And everything was going so good...

[Rayna]

This is my first posting since I joined, I spend most of my time searching previous posts for the answers I seek. So far I have had a reasonably easy time since I tend to listen to all the advice. Today I need some specifics if anyone has the time.
I have a 55g tank with Live Rock
The tank was gifted to me by someone who had it for years (cycled) than I cycled it for 2 mo. before adding the clowns first, added 1 fish each month since then.
2 Clownfish (captive bred) - Adam and Steve
1 Scooter Dragonet - Scoots McGoots
1 Fire Fish - Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod
2 Turbo Snails - Skinner and Rocket
1 Toadstool Leather Frag

The tank has been beautiful, flowing, and peaceful. Until this week...

I got a cyanobacteria bloom making it's way across my tank
My scooter dragonet has sand stuck (and I mean really stuck) to his back.
I turkey blasted my first frag off it's pedestal.

I am working slowly with the bacteria. Water changes, siphoning residue, limiting food and lights, letting it burn it self out. (LFS advice) they said 4-6 mo it should be gone.
Scoots McGoots (the dragonet) seems okay in behavior, but I wonder if there is more to his sticky back
I am mostly worried about the small little frag that I blasted. I had to pick him up and put him directly on the live rock and I am not sure if it's going to recover. Just how hardy is "hardy"? I feel like since I touched him he is going to shrivel up and die.
On that note how do I know if it's dead?
Help?

Rayna

[metalhead]

Hi Rayna, welcome to Reefland!

Why don't you post your water parameters so we can take a look, this will help determine if there is a problem with chemistry that is contributing to your algae problems.

I wouldn't worry about the frag falling, most corals are pretty resilient in regard to handling but you may want to secure the frag in place so it does not keep happening.

I wouldn't worry about Scoots too much either at this point, just keep an eye on him for any sign of infection on his skin.

Sounds like your LFS gave you some sound advise... Keep on track with the water changes until we can figure out what's causing the cyano problem.

[Rayna]

Thank you for the encouragement. I think I really just needed someone to tell me "everything will be okay". I test my water every Sun (graphing it cause I'm a geek at heart) and have the LFS test it before I buy anything new. It has not changed much at all. The only change has been I tried to add a cleaner shrimp and he promptly died withing 2 hours of putting him in the main tank (after quarantine and acclimation). I took him back to the fish store and he became "Midnight snack" for a lunar wrasse. (I have to admit that was kinda fun to watch)

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
Ph - 8.4
Temp - 78
Salinity - 1.022 (1.024 if you add for the temperature raise) LFS advised to raise it so with each water change I have been adding 2 tbsps more.
I have 4 Compact lights running 6 hours (4 now with the cynobacteria) 2 natural and 2 Actinic.

Thanks again for the response.
Rayna

[Steve McKay]

Thank you for the encouragement. I think I really just needed someone to tell me "everything will be okay". I test my water every Sun (graphing it cause I'm a geek at heart) and have the LFS test it before I buy anything new. It has not changed much at all. The only change has been I tried to add a cleaner shrimp and he promptly died withing 2 hours of putting him in the main tank (after quarantine and acclimation). I took him back to the fish store and he became "Midnight snack" for a lunar wrasse. (I have to admit that was kinda fun to watch)

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
Ph - 8.4
Temp - 78
Salinity - 1.022 (1.024 if you add for the temperature raise) LFS advised to raise it so with each water change I have been adding 2 tbsps more.
I have 4 Compact lights running 6 hours (4 now with the cynobacteria) 2 natural and 2 Actinic.

Thanks again for the response.
Rayna

Your nitrate level is way too high for corals, should be 10ppm or less 5ppm is better. Suggest you do 10% water changes per week. Don't overfeed, if you don't have a skimmer get one. Salinity should be 1.025. Your high nitrates are fueling the cyno, put more flow on the infected area.

[metalhead]

Your nitrate level is way too high for corals, should be 10ppm or less 5ppm is better. Suggest you do 10% water changes per week. Don't overfeed, if you don't have a skimmer get one. Salinity should be 1.025. Your high nitrates are fueling the cyno, put more flow on the infected area.

+1... Nitrates are the root of your algae problem. Everything else looks pretty good, you will want to bump up your salinity a bit as Steve points out too. If you are currently or plan to keep corals you'll also want to start testing for alkalinity and calcium and supplementing those as necessary. Keep up with the regular water changes for now and if you are not using RO/DI water you'll want to invest in a good filter unit as soon as possible.

There are several reasons you could have elevated nitrates... bio-balls, canister type filters, filter socks and/or sponges along with over-feeding are the usual suspects. If you are using any of these in your system let us know and we'll tell you how to go about correcting the problem.

[Rayna]

I suspected that the nitrates were the culprit. When mentioned to the LFS they assured me it would be okay for the leather frag. While I was skeptical, I am not the expert and they have not steered me wrong yet. They told me the nitrites were actually the most lethal. Regardless, I appreciate all your help.
I have a hang on bio-wheel with a carbon insert and 1 power head at the opposite end to promote a current of some sort.
What I have been thinking lately is that the bed may be the true root cause. The tank came with this crushed coral/shells and sand stuff. I have been searching on it today and am finding it to be a bit of a harbor for nitrates. Bummer.
I will continue with the weekly changes and adding extra salt as well as look into live sand.
I do not have a protein skimmer yet. I am still investigating which one will be best for me. I have been reading about them for about 1 month so far and just haven't decided which one. I'm patient (especially with 100-200 dollars)
Many Many thanks to you guys! It's a major lift to get such quick and specific advice.
Rayna

[metalhead]

Not sure about the bio-wheel but I would think it would be ok, doesn't seem like it would trap much and hold it but I could be wrong. At any rate though your live rock is where the majority of the bacteria live so you really don't need a bio-wheel.

By carbon insert I assume you mean one of those little filter pads with carbon inside, you'll want to keep that clean and rinse it out often... Say once a week or so.

I know that some on here have had very good results with the remora hang-on skimmers. Maybe one of them will chime in but that may be a good option for you as I think they are relatively inexpensive. Regardless though you should put getting a skimmer at the top of your to-do list.

You're right on with the crushed coral, it does contribute to nitrates and you'll probably want to phase it out eventually and replace it with 4-6'' of aragonite sand in order to establish a deep sand bed which will be very beneficial to your system in the long run.

[Rayna]

Just for the fun of it Here's my fish.

[metalhead]

Looking good!

[Steve McKay]

Bio-wheels are no good either, I should know that's what I started with until I was set straight on the issue. Carbon is a yes, use it. Lose the crushed coral. The only filtering a reef tank needs is: LR, good skimmer, Carbon and good water flow, that's it. lose all the other filters, media, media pads and sponges. But do it slowly so the bacterial colonies have time to establish themselves in the LR. Your fish look good.

[gregr]

I'm a little concerned after reading your first post. Everyone in the tank has a name except for the frag- I'm no expert but I think that could be the real problem
Ok ok- one little thing to add- touching the frag shouldn't be a problem as long as your hands were clean. In a healthy tank you can move frags around and it doesn't seem to cause more than a few minutes of coral unhappiness, generally speaking. Also, I totally agree with Steve about getting rid of the crushed coral. I like deep sand beds- I think bare bottom tanks don't look good but that's my personal opinion and I know lots of people disagree with that. Anyhow- get rid of the crushed coral and either leave it at that or add sand as you like. And name that frag asap

[Rayna]

Okay your right, I did not name the frag YET... I feel it necessary to wait until the personality shows before naming a creature. This is a bit harder with the toadstool but give me time my imagination will come up with something.
I went out and bought live sand and sea sand this weekend. Last night I started adding it slowly and moving the crushed coral. It's going to be a long process but hey it gives me something to tinker with in the tank. Thank you for all your advice!
Next up... Protein skimmer

[Steve McKay]

Okay your right, I did not name the frag YET... I feel it necessary to wait until the personality shows before naming a creature. This is a bit harder with the toadstool but give me time my imagination will come up with something.
I went out and bought live sand and sea sand this weekend. Last night I started adding it slowly and moving the crushed coral. It's going to be a long process but hey it gives me something to tinker with in the tank. Thank you for all your advice!
Next up... Protein skimmer

[metalhead]

Okay your right, I did not name the frag YET... I feel it necessary to wait until the personality shows before naming a creature. This is a bit harder with the toadstool but give me time my imagination will come up with something.
I went out and bought live sand and sea sand this weekend. Last night I started adding it slowly and moving the crushed coral. It's going to be a long process but hey it gives me something to tinker with in the tank. Thank you for all your advice!
Next up... Protein skimmer

Good deal Rayna, sounds like you're on the right track... Just take it nice and slow and everything will be fine.

Steve, didn't you used to have a remora skimmer? I thought I had heard you and Parrot recommending them in the past. :eek3:

[Steve McKay]

Good deal Rayna, sounds like you're on the right track... Just take it nice and slow and everything will be fine.

Steve, didn't you used to have a remora skimmer? I thought I had heard you and Parrot recommending them in the past. :eek3:

No, but there good skimmers. Parrot and I have recommended them and will do so again I'm sure.

[Parrothead]

Good deal Rayna, sounds like you're on the right track... Just take it nice and slow and everything will be fine.

Steve, didn't you used to have a remora skimmer? I thought I had heard you and Parrot recommending them in the past. :eek3:

I currently use the remora with the maxi-jet 1200 on a very, very lightly stocked 55 gallon, I would recommend going with the remora pro with the mag 3 pump, a little on the obvious side in the tank, but it will rock your world