Yep, I need help yet one more time!

[jdennysgir]

As some of you know my tank basically crashed, almost everything I put it in died. It got a brown mucky slimy looking stuff on everything, rocks, powerheads, thermometer, everything. I have taken all live rock out and scrubbed with a toothbrush in a big tub with the aquarium water. I gave the big electric blue damsel away and I still have my yellow watchman goby and a few hermits. They are in a bucket with heater and airstone. I removed approx. 7 or 8 gallons of water and have replaced it. I took my fluval apart and cleaned it and put new charcoal bags into it. I ran it for a little while to clean some of the crud out of the tank that got stirred up when I took the rock out. After that I rinsed everything out again. Filter is clean, rocks are clean, powerheads are cleaned. A little while after I put the clean water in the tank I took readings and everything was OK except the ammonia was sky high! I'm thinking the spike is because of the big disturbance in the sand bed. Anyhow, I still have that fish in the bucket. What is my next move? Thanks, again.

 

[michaeltx]

IF ti was me I would find that fish a new home it will take some time for the tank to stablize after this drastic of a change. IT sounds like it needed it though. and since you have the ammonia source in there now it will kist take time to recycle the tank out. and then go slow. Did you ever figure out why this happened>
Mike

 

[cam78]

Yeah, why did this happen and how old was your tank?

 

[jdennysgir]

My tank is approx. 3 years old. I think it was neglect on my part. Just started letting things slide. I really want to get things up and running again. I can give my fish and hermits to my friend. So I need to cycle again? About how long will this take? I still have my original sand and live rock. I also have a skimmer that is not up yet.

 

[michaeltx]

with the ammonia source from the stir up your already on your way. just keep an eye on the levels since it was an established tank it may not take that long its hard to say though. And DARE I say neglect is one of the worst possible things to do to a tank if its not set up to be neglected. there are many auto dosing devices that can make the tank automatically adjust levels and keep everything in check with warnings when something gets out of wack its expensive though but something you might want to check out if its a time thing.
Mike

 

[reefforbrains]

if you have already done all the disturbing and moving around. Levels should come down fairly quickly. Large water changes to keep everything in check and just let the levels tell you when everythign is OK. If you jump the gun, you will do the exact same thing with another crash.

 

[jdennysgir]

When and how much of a water change should I do next? My tank is a 44 gallon.

 

[michaeltx]

What is your ammonia readings at right now.
and a good number is about 10-15% of the tank volume once or twice a month more if something is not in check.
in general you dont want your ammonia to hit the 1PPM range it can be deadly to even the bacteria at that level.
mike

 

[reefforbrains]

if everything is the way your going to keep it, change 50% twice or three times a week untill its stablized again. This might not keep levels low enough to the critters back in right now, but it will accellerate your stability since in theory your rock and fluval are still functioning filters removing toxins via live benificial bacteria.
How much rock do you have?
Also how high is "sky high"?

 

[jdennysgir]

Hey guys,
I am not at home right now to take a reading. I won't be home til tomorrow morning and I will check it again then. I didn't even look at the numbers, it was a really green color and I know that is far from being right. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated.

 

[jdennysgir]

Sorry, not sure about how much live rock is in there, I will post a picture tomorrow also.

 

[jdennysgir]

OK here are a few pics of my tank. Readings this morning are ph 8.0, ammonia 0.25, nitrates 0, nitrites 0, calcium 420, temp. 78, and salinity .028. The ammonia has gone down drastically from what it was yesterday. I am trying that skimmer for now as it was given to me and she said it worked for her, but she has decided not to use a skimmer anymore. I said I will see how it does for me. I have already read the reviews and most say they are junk but some also say they are ok. I will give it a try for now. I don't know exactly how much live rock is in there, maybe you can get an idea by the pictures. I appreciate all the help I am getting on trying to get back on my feet. Where do I go from here?

 

[puffer32]

Looking pretty good right now, looks like algae muck is gone. Let the ammonia come down to 0 I wouldn't do anything till then, but do a good water change when ammonia is 0. This will happen on its own, the water change will bring your trates down and you will be cycled again

 

[jdennysgir]

OK I assume I will need to purchase cleanup crew first. Suggestions on what to get and how many for my size tank. I will be having peaceful fish when it is time for that. What are the other things I should be testing for? How often and how much should I be changing my water from here on out? (I think that was my problem before, letting it go too long before water changes)

 

[mace]

Tank looks good. Kinda hard to do rock work in a HEX tank.

 

[jdennysgir]

Sure is! I ended up just having my hubby throw it all in there after I messed around with it for a bit! There are plenty of openings and places to hide though. If anyone has any good ideas as how to stock a peaceful tank and maybe later adding a few mushrooms or something please say so.

 

[jdennysgir]

How does this look for starters once my tank has stabilized? Any suggestions? Thanks.
Pistol Shrimp - Caribbean 9.99 $9.99
Nassarius Snail - Group of 10 9.99 $9.99
Emerald Crab - Group of 3 11.99 $11.99
Blueleg Hermit Crab - Group of 10 9.99 $9.99
Jawfish 14.99 $14.99
Shrimpgoby - Yellow Watchman 19.99 $19.99

 

[jdennysgir]

bump

 

[michaeltx]

I would get a beter mix of snails each have there own area of feeding some on glass other on the sand others on the rocks. I would skip the crabs though personal preference really but the emeralds can after small fish when they get bigger and the hermits will go after your snails for the shells to call home.
as far as the fish. what other fish are wanting on your all time wish list start there to see if its suitable for your tank then choose companion fish around that one.
Mike

 

[jdennysgir]

OK I am back in business! Tank is clean and parameters are all good. I have ordered a cleanup crew and will also be receiving a jawfish and a perc. clownfish that is owed to me. I have high hopes. I have a question that someone may know the answer to. I ordered the cleaner reef package and it contains a coral banded shrimp. I know they can be nasty and I want a peaceful tank so I mailed swf back and asked if they could substitue something else for it. Do you think they will? Thanks, again.