Large tank with Nitrate problems (dying fish)

[shadowshield]

I have a large tank that used to be lobster tank, I removed the chiller unit, as it was bad and made a lot of racket, not to mention I want tropical fish, not cold water fish.
In the tank there are two pipes rising to the water surface on each end, water then flows down into the pipes into a sump below the tank, maybe around 35 gallons. a pump pulls the water thru a screen material from under the sump back up in the tank in the center and spits it back out.
I was told the sump would act as the filter, but I'm wondering if something else needs to be added to the system.
I started the tank out with goldfish, and they lived for several weeks, I do water changes about twice a week, and have lost all of the goldfish.
We also have a small green spotted puffer fish that looked sad at walmart (i know bad idea) and he is currently in the tank, at first he was sick, so I added salt to the water over time, currently he is still alive, but the nitrates are off the chart.
I have several live plants to try and control it, but nothing is helping.
And advice would be appreciated.
Video of the Tank

 

[meowzer]

This is a freshwater tank? All you have for a filter is a screen?

 

[shadowshield]

when i bought the tank that is how it was setup.
yes it is a saltwater tank.

 

[meowzer]

So you put fw goldfish, and a fw puffer in fw...then added salt????
Maybe you can explain...first..what size tank, and how did you start this tank...from the beginning

 

[usirchchris]

I am confused as to whether this is a freshwater or saltwater tank as well

 

[shadowshield]

sorry, i used the goldfish to cycle the tank, the goldfish were removed after about 2 weeks, and died almost right away, i used the same water as was in the sump.
the puffer seems to be doing ok after salt was added, the fish guy at the store said he was freshwater, but everywhere i read says they are saltwater.
I think something is up with the setup, and I'm missing some important piece of hardware.
I do not want to buy anything more until i get this under control.
the tank is 120 gallons i think, with a 35gallon sump.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by shadowshield
http:///forum/post/2946973
sorry, i used the goldfish to cycle the tank, the goldfish were removed after about 2 weeks, and died almost right away, i used the same water as was in the sump.
the puffer seems to be doing ok after salt was added, the fish guy at the store said he was freshwater, but everywhere i read says they are saltwater.
I think something is up with the setup, and I'm missing some important piece of hardware.
I do not want to buy anything more until i get this under control.
the tank is 120 gallons i think, with a 35gallon sump.
You used freshwater goldfish to cycle a saltwater tank?? If so, you are missing more than hardware...or did you just add salt to a freshwater setup?

 

[meowzer]

I'm sorry I'm really confused on this one.....I think you need someone who has a lot more know how than I do

 

[jpa0741]

Sounds like to me he setup a fresh water tank. The spotted puffer he bought can be in fresh, brackish or acclimated to full salt. I think the LFS got him all turned around. First thing you need to decide is what kind of setup you want. Fresh, brackish or salt. Then we can go from there. But yes you are missing some important parts, but we will get to that after we know where to start.

 

[rcreations]

I think you should buy a book on saltwater tanks first. If I understand it right, you had a fish in the tank, then you added salt? First of all the salt and water need to be mixed in a separate container, with a powerhead for 24-48 hrs. Then you can add it to the tank. Never put salt in a tank with fish. Second, you need to put a protein skimmer in your sump. It will act as a filter and remove the fish waste and other organics. That'll be your main filter. You can also add live rock rubble in the sump and macro algae. This will help reduce the nitrates. But best thing is to buy a book and you'll get all this info in much more detail.

 

[shadowshield]

the salt was added over time as directed on the box.
it was added to the sump, and not the main tank, there is a airstone in the sump to help with that.
i'm sure I did not do things right in setting this up, i'm asking where to go from here, what steps should be taken to correct mistakes made, I want a saltwater tank, not fresh water.

 

[florida joe]

If you are serious about this project and want to get some good advice from the members I suggest you post some detailed pictures. It is really hard as least for me to see what is going on via the video

 

[spanko]

Detailed pictures and an explanation of what you want this tank to be, saltwater marine tank or a freshwater tank.

 

[ilovemytank]

I think you need to get out of the hobby until you have done some serious research !!!! Please don't kill anything else until you learn more.

 

[shadowshield]

Images have been added to the main post.
I tried to make it as detailed as possible drawing out the flow of water.
again, this is a commercial lobster tank, nothing has been changed in its setup except the removal of a chiller.
As this started off as a saltwater tank, I would like for it to remain so, my goal is to have various saltwater fish, live rock/coral.
The current setup may have been fine for lobsters, but I know more is needed to make it for fish.
starting off i had issues with fish getting sucked into The overflow pipes, I covered them with screen cups to prevent that, in the future i plan to install a plexiglass box around them to prevent fish from entering it, and avoid collection of waste at that location.

 

[nissan577]

im sorry to say but go with the advice given above. once you've done a complete research on how to maintain a saltwater tank, how to start one, etc... then start all over. but research everything. if it was up to me. i would drain all the water out, research, upgrade completely, start slow and work my way up. you will learn alot here. but do some research your self.

 

[shyfish]

Hi,
If I understand what is happening...
You bought a saltwater tank. You know nothing about saltwater and did no homework. You just jumped in.
You used fresh water to set up your tank, and thought you could cycle it using goldfish first. Then when the goldfish died you tried to rescue a sad saltwater puffer fish you saw in the store.
You brought it home and added salt to the tank to try and keep the puffer happy.
The fresh water killed off all bacteria from the saltwater setup. The added salt was too much too soon for your now very sick puffer. He is tough and is hanging on for now.
Now you learn you should have been doing water tests, which would not have been that critical in a freshwater setup.
With the added salt, your tank is cycling. You have lots of die off because of the fresh water you added to the sump.
What you need is a book... Fast! Not that you will save the puffer, but you might be able to learn enough to understand what’s going on with a saltwater tank and what is different than a freshwater, and what to do next.
Your new purchase is not ruined, but you are far, far away from being ready for fish or corals.
Your one and only purchase for now is a good book, try Saltwater Aquariums for dummies. It is very detailed and explains in very plain words the ins and outs of keeping a saltwater tank.
If I am wrong on understanding what you did, please forgive me, it is just what it sounds like from my end.

 

[meowzer]

Yeah I think I'd drain the tank and start over...do you have sand or Live Rock yet? Get a small fw tank for your puffer before it dies. with fw all you need to do is buy a small set up and go with it. Don't try to move forward from here...it will cost you big money and a lot of fish their lives.

 

[small triggers]

I am agreeing with setting up a small tank for the puffer. BUT you could add uncured LR (after you read a few great books about SW setups) and Live sand to start cycling your tank. You have to PRE-Make your water,, not put the salt in the tank to get the salinity up. I would start with that and read alot over the next month or 2 since that is how long it sill take to cycle your tank. you will also need alot more equipment depending on what fish you want to have, and especially if you want corals down the road. Any book from Julian Sprung, Bob Fenner, Scott w Michael and James Delbeek would be helpful (most libraries carry these also) Do not get a book more than about 7 years old for it will be 'old' technology. GOOD LUCK.

 

[florida joe]

I think it’s got great potential for a project tank (but I have be called crazy) can you post any pics of your sump. first get your live stock out of the tank and back to your LFS