Reef Sanctuary - View Single Post

DaveK · 07-05-2007, 08:15 PM

This is going to be a rather radical post, but this is what I would do. This is not to beat up on Melanie, rather it's hopefully helpful advice.

Here is what you have -

A several year old reef system that has an ammonia problem, a nitrite problem, has been medicated, and has has stress coat dumped used on it.

The tank also suffers from an extremely low amount of live rock, a trickle filter, and a skimmer that is of limited function for the size tank in question.

In addition, the tank has suffered quite a few losses of livestock.

Here is what I recommend -

First, and most important, get yourself a couple of good books on state of the are reef systems. Here are a few I recommend -

The New Marine Aquarium, by Michael S. Paletta
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, byt Robert M. Fenner
The Reef Aquarium Science, Art, and Technology, by Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung (Note - This book, while excellent, is expensive)

The read and understand the information. Ask questions about critical areas that you don't understand.

Once you reach that point, tear down the existing tank and start over. It's going to be a lot easier to do that that it will be to try and fix a system that has gone that bad.

When you set it up again, use a decent amount of live rock, 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per gallon. Ideally you should cure it in another container. This will keep a lot of nitrated out of the tank.

Replace the skimmer with one worthy of the tank. Get one that is rated for a tank size of about 2 to 3 times what your tank size is. Manufactures tend to be "very optimistic".

Rethink the use of a trickle filter. There are much better ways.

Set up a quarantine tank and use it. It only needs to be 10 - 20 gal. Use that tank only to treat sick fish. Never ever medicate the main tank. There are no "reef safe" medications, despite what the LFS might say or the manufacturer say on the label.

Let the tank completely cycle. Don't add anything until the ammonia readings and nitrate readings are 0.

Now I know this is a radical approach, and often it's not necessary, but I believe that in this case it is justified. You will save yourself a lot of future headaches by cutting your losses now, and starting all over.

07-05-2007, 08:15 PM	#32 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 618 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Here We Go Again! This is going to be a rather radical post, but this is what I would do. This is not to beat up on Melanie, rather it's hopefully helpful advice. Here is what you have - A several year old reef system that has an ammonia problem, a nitrite problem, has been medicated, and has has stress coat dumped used on it. The tank also suffers from an extremely low amount of live rock, a trickle filter, and a skimmer that is of limited function for the size tank in question. In addition, the tank has suffered quite a few losses of livestock. Here is what I recommend - First, and most important, get yourself a couple of good books on state of the are reef systems. Here are a few I recommend - The New Marine Aquarium, by Michael S. Paletta The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, byt Robert M. Fenner The Reef Aquarium Science, Art, and Technology, by Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung (Note - This book, while excellent, is expensive) The read and understand the information. Ask questions about critical areas that you don't understand. Once you reach that point, tear down the existing tank and start over. It's going to be a lot easier to do that that it will be to try and fix a system that has gone that bad. When you set it up again, use a decent amount of live rock, 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per gallon. Ideally you should cure it in another container. This will keep a lot of nitrated out of the tank. Replace the skimmer with one worthy of the tank. Get one that is rated for a tank size of about 2 to 3 times what your tank size is. Manufactures tend to be "very optimistic". Rethink the use of a trickle filter. There are much better ways. Set up a quarantine tank and use it. It only needs to be 10 - 20 gal. Use that tank only to treat sick fish. Never ever medicate the main tank. There are no "reef safe" medications, despite what the LFS might say or the manufacturer say on the label. Let the tank completely cycle. Don't add anything until the ammonia readings and nitrate readings are 0. Now I know this is a radical approach, and often it's not necessary, but I believe that in this case it is justified. You will save yourself a lot of future headaches by cutting your losses now, and starting all over.