like this again. Slow and steady is a good thing in the saltwater hobby. If you have any more questions I will try and answer all that I can. Good Luck
that makes alot of sence, i just figured that since i had about 70 gallons of capacity it wouldn't hit it as hard, (i was wrong). I'm just glad i was able to save all but two of the fish... I've also been reading alot about nitrates and phosphates over at the reef tank (yawn) and i think another problem i had was not enough live rock... I didn't realize the balance was so delicate... I'm a beginner so it seems i've had my first falling off the horse so to speak... I really had intended to let the tank run for a few weeks before adding animals. Any things i should look for in the future, like, how would i know if my phosphates got too high? that seems like a more scary and suden crash... From what i could tell at the reef tank forums conversation, all the algae and bacteria hold this and should the cultures die, the phosphates could possibly be dumped. Is this true or did i misunderstand it? If this did happen, what could i do to save the tank? I also would like a little info on various equipment. For instance what is a calk reactor? and whats it do? the retail jargon doesn't help much if you don't know its purpose. and what are the various chemicals i see spoken of like phosban, and most of the products from kent marine? And when would i know to use them? Lol i took chemestry in high school but that was 12 years ago and i forgot alot of it... My mom is a waste water treatment plant operator, so she usually counteracts the various salts and even adds phosphates to the water to make it drinkable, so her help on the matter was limited. She taught me most of what i know about freshwater growing up, but salt water was out of her category. lol got me a free phosphates test kit out of the deal tho...
Honestly... Its not that hard... I say this is good measure b/c really it isnt... Unless you are keeping SPS and very delicate fish you shouldnt have to dive into the chemical mix that far. I have never heard of a tank crashing b/c of phosphates. They do inhibit growth though with most corals so its best to not have any. A simple fuge will take care of this and you shouldnt ever have to test or worry with these if you have a simple system. Same with the calk reactor. Unless you are dumping Ozone or running a Calcium reactor there would be no need of this device either. Main thing is not to add anything fast or a lot of stuff at one time. Like Sam said... Slow and easy wins the race... Water changes are the best bet to all of your problems you will ever have... Freash RO water with new salt will work miracles... Its a good idea to learn about the advance chemistry but unless you are going over the top and want a zevoit system with all of the pastel colored sps and stuff you can get by with testing for nitrates... I use the simple quick dip test about once a week or so just to check and if I see something then I use the big kit and do a full test. Other than that its rather simple really. Good luck and remeber... Water changes are key...
Billdozer, I don't know where you live, but it would be a good idea for you to visit some of the members and look at their systems. I don't know of anyone who would not welcome you. I am in Conway and usually available to talk saltwater and fish most anytime. I can show you most of the equipment you will need and how it is used. I find it better to see it and ask questions than try to get your explanation on here. Don't get me wrong, the forums are great and I support them and read every post. I just think it would be good for you to see first hand. Our meetings are a great place to see and visit as they change location from month to month. Try not to miss this next one at Paradise Pets. I think you will enjoy it.
Thanks so much, i agree with you, that seeing and asking questions is the best way. I live in Hot Spings, and my fiancee and i have made plans to go to the meeting in Benton on the 16th, i'm really excited actually, not only to meet other reefers, but to learn about coral fragging and to hear the speaker also. So you will definatly see me there, unless i have to make a run to texas to help my mom, who might be moving that weekend, mom comes first...
