Tank Emergency!!

MikeP · #1 08-09-2008, 04:09 AM

How long has the tank be set up for? It sound like a natural spike if your tank is fairly new. Water changes is the only thing you can do to safely bring nitrates down, have you tested for ammonia yet? You should keep an eye on it as well.

Carmen · #2 08-09-2008, 04:21 AM

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the replies.

So I think the test kit is okay, tested the RO water and the freshly made salt water and both test zero for nitrates. So I can conclude it is definately from the display tank.
The tank is 4 months old and up until now I have never seen a cycle or anything other than normal parameters. I did test ammonia on Tuesday when Nitrates first showed up and there was a trace however very low - I have not tested that again since.
I did find a fallen mushroom that looked pretty bad (fell into anthelia patch)so I flushed it - could that spike nitrates.
My Mom is watching my tank and coming over daily and yes she will do a WC and check nitrates but I can't realistically expect her to do a WC daily! AHH! Why does this always happen at holidays!
Kevin I will leave your number for sure but I am not too sure what you could do really??
So do you think this is just a tank crash waiting to happen?

Overstocked? Is it normal to get nitrates at this stage of the game?

Carmen

Marlin65 · #3 08-09-2008, 04:23 AM

How much sand is in you tank? Is it possible some worms died off.
Sure your clam is OK they can pollute the water quickly.
Sucks that this is happening before you leave. Best of luck.
If your tank has been running for a bit it should be able to handle a bit of a death if something did die.

EmilyB · #4 08-09-2008, 05:54 AM

I'm just thinking too many water changes, based on this and some other messages I've read.

That can cause problems too. Relax, go on holidays, bah, nitrates of 20?

Carmen · #5 08-09-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyB

I'm just thinking too many water changes, based on this and some other messages I've read.

That can cause problems too. Relax, go on holidays, bah, nitrates of 20?

you think so?? Just leave it? Oh now I am really confused!

WhoPoopWrasse · #6 08-09-2008, 02:29 PM

I really doubt nitrates at 20 will cause any problems. Unless your tank sitter overfeeds, things will be fine until you get back. I think feeding lightly every 2 days would be in order so your tank sitter doesn't run up the nitrates.
I've seen ntrates up to almost 50 in my daughters tank and nothing died, just a bit of color loss in the corals and they went back to normal as the trates went down....
Go have a good time!

Carmen · #7 08-09-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoPoopWrasse

I really doubt nitrates at 20 will cause any problems. Unless your tank sitter overfeeds, things will be fine until you get back. I think feeding lightly every 2 days would be in order so your tank sitter doesn't run up the nitrates.
I've seen ntrates up to almost 50 in my daughters tank and nothing died, just a bit of color loss in the corals and they went back to normal as the trates went down....
Go have a good time!

Wow, thanks, you've made me feel a million times better!
Hoping for the best then! Away we go - leaving this morning now! Wish and pray!

Thanks!

Carmen · #8 08-12-2008, 03:42 AM

Update!!! So I performed one last 5G WC and left for holidays. Had my Mom come in the next morning to check everything. Nitrates down to 5! The next morning down to 0!!!!!!!!!!!!! PHEW! Can you believe it!
Now....relax and sunnin at the Shuswap! Well as much relaxin as allowed while chasing after a 2 year old and a 3 year old!