[makko75]

I've had my tank for 8 months now (46 gal). I have a few fishes and some corals. 4 days ago I placed about 10 lbs of live pre-cured rock in the tank. I tested the ammonia levels last night and it reads 5 ppm. What should I do to lower the ammonia down? I am going to do a 40% water change today. The funny thing is that my fishes are all eating and the LPS look pretty good. Is there anything out there that would reduce the ammonia rather quick?

[Reefland]

That level of Ammonia would definitely cause noticable problems, I would questions the results. However, it would not be a bad idea to do a good sized water change just in case.

[makko75]

The only noticable thing is that a group of my polyps look very bad. They look like they are "melting". They are all limb and they won't open. That was the reason why I did the test on the ammonia. You think the water change will help to stabalize it?

[makko75]

I think I'm going to put some Ammo-Lock 2 in the tank. I don't think it would harm the corals or the cleaner shrimps. Anyone ever used it?

[Reefland]

I would do a big (50-75%) water change if you beleive that ammonia reading is correct. Test again tomorrow and if it is still high, repeat. I wouldn't put anything into the tank.

[CSeaSee]

Doesn't "melting" polyps signify something? I can't quite remember, but I remember reading something about it... can someone else chime in on this? I agree with the LARGE WC.

[makko75]

I am going to go get some salt today and do the change today. I'll change about 50-60% of the water. I tested the water twice yesterday and the reading was 5 ppm. I thought that if the ammonia levels would reach that high in a tank, that all the fish and corals would look in very bad shape, but mine aren't. I'm doing the water change anyways...better to be safe than sorry (very sorry and )

[Reefland]

It would probably be worthwhile to take a sample of your water to a local store for a second opinion. If the ammonia is that high, everything would be a goner.

[makko75]

Well, I did a 40% water change and the ammonia went down to 3 ppm. After doing the change I noticed that the water in my tanks smells pretty bad. I think my problem is the live rock that I placed in there a few days ago. Tomorrow I'm going to take out both pieces of rock and I'll do another water change. I think that should do the trick......I hope!

[Reefland]

You have to watch when you add new rock to an established tank. The only way to safely do it is to cure the rock yourself so that you know it is safe.

[makko75]

OK, I took all the live rock that I had ordered out of the tank and they "STANK" like crazy. They have been out for about 2 weeks. My ammonia went down quite a bit. 2 days ago I did a 10 gallon water change. I then added some Reef Vital to the tank. I think I added too much. Thing is that my corals aren't looking well. They are not opening and my Xenia is dying. All my fishes look good and they are eating very well. This is the 3rd water change I have done and I still can't get my ammonia levels to stabalize. I have looked all over the tank to see if there is something dying but there is nothing. You think the Reef Vital could be affecting the corals?

[dreams]

if the rock stank, it wasn't wasn't cured

i think that you have a cycle occuring because of the rock....that is effecting the corals

[makko75]

It got worst yesterday when I found a colt coral roting away in the tank. I took him out and it stank pretty bad. I set up a 20 gal tank for all the corals while my display tank cycles again.

When I transfarred the corals to the other tank I noticed that all of them have this milky, silky stuff coming out of them. I hope it's nothing bad. What do you think?

[dreams]

i can't help you w/ your corals, but adding some carbon & live bacteria might help you jump start getting tings back in order (helped me anyways)