Tank Crash!!! - I think I know what I did - Let me know what you think

[coralbeauty]

My 3 year established 55 gallon reef tank developed a problem this week. My water quality has dropped. My A = 0.025, my Nitrites are 0.1 and my nitrates are 10. I am norally at 0/0/0-5. Ph, Alkalinity, Ca and phos are are normal.
I run a basic berlin system with my canaster and bio-wheel-less hangon filter only moving water with some basic fiber pads for gross filtration.
I think my problem is coming form one of three sources:
I did too much cleaning and I replaced three of the five fiber filter pads. I forgot how much nitrifiying bacteria those pads have in them!%@#! I think this is the main source of my problem??
OR
I added a used AquaC Remora Pro protein skimmer. It had some coraline algae that was dying off when I got it. I removed
all of it from the outside. Maybe there is some I did not get and it is dying off?
(It is working great!)
Or (and most unlikely)
I have this strange orange ball clam. It does not have a mantel, it only opens a small bivalue on the side. But I have not seen that open. It might be dying??? It smells a little funny but it's color is still good.
I have done a water change every night for the past two. I have added some ammonia lock stuff. I have added carbon to the tank filters? I have reduced the fish to one small feeding per day. I think I have to just keep the water changes up until the bacteria re-grows???
Other ideas?????
Thanks for any advice,
Connie

 

[up north hermit]

Hi Connie,
Sorry to hear of your frustrations, I know how it is.
From my experience, your dilemma could be the result of any of those things you mentioned, a combination of them, or none of them! Boy, this really helps.
I would guess that too much cleaning did result in some die-off, but I would think you would have enough bacteria in your tank to mutiply fast enough to handle the load.
Small, but consistant water changes will help, but I'm one that believes too many can just keep the cycle going. Let things balance out a bit.
I have been having interesting conversations of late regarding the almost insane need of hobbyists to have their tanks pristine clean. I asked Dr. Ron about this and his opinion (one of many, I know) was that it is one of the most harmful things we do to our tanks. Now I'm not talking about exporting harmful build-ups of nitrates, etc. Anyway, another subject.
I probably haven't helped too much, but keep us posted as to your situation.
My humble .02
Hermit

 

[mr . salty]

I also agree that changing all the filter pads at once probably did it. So now your tank is obviously in the middle of a RECYCLE. I would stop the water changes till it's done.This cycle should be a short one.Water changes are just prolonging the cycle.

 

[coralbeauty]

Thanks for the input. I made the change to the berlin like system only about three to four months ago. I forgot how sensitive the new system would be. It is a good learning for me. I will stop the water changes and see what happens.
Thanks again!
Connie

 

[coralbeauty]

I came home and tested my water and things are a little better. Ammonia 0.012 Nitrate 0.05, and Nitrate 5. All corals looked a little fuller and happier as well. Fish just look hungry!
Again, thanks for the advice!
Connie
[ May 03, 2001: Message edited by: coralbeauty ]