Next step?

[Lake05]

I have had my reef tank up for two months now, and via my profile you can see what I have in the tank. My levels were fine, and it seemed that everything in the tank was healthy. Then all of the sudden out of nowhere I get this Nitrite spike w/out an Ammonia spike. I did a 10 gal. water change, and my nitrite level is still above normal. I was wondering should I add any additional water filtration systems, or keep what I have and leave it to cycle through?

[tjigger]

Did everything die? Or just have a small spike?
When was the last time you added anything to the tank?

At 2mths it may have been a small cycle after adding some new friends, or the last stages of you main cycle.

As for the canister make sure you keep it clean they can become factory's.

[Lake05]

I had just added a fuzzy dwarf lionfish, and I was checking my water. The nitrite was going up, and that's when I did my 10 gal water change also adding some kick ick for my blue hippo tang that had developed ick the day before. She died that night, but the lion seems to becoming more colorful, and my dome plate seems to look as thought it has water inbetween it's skin and the coral that it forms. All of my other corals are beautiful and healthy. I checked the water last night and no nitrites, but nitrates are up 10ppm. Do you think that it's time to invest in a uv sterilizer? What do you mean by " factory," that it can harvest harmful things for the tank? I thought that it was better to leave the canister alone at first, and to let the bacteria cycle. When cleaning the cannister do you just use fresh water, and replace the carbon, or do you replace all the pads in the filter? Thanks again.

Marc

[tjigger]

I wouldn't add anything else to the tank until everything settles down.

If you have enough LR in the tank I would not use any carbon or pads in the canister. If you must use pads replace/clean them weekly.

What temp is your tank running, Ick is caused by changing temps. Try keep it at 78-80deg
If you have a heater in the tank you can turn it up 1-2deg to help stop the ich.

[Lake05]

LR? Not sure on that, sorry I'm new at this. I have kept the tank at 78 degrees the whole time that I've had it up and running. Also I have always been very careful when adding any new fish. As far as adding anything new, I don't plan on it until I can find a Dusky Jawfish. I wash all the pads out weekly, and change the carbon filter. I keep hearing that I should keep the carbon out completely. If I take out the carbon does that mean that I need to add additional filtrarion? I know that the carbon takes out impurities, but what are they exactly? Besides that, do you have any other advice on getting my nitrites back to normal, and my pH up?

Thanks for everything,
Marc

ps. nothing in the tank right now has ick.

[tjigger]

LR = Live Rock

The LR will act as a filter, and the carbon should only be used to take out meds(if you must add any)

Do you have a Protien Skimmer? If not, I would recommend getting one rated for 100gal min, It will also help clean the water.

You can try adding garlic to the food a few times a week to help prevent the ich.http://www.aquariumpros.com/p-KEN00657,MDgc.html
If the ich comes back raise the temp 1deg and it will usually help.

[Lake05]

Yeah, I have about 45lbs of LR in the tank now. I have been using 2% garlic pellets, but my clown is the only one that eats them. I will look into the protein skimmer. Any recommendations on brand and type?
Thanks again,
Marc

[tjigger]

I guess you would want a hang on back skimmer?
something 2x the size of your tank would work good.
http://www.aquariumpros.com/p-ENE33002,SKho.html
another HOB skimmer I like is the http://www.aquariumpros.com/p-CPRBP2R,SKho.html but I think your tank would do better on a larger skimmer.

[Lake05]

I went to my local fish store, and asked them what whey thought. They said the same thing that you did; so it looks like I'm investing in a protein skimmer. I will definetly get the bigger one of the two. I tell you how it turns out.

Thanks
Marc

[Leon]

Hi, from my experience over the years, I have encountered a spike in the nitrite, and have always equated it to over feeding. Now, overfeeding takes on many forms. Any time I have had large fish in my tank along with them usually comes larger feedings or should I say bigger pieces for them. You have the lion and if you are offering it feeders or the sort the by product from the feedings may be causing this. Add some beneficial bacteria to help the cycle process. Many will say with live rock you don't need it but I have always added some with each 1/4 to 1/3 water change with great success..Leon

[tjigger]

Hi, from my experience over the years, I have encountered a spike in the nitrite, and have always equated it to over feeding. Now, overfeeding takes on many forms. Any time I have had large fish in my tank along with them usually comes larger feedings or should I say bigger pieces for them. You have the lion and if you are offering it feeders or the sort the by product from the feedings may be causing this. Add some beneficial bacteria to help the cycle process. Many will say with live rock you don't need it but I have always added some with each 1/4 to 1/3 water change with great success..Leon
Leon,
True!! The overfeeding may be the main cause for the high nitrates, but its because the canister filter traping it in the sponge filter.
If the extra food was left in the tank the crabs,snails, shrimps, and other scavengers living in the LR would eat it before it caused a problem.
Its better to make sure you feed the fish, and let the crabs get fat, than starve the fish.