A little help please.

Michael Cronmiller · Dec 30, 2017

Ok, started having some issues with a few corals receding lately. Ran through all my tests and was a bit confused. Honestly I thought I just wasn't doing something right. So I took a sample to the lfs. Here's what I got. Sg. 1.026,pH 7.6,kh 12, ammonia 2, nitrite .5, nitrates 60, phosphate .30, calcium 420. What can I do to get things right again. Tank has been up and running for over a year and a half. Do water changes weekly about 20% (21 gal. AIO), have 4 fish and 3 shrimp, couple snails and hermits. All the lfs could say is something must be rotting in the tank, but all livestock is accounted for. Fish are doing fine, but the coral is my concern, some nice thriving pieces are not doing so anymore. Thanks in advance. Mike

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 30, 2017

Ammonia is the primary concern, if accurate. Did they double check that one?

Highly unusual in an established tank.

If the nitrite is accurate (not a concern by itself, but it is unusual), then the nitrate may be a false reading and not be that high (nitrite interferes with some nitrate kits and shows as a lot of nitrate).

If you are convinced the ammonia is real, I might treat with something like Seachem Prime until you can figure out why it might be elevated.

Did you recently increase the number of fish? Is there plenty of rock and/or sand?

Michael Cronmiller · Dec 30, 2017

No new fish, they have all been in there from the beginning. 20 lbsof live sand and about 18 lbs of rock. I'll go get some seachem prime and try that and do a little more digging into this. Thanks for the input, appreciate it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 30, 2017

You're welcome.

Good luck.

Ludders · Dec 30, 2017

What filtration are you running? I agree it is very unusual to experience ammonia and nitrite in an established reef with sand and live rock.

Michael Cronmiller · Dec 31, 2017

I run filter pads, sponge, and a protein skimmer.

Ludders · Dec 31, 2017

It is still really unusual for the ammonia and nitrite readings, so putting that aside, you still have a nitrate and phosphate issue.

I think a thorough clean out of the filter chambers and multiple water changes spread out over the next couple of weeks to regain control, would be my advice. A thorough siphon of the sand bed would also e advantageous.

Michael Cronmiller · Dec 31, 2017

Ok, did a sizeable water change yesterday, replaced all filter material,and cleaned filtration chambers thoroughly. Will test again today. Thank you much for the help. Will update later. Much appreciated.