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sunfish11

In need of a major overhaul

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4 Comments
by
sunfish11
, 01-07-2010 at 12:27 AM (1512 Views)
So, I am trying to blog for the first time. My 4.5 year old 210 gallon tank isn't doing well. It had about 2 years in the middle when it really looked nice. I overstocked it. Didn't do my water changes as I should. In my defence I have been traveling hard-core for the last three years. As long as I kept up the water changes I could keep a over stocked tank and I didn't have any problems. As soon as I slacked off I got Ich and lost 5 fish. Corals were still ok though at that point. One of those fish I lost was so important to the ecology of my tank that since he has been gone things have never been the same. I got a replacement from a trusted source that is thriving...he doesn't like to eat what I want him too...yes a Copper Band. The stinker I got is healthy and gorgeous but doesn't like aiptaisia. The nerve of this stupid fish. I hate that little bastard...a lot. WTF...eat the aiptasia. Sorry for the break in sanity there. Anyway, I have virtually no cleaning crew left so I will need to choose a new one. I still have some hermits, but no snails since my old CBB liked to bite off their eyeballs. The new one doesn't eat anything but fish food, so no worries there. I haven't bought a cleaning crew in a few years. My fighting conch of 4 years died recently. I was sad . So I bet you are wondering what the tank parameters are...ME TOO! My test kits are all expired...Yup all of them. I do know that my nitrates are off the charts. I just happen to have a nitrate reactor from Finn's Reef just sitting around gathering dust. I am waiting for a new impeller, again, so that can put that to work and hopefully help that issue out. The fish are doing fine but my corals have been gradually getting crappier over the last year. I have moved many to my other tanks so that they didn't die. Some of my long time favorites are sucking hind t!t right now. My giant bubble is on the verge of death and my giant fox has receded. Much of the rampaging anthelia died...that is AWESOME! I do have some nice chalice that is just thriving. Aptasias are stinging the crap out of a lot of my coral so I am thinking about ordering 500 pepermint shrimp...jk...15 or so should help. I hope. Anyway, I have some time this month were I wont be traveling and I can dedicate some time to this tank. Please advise or follow along as you will. I am thinking of removing a lot of the rock and replacing the sand.
Current fish
Naso
Convict
Regal
Orange shouder
CBB
Blue Throat Trigger
Coral Beauty
2 Anthias
2 Chromis
3 Percula
2 Skunk Clowns
Whip fin wrasse
cleaner wrasse
4 cleaner shrimp
Misc crabs

Fish lost last Feb to ich/Coral were still fine then

2 anthias
midas blenny
1.7 year Achilles tang
2 year CBB
Potter Angel

I used to keep all my parameters pretty standard, but until I get new tests I won't be sure what is going on...

Lisa

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Updated 01-07-2010 at 11:57 AM by Jessy

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‎ Tank - Full Summary

Comments

  1. melev's Avatar
    You have a lot of big fish that put out a significant amount of waste, and they are the kind that need to be fed often since they are grazers in nature. So water parameters are going to be pretty rough, especially with lack of maintenance.

    Typically, when the weather gets cold people tend to focus on their tanks because they can't get out. The beautiful summer months their tanks run on auto-pilot. Ask any fish store when their business is best and when it is at its worst, and you'll see the parallel. Why not take a water sample to your local store and have them test everything since your kits are expired? Get an idea of what you need to work on.

    That denitrifying reactor is a godsend for your system. With that fish load, you need something that will keep those nitrates down so your corals can thrive. For now, do some 50% water changes. Each one you do will cut the nitrate in half, so if you do three in one week, that will be a big step in the right direction. The reactor will take a while to mature, then it can start helping your reef.

    I like ordering my livestock from KeysCritters.com, but you can order clean up crews from other companies as well. Time to add a bunch at once, after a few huge water changes.

    Let's see some of those pretty pictures.
  2. doomicon's Avatar
    Sunfish, I'm in a similar situation. Subscribing and tracking your progress!

    WOW, that is alot of fish!
  3. sunfish11's Avatar
    Thanks for the reply Marc and doomicon. You are right about the summer months. It is hard to focus on an indoor project when it is warm outside. I am going to order some new test kits on-line. The fish stores are far away around here. I may have to go over an hour to find one that actually tests water. I am just going to get the basics replaced for now. I generally get Salifert so I am going to get Alk, Calcium, Magnesium, P04, and Nitrate (although with a dip strip the trates are off the charts). I replaced my Chemipure (after 6 months) and I can already see a difference in the coral extension and water clarity. Unfortunately I can't store enough water to do a 50% water change. I am limited to 40 gallons at a time. I just did one on Sunday and I should have another 40 gal ready tomorrow. I could have done it faster...I actually intended to, but...well I didn't. I used to do 40 Gallons once a week for the first 3 years like clockwork when my tank was doing well even with a large fish load. I am supposed to get a new 60 gallon holding tank from my friend SaraB, but I haven't yet. I have always run some trates though even before I got that many fish. I have a few slabs of volcanic rock in the tank that I have always been suspicious of so I might remove those this weekend. They have been there since the begining but... I really don't want to add the cleaning crew till get the trates down a little. The crabs usually wouldn't mind much, but the snails can be more sensitive. I may vaccuum the heck out of the sand that I can get too when I change the water.

    Lisa
  4. melev's Avatar
    It sounds like you've got a good plan of action. Hopefully your schedule will allow you to stick to it and get the tank back on track.