[NeroIsKing]

This is my 14 gallon Oceanic Bio Cube Nano. Sorry for the camera phone pictures.





Here are the basics.
Calcium is good
Phosphate is good
PH is good
Alkalinity is high
Ammonia is in the .25 range

I have:
1 six line wrasse
1 saddleback clown
1 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint shrimp
5-6 Hermit Crabs
2-3 Snails

I can't seem to get my ammonia and alkalinity under control. I've been using the B-Ionic 2 part system and that really hasn't helped that much. I also do a cap full of essential elements once a week. I feed the fish and coral every other 2 days. I use the Bio cube filter. Its been suggested that I should get rid of the bio cube filter and just use Pura pads. Is this true? I've also been told to clean the sand and not clean the sand when I do water changes. Which one is true? Also all I have in the right filter intake is active carbon, the bio cube filter and a sponge. On the left is the pump and a bag of stones that was given to me with the tank. Should I have something more or less or what? I need help ASAP. Please and thank you.

[charlie]

Before we get to far into this, how long has this tank been set up?

How often do you test? When you say calcium is "good", what do you mean? Can we see your actual test results? You don't mention nitrates or nitrites, are you testing for these also?

Sorry for the bunch of questions, but we have to know what the actual readings are before we can really delve into what is causing this.

[NeroIsKing]

Tank has been up for almost a year. I test weekly. The calcium is in between the range it should be. Forget the exact number. I do test for nitrates and nitrites. They are usually between low and middle.

[charlie]

Ok, here is a couple of suggestions:
1. Lose or clean the filter, it really looks dirty.

2. Get rid of the "stones", they look like those biocubes used in a canister. Both the above are nitrate havens, and aren't really needed in a reef tank that has enuf live rock. Let the live rock do it's own filtration, especially in a tank that small.

3. If you have ammonia and nitrites, something is seriously topsy turvy in your system, have you tried a succession of small water changes?

4. Please give us your test readings, I really have no idea how bad your system is doing, just your word. We really could use the numbers so we can help you out best.

[NeroIsKing]

Ok I'll do that when I get a chance. That is a brown sponge by the way and its cleaned every 3 days. Any suggestions of filtration? Like I said I have the biocube filter, but its been suggested to ditch that and go with pura pad. What do you think?

[charlie]

I am not really familiar with the biocube filter, can say show a pic or explain this?
The ammonia is coming from somewhere!!!! Have you disturbed your sand bed lately? What about water changes?
Have you had any deaths in the tank recently?

[NeroIsKing]

These are the filters I use.

These are the filters I suggested I used.

Right now I have the Pura filter in the right filter intake and the biocube filter behind it.
What are your opinions/suggestions on this?
Also all I have is active carbon in the right filter intake and nothing in the left filter intake besides those rocks I'm throwing away. Should I have anything else?
The only thing in my tank dying is a sun coral, that I might just give up on. I do 10% water changes weekly. And as far as the sand bed. I'm not sure what to do. Because people are telling me do a light cleaning when I do a water change and others are telling me don't touch it. But red algae or something red is forming on the surface of the sand. So I'm a little confused. I'm getting my water checked this weekend at my LFS. Thanks for any help.

[charlie]

The red algae is probably cyanobacteria, a sign of too many nutrients in your system. You can syphon it off the sand when you do your water changes.

Speaking of water changes, I would try doing the 10% changes twice a week for about a month. I once heard the saying, "solution by dilution". Think about it.

You need to find the cause of the problem, which in my opinion is the filters that you are using. Try it without the filters, like I said before, those types of filters are nitrate sponges. In a system like yours, changes can happen really fast because of a lack of water volume, the less water, the more unstable a system can become.

About the sun coral, have you been trying to feed this little guy? They do require feeding. Check this link out:
www.asira.org - Sun Coral (azooxanthellate).

[NeroIsKing]

Yeah I have. He has been stuborn since I got him. So I should just go filterless? How do I remove them without freaking out the enviroment? I'm getting the water tested today. I will let you know the results.

[NeroIsKing]

Here are my levels
Salinty -1.018
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
PH - 8.0
Alkalinity - 5.0
Calcium - 330
Magnesium - 1200

He recommended water changes and to do small doses of the B-Ionic supplement daily.

[Zoanuts]

I agree with the small water changes and adding a buffering agent to the water.
By no means am I an expert but most of the most important parameters are low. Salinity is usual ranges from 1.021-1.025
pH is fine but you will see an increase with the B-ionic additions you Alk will raise and Ca will also. Mg is very important in all of these processes to occur. Mg levels to 1300+ is ideal. All of this need to occur very slowly though.

[ReeferSD]

Go filterless in the Nano. I had same problem until i took out the filter and the bio cubes/balls. all you need is the live rock. If you keep on top of the sponge thats allright but be sure to siphon out that spot when you do those weekly water changes. i get alot of build up under it.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by ReeferSD

Go filterless in the Nano. I had same problem until i took out the filter and the bio cubes/balls. all you need is the live rock. If you keep on top of the sponge thats allright but be sure to siphon out that spot when you do those weekly water changes. i get alot of build up under it.

Great!!!!!!! Somebody with experience with about the same system.

THANK YOU!!!

[NeroIsKing]

Ok. I appreciate the help so much guys. I'm finally starting to learn some good stuff.
My Final Question! Lol.
How do I remove the filters and sponges without freaking out the system?

[charlie]

Do it over a 2-3 week period, and accompany this with a small water change, and I think you should good to go. Just keep an eye on things while you are in this process.