Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 I have a just about cyled tank and I recently added 2 blue reef Chromis's. As I went to feed them today I noticed one was missing and the other one was out having a good time. He was hiding in the rock and when he came fully out I could tell the bottom fin (one below the tail fin) looked white and kinda red. It looks like a injury of some kind but all I have in there is some hermits and turbos. Does anyone know what this may be?
skydive Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Aggression from the other maybe? If it was in the rocks it could be that it's rubbing it against the rocks alot. What's with the "just about cycled tank" and adding fish so soon?
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 Aggression from the other maybe? If it was in the rocks it could be that it's rubbing it against the rocks alot. What's with the "just about cycled tank" and adding fish so soon? They do go in the rock a lot. Are they usually agressive towards each other? I thought they like "friends"? My tank has 0 Ammonia, a little nitrites, and some nitrates. It also has 110 lbs of LR and was started with 30+ gallons of reef tank water.
skydive Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 If it's eating then I wouldn't worry to much and just keep an eye on it. Sounds to me like it's stressed probably from the 'trites' and being in the rocks it's rubbing the fin raw. Water change to reduce trites & trates and a little more patience should get things back on track.
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 If it's eating then I wouldn't worry to much and just keep an eye on it. Sounds to me like it's stressed probably from the 'trites' and being in the rocks it's rubbing the fin raw. Water change to reduce trites & trates and a little more patience should get things back on track. I thought doing a wc would slow my cycle? He ate the last couple of days. I don't think he ate today because he didn't come out till a while after I fed. So is that your recomendation, to do a WC? I keep hearing both ways, that you need a fish to complete the cycle and you do not. Which is right and why?
skydive Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 If you look at my tank thread you'll notice I tried the fish cycle and ended up killing a damsel. From reading and gathering all the knowledge I could after that I found most will say not to put any type of livestock through it (including CUC). You can't finish a cycle with fish because each time you add one the tank will go through another mini cycle to catch up with the added load. I suggest doing a WC because there's life in there and decreasing the nitrites will up their chances of survival. I don't know the numbers very well but possibly a 5% WC twice a week for one week and regular 10% a week after that should help out. Another option could be to put a temporary in-tank fuge for the fish in one of your other tanks till the cycle is fully complete then do a 10% WC in the cycling tank wait a week then add them if all is well with the tests. As always wait for a second opinion to make your decision on what to do
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 If you look at my tank thread you'll notice I tried the fish cycle and ended up killing a damsel. From reading and gathering all the knowledge I could after that I found most will say not to put any type of livestock through it (including CUC). You can't finish a cycle with fish because each time you add one the tank will go through another mini cycle to catch up with the added load. I suggest doing a WC because there's life in there and decreasing the nitrites will up their chances of survival. I don't know the numbers very well but possibly a 5% WC twice a week for one week and regular 10% a week after that should help out. Another option could be to put a temporary in-tank fuge for the fish in one of your other tanks till the cycle is fully complete then do a 10% WC in the cycling tank wait a week then add them if all is well with the tests. As always wait for a second opinion to make your decision on what to do I think I'll get my water tested and see where I'm at. And check for sure how close I am to a complete cycle. I havn't cycled a tank in a while, so after it cycles you do a wc right? It's kinda confusing because everyone does something different.
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 WC after the cycle, yes. for the tests. I'll try and test tomorrow. It seems like when I test it and then I'll take it to the lfs and test it they are way off. I don't know which ine to believe. I guess I'll test it myself. It should be hard to mess up if you follow the directions right?
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 Well, I got up this morning and he was dead . I tested my water and I got: Ammonia-0 Nitrites-0 Nitrates-50pmm (could be higher) PH-8.4 Looks like I'm done cycling and readyo for a WC.
HecticDialectics Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Well, I got up this morning and he was dead . I tested my water and I got:Ammonia-0 Nitrites-0 Nitrates-50pmm (could be higher) PH-8.4 Looks like I'm done cycling and readyo for a WC. You need to do several LARGE water changes. A 50% water change will only lower nitrates to 25ppm.
Ocho Cinco Posted June 22, 2008 Author Posted June 22, 2008 You need to do several LARGE water changes. A 50% water change will only lower nitrates to 25ppm. I don't know about doing one that big...
HecticDialectics Posted June 23, 2008 Posted June 23, 2008 I don't know about doing one that big... That's fine... do a crapload that are smaller? But you need to do them to get your nitrates down...
Ocho Cinco Posted June 23, 2008 Author Posted June 23, 2008 That's fine... do a crapload that are smaller? But you need to do them to get your nitrates down... I plan on doing one tomorrow. I might take a sample to my lfs to confirm the results. About when do you think I can add some coral? I guess I should move this chat to the tank thread.
lakshwadeep Posted June 23, 2008 Posted June 23, 2008 Start doing water changes; 50% isn't too big as long as you have proper specific gravity/temperature. It doesn't matter if your cycle goes longer (which is called "soft cycling") when you're trying to keep something alive.
Ocho Cinco Posted June 23, 2008 Author Posted June 23, 2008 Start doing water changes; 50% isn't too big as long as you have proper specific gravity/temperature. It doesn't matter if your cycle goes longer (which is called "soft cycling") when you're trying to keep something alive. I'm just wondering how the nitrates got so high so fast.
Sexy Shrimp Posted June 23, 2008 Posted June 23, 2008 I'm just wondering how the nitrates got so high so fast. By having fish in there when you're cycling - you are adding nutrients from the decay on the live rock, plus fish food, plus fish poo! 50% WC isn't that much. You have 2 options. Leave it and let the other fish die or WC and save them. These are the problems you have if you cycle with fish EDIT - and if you are having deaths it would be better to do it now rather than tomorrow.
Ocho Cinco Posted June 23, 2008 Author Posted June 23, 2008 By having fish in there when you're cycling - you are adding nutrients from the decay on the live rock, plus fish food, plus fish poo! 50% WC isn't that much. You have 2 options. Leave it and let the other fish die or WC and save them. These are the problems you have if you cycle with fish EDIT - and if you are having deaths it would be better to do it now rather than tomorrow. I know. I'm doing a wc today for sure!
Ocho Cinco Posted June 23, 2008 Author Posted June 23, 2008 Moving all conversation to my tank thread, http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry1689880 I posted lfs test results.
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