Desperately need your help

[Aspire]

hi guys,

I'm in desperate need for help. I have been cycling my tank for more than 3 mths. Previously I had probs controlling the NO3 even after frequent changing of water. I tot to restart my cycle again, surprisingly after 100% water changing and washing my dirty sand bed, my NO3 suddenly drop, NO2 and Ammonia is still 0. It's din start a new cycle. However, I bought 2 clown fish and both die the very next day. Wat is so wrong abt my tank??

Pls help.

[jc85]

Washing ur sand bed? Tot we not suppose to touch the sand bed?

Maybe u can list out the various parameter of ur tank? Acclimisation process?

[Aspire]

I washed it only because I wanna restart the whole process. But everything looks fine. I have 2 2ft tank, abt 2.5kg LR, no fish for now. 1 turbo snail. NH3 0 NO2 0 NO3 20ppm, 32C (I noe it's quite high), PH level abt 86.

[Cleartank]

I'm in desperate need for help. I have been cycling my tank for more than 3 mths. Previously I had probs controlling the NO3 even after frequent changing of water.

The high NO3 means that your filteration are working.... nothing to worry abt.... To reduce NO3... changing water is one way but to better control it... find the source that started the nitrogen cycle.... Your filration pls.... what you use to start the cycle.... btw, its noraml to have high NO3 when cycling...

I tot to restart my cycle again, surprisingly after 100% water changing and washing my dirty sand bed, my NO3 suddenly drop, NO2 and Ammonia is still 0.

Its no suprise because you have a 100% water change and you wash you sand bed.... So if you can't find the source... rotting LR.... prawns.... etc.... you still have a problem....

It's din start a new cycle. However, I bought 2 clown fish and both die the very next day.  Wat is so wrong abt my tank?? 

Of course they die my bro... What you did was as good as buying new equipment, adding sea water and cured live rocks without the cycle process.......

[Aspire]

I'm using canister filter. I agree.. my fileration is not very gd. doesn't really help to clear up the dirt cos water flow is very slow. I wash it every week when I do a 20% water change.

I din use any source to start the cycle as I'm using an old FW tank. There's shd be enough bacteria to start the cycle.. I monitor the changes in the waterr parameter very closely. BUt have prob with NO3 for very long long long period of time. I tried water change, adding nitrate minus, wash my filter still no sign of improve. which is y I decided to do a 100% water change.

Does the mean that I will still see my NO3 level climbing up again?? How can I be sure that it's finally stable to add in fish?

[Achilles Tang]

Having a small tank (and not having enough LR and DSB for natural denitrification processes) and having to use a canister will mean that you have to live with high NO3 for a very very long time.

Your own solution is frequent water changes as the best means of export. Try to lessen this with the aid of a very good skimmer to help export dissolved organics. Minimise feeding and stocking.

If you can, add a overflow into a bigger sump where you can try to build a DSB there and grow macroalgae ala refugium to absorb nitrates and phosphates. The increase in water volume will also help stabilise your tank with a larger margin for error should anything happen.

Try to reduce your water temp... 32C is impossible to keep corals. Your livestock will have increased metabolism... and increase nitrates as a result.

AT

[Aspire]

Thanx AT.

Does that mean to that 2.5kg of LR isn't enough?? I tot give some space for adding corals once my tank is ready. I do realise I have to live with high nitrates when using canister filter. There no way I can add a slump due to the tank structure. I haven't feed anyting to my tank yet the nirtate is uncontrollable.

I've even raise my sand bed from 2 inch to abt 4 inches mix of gade #0 & #1. Guess it doesn't help much..

As for the temp I goin to add cooling fan into it, this will mean I need to add water even more frequently..

I guess it's either i try to live with it or I change another tank..

[Aspire]

Btw, how much of LR is sufficent for a 2ft tank. How long will it take for how tank to be fully cycle.. cos to me rite now, all the water parameters seem perfect. Dun wanna cause any more casualties until I'm fully assure..

[Aspire]

ANother thing, can I add in corals like mushrooms at the moment now? Or shd I juz add in more LR. DO I need to add a prawn to jump start another cycle at this moment??

I appreciate greatly for any advise for you guys..