Sick Fish - Can't solve the problem

[Jaws]

Ok so the ammonia tests definitely came back positive. How ammonia spike I don't know. The only thing I can think of is maybe from a bacteria die off after treating the tank but I had way more rock in there the first time I treated it and everything did fine. Doing a 30% water change right now then we'll see how things respond.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Jaws

I had way more rock in there the first time I treated it and everything did fine.

Well ya, that's the point. You need a certain amount of rock to treat ammonia in that volume, less rock, less filtration. 30 pounds in 300g isn't enough to process waste from all the fish, therefore you get NH3 build up. You have too small a filter.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

You have too small a filter.

Hmmm. What do you suggest I do to boost the filtration? I don't have any cycled live rock anymore. I would've figured that this would be similar to a fish only tank without live rock now but I guess even they have sump filters to boost bacteria.

[Aquattro]

Ya, you need something. No rock, you use other media. Hit J up for some foam blocks, he has some that he was cycling for me.

[Jaws]

Sure you don't need em?

[Aquattro]

Nope, I'm good. My rock has caught up to the load and I'm not running the foam anymore.

[Jaws]

Ok thanks. On a positive note, most of the fish have bounced back after the water change. The powder blue, purple tang and moorish still aren't eating but they're swimming around better at least. Hopefully they bounce back too.