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mikebbass
Guest
ThankS for the quick reply. Its a 50 gallon with a Rena xp3 filter. 80 pounds of live sand and 50 pounds of live rock. The ph is at 8.0
I hate to say "first try because" it implies an impending fish-a-cide
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Did you check the pH at lights off or lights on?
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439966
Did you check the pH at lights off or lights on?
I check it every morning, so it was at lights on.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439966
Did you check the pH at lights off or lights on?
I check it every morning, so it was at lights on.
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mikebbass
Guest
I have not done anything to the tank other than to remove all the dead fish and the cardinals and clam already seem to be doing better. Now they are swimming at lower levels and no longer gasping. I am heading to the LFS to get the water tested.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Do you have a refugium or an algae scrubber on a separate timer than your display tank lights on an alternate schedule? If you don't, then that is why your pH is low in the mornings. Check your pH right before lights out and it will be a little higher. ~8.2 - 8.3
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh ok. I hope it all works out. Can't wait to hear the report.
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439974
Do you have a refugium or an algae scrubber on a separate timer than your display tank lights on an alternate schedule? If you don't, then that is why your pH is low in the mornings. Check your pH right before lights out and it will be a little higher. ~8.2 - 8.3
I dont have any of that stuff. I have a tank, filter, light, heater and thermometer. At night I turn the lights to the blue setting and in the morning I turn on the brights. Nothing is automatic. Could a PH spike or drop kill the fish?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439975
Oh ok. I hope it all works out. Can't wait to hear the report.
Thanks and thanks for not saying "I told you so" I will report back.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439974
Do you have a refugium or an algae scrubber on a separate timer than your display tank lights on an alternate schedule? If you don't, then that is why your pH is low in the mornings. Check your pH right before lights out and it will be a little higher. ~8.2 - 8.3
I dont have any of that stuff. I have a tank, filter, light, heater and thermometer. At night I turn the lights to the blue setting and in the morning I turn on the brights. Nothing is automatic. Could a PH spike or drop kill the fish?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439975
Oh ok. I hope it all works out. Can't wait to hear the report.
Thanks and thanks for not saying "I told you so" I will report back.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Lol. You will learn in your own way over time what works for you. I'm not here to judge, just to help when you need it.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh and no, that much of a pH drop should not have killed your fish. It was most likely an ammonia spike that killed your fish. I highly suggest reading about the nitrogen cycle and check out some of my Snakes methods threads.
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439982
Oh and no, that much of a pH drop should not have killed your fish. It was most likely an ammonia spike that killed your fish. I highly suggest reading about the nitrogen cycle and check out some of my Snakes methods threads.
The LFS agrees with you. They said they suspect an ammonia spike. They said to not touch the tank for about a week, then test to see if the cycle is finished. He also said my PH was really low (his test using the same amount of water and the same chemical showed a much lower level than mine.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3439982
Oh and no, that much of a pH drop should not have killed your fish. It was most likely an ammonia spike that killed your fish. I highly suggest reading about the nitrogen cycle and check out some of my Snakes methods threads.
The LFS agrees with you. They said they suspect an ammonia spike. They said to not touch the tank for about a week, then test to see if the cycle is finished. He also said my PH was really low (his test using the same amount of water and the same chemical showed a much lower level than mine.
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440134
How is the water movement in the tank? The water movement should resemble boiling water at the surface of the water.
Well I dont have much of a frame of reference here my only water flow comes from the filter which does 350GPH. I have the output from the filter pointing up so it breaks the surface of the water and comes back down.
On another note I went to Nemo's and it was much cleaner and I didnt see any dead fish. The guy there was very helpful and most importantly he didnt try to sell me anything, he said to just wait out the cycle and then come back.
He did say I should get a sump instead of using the canister. I have been trying to research sumps and then apparently I need a pump to go with it. Does the pump rating need to be the same as the overflow rating? meaning if my overflow does 600 gph does my pump have to do exactly 600 gph or should it be no more than 600gph or no less than 600 gph? My guess is it has to pretty much be the same. If its less then you overflow, if its more than the sump would be always almost empty.
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440134
How is the water movement in the tank? The water movement should resemble boiling water at the surface of the water.
Well I dont have much of a frame of reference here my only water flow comes from the filter which does 350GPH. I have the output from the filter pointing up so it breaks the surface of the water and comes back down.
On another note I went to Nemo's and it was much cleaner and I didnt see any dead fish. The guy there was very helpful and most importantly he didnt try to sell me anything, he said to just wait out the cycle and then come back.
He did say I should get a sump instead of using the canister. I have been trying to research sumps and then apparently I need a pump to go with it. Does the pump rating need to be the same as the overflow rating? meaning if my overflow does 600 gph does my pump have to do exactly 600 gph or should it be no more than 600gph or no less than 600 gph? My guess is it has to pretty much be the same. If its less then you overflow, if its more than the sump would be always almost empty.
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mikebbass
Guest
Is the Rapids Pro Series Wet/Dry Filter Systems worth a crap? Is it really wet/dry it just looks like a canister filter.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Building your own sump out of another aquarium is sometimes cheaper and better than one you can buy pre-built.
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440217
Building your own sump out of another aquarium is sometimes cheaper and better than one you can buy pre-built.
coincidentally I am watching a video on youtube about that right now.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440217
Building your own sump out of another aquarium is sometimes cheaper and better than one you can buy pre-built.
coincidentally I am watching a video on youtube about that right now.
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mikebbass
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440219
coincidentally I am watching a video on youtube about that right now.
Hmmm I cant find a "Snakes method for DIY sumps".
another question do I want sump or wet/dry filter? I thought the guy at the lfs said wet/dry because he was talking about getting dissolved oxygen by water flowing over the bioballs (but not submerged)
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440219
coincidentally I am watching a video on youtube about that right now.
Hmmm I cant find a "Snakes method for DIY sumps".
another question do I want sump or wet/dry filter? I thought the guy at the lfs said wet/dry because he was talking about getting dissolved oxygen by water flowing over the bioballs (but not submerged)
travelerjp98
Active Member
Hmmm maybe I'll try Nemo's again. Last time I was there I was severely unimpressed, but I guess if they are getting better it wouldn't hurt.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440239
Hmmm I cant find a "Snakes method for DIY sumps".
another question do I want sump or wet/dry filter? I thought the guy at the lfs said wet/dry because he was talking about getting dissolved oxygen by water flowing over the bioballs (but not submerged)
LOL, how did you hear about the snake's methods thread???
I guess if you want I'll write one up. Should take about an hour. I think I have a few leftover pics from my 10g sump build.
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide/20#post_3440239
Hmmm I cant find a "Snakes method for DIY sumps".
another question do I want sump or wet/dry filter? I thought the guy at the lfs said wet/dry because he was talking about getting dissolved oxygen by water flowing over the bioballs (but not submerged)
LOL, how did you hear about the snake's methods thread???
I guess if you want I'll write one up. Should take about an hour. I think I have a few leftover pics from my 10g sump build.
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mikebbass
Guest
Despite my overstocking and incomplete cycle I still did my research. I've read a few of you methods. Please don't write one just for me. I am really kind of stuck figuring out what filtration I actually need. I've got over 50 pounds of live rock and 80 pounds of live sand in a 50 gallon tank. What else do I need? A sump a wet/dry a refugium? The Lfs guy says I should get a wet/dry but the four ms seem to say that bio balls are nitrate factories. If I do go with a sump or wet/dry then how much flow? If I have a sump and pump don't 1000gph do I still need power heads? I love the idea of a s ump just so I can hide the heaters and skimmer
mmyuki
Member
Hey there MikeBBass it seems you are doing ok for now for sure need to upgrade that lighting and get more flow inside your tank. If you have some time on your hands to do a lot of learning and a lot of reading check out this thread.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/382927/another-new-guy-to-the-hobby-need-suggesstions
This is my thread here on the beginners section for when I first started my tank, I asked a ton of questions and I also got a ton of answers by a ton of different people, and there are a ton of pictures to go along with it!
There are a lot of people on these forums and all have good advice, like I said check out that thread and let me know what you think.
I have asked questions about everything in this hobby from sumps, to fuges to DIY stuff and I have done a lot of it and have videos and pictures to go along with it.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/382927/another-new-guy-to-the-hobby-need-suggesstions
This is my thread here on the beginners section for when I first started my tank, I asked a ton of questions and I also got a ton of answers by a ton of different people, and there are a ton of pictures to go along with it!
There are a lot of people on these forums and all have good advice, like I said check out that thread and let me know what you think.
I have asked questions about everything in this hobby from sumps, to fuges to DIY stuff and I have done a lot of it and have videos and pictures to go along with it.