Final Question Today (Promise)

[sandy]

So, given the specifics of my last three posts (specifically "Please Read & Respond" :
Do another 10 gal water change today? Or leave it alone and monitor?
Recap:
New Tank (One Month) and full of critters. <img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />
DSB. 30lbs LR. Not running the skimmer. Ammonia ZERO. Nitrites close to zero BUT NOT ZERO <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" /> Nitrates between 20 and 40. PH 8.2. Specific Gravity 1.023. Temp 78. Everyone seems to be okay. May have lost 1 pepperment shrimp last night. OR it was a molt.
10 gal change last Sunday. New, well-cured 8lb LR Monday. 5 gal "refresh" water change this morning.
Do or DO NOT do 10 more gallons today? Should I just Leave it Alone? No QT... can set up a 20 gal in a pinch.

 

[sandy]

Ummmm fshhub?
(I know I've been demanding today -- thanks for your help). Please look at my pics.
<a href="http://www.yourphotos.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_album&aid=15790&name=Sandy%27s%20Fish" target="_blank">http://www.yourphotos.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_album&aid=15790&name=Sandy%27s%20Fish</a>

 

[sinner's girl]

hey, Sandy, how can i see your pic's?
your link brings me to yourphotos.com but not to your actual photos.

 

[fshhub]

i hate to say, because as i mentioned earlier, you are kinda between a rock and a hard place, i personaly would watch it, and make sure it does not go much higher, then do a water change, if it starts to climb much, but i hate to give you advice here, in fear of your shrimp and inverts
i myself would want to see it come down on it's own,but you cannot jeopardixze your tanks inhabitants
i forget you got a dsb??
i don't think so, if so htis would help you out alot, a dsb is 4 to 6 inch sand bed
and no matter how you handle the situation, i would add no more fish for at least a month, after the problem is resolved, and monitor the water forhtat time, to make sure it stays down where it should be
HTH

 

[sandy]

So, should I do another 10 gal tonight or wait until maintenance on Sat or Sun?

 

[sandy]

oops, did not read fshhub post clearly. Wait. Test. Got it. Thanks.

 

[fshhub]

here iswhati woudl do, and take it as that(not anything else, but what i would do, because like i said, i am almost affraid to answer you here, you are in a bad spot with the inverts and the trites in eitehr caseit is a gamble)
i would wait on the change, but still monitor the trItes closely, as well as all your water parameters, and if it gets any worse, then i would do the change, but if it starts to come down(whether now or next month no matter how long and not until then) then i would wait until they reach zero before doing the change and not before, i hope someone will corrrrect me if i am at all wrong, but that is what i would do i do not like trites in my tank but i feel the need to complete the cycle
don't get me wrong, i am not affraid to tell you of what is going on, i just want you to realize that you may have a problem that could go either way, no matter your decision(and that is the course of action i would take, personaly, but i also do not want you to get upset with me if it goes wrong no matter which way you choose)
iam pulling for you, and hope this all turns out for the best, i am just affraid that if youwait the trites could give you a problem and if you don't you may not stabilize soon(and i mean in the next months, not weeks) which in itself could be other problems

 

[sandy]

Thanks! And I would never be upset at you (or anyone on this list) for giving me advice or suggestions, no matter the outcome. I have learned that I would be totally nuts if I took every persons advice. I listen/read, check here, check links, check LFS... etc. I have not been steered wrong once here.
I appreciate your responses so much. THANK YOU. Everyone has something to add here. I take what I need and leave the rest.
Finally, I understand that my previous choices were what put me in this spot. The responsibilty rests on me. So far, I have been very fortunate. The reason I ask about the water change... is just what you confirmed -- that too many changes may delay a full cycle -- keeping my critters in poison longer.