Am I screwed?

[gideon2086]

Good morning.

I set up a new 90g a month ago. Transferred over live rock and nitrate rock from my well established tank. Dosed appropriate amount of Dr. Tim’s. Used new RODI with coral pro. I moved over a few fish and coral from the established tank immediately - the tank was in the middle of a crash.

I gradually added fish and coral over the course of the month. I tested parameters every three days and it remained stable - too stable; nitrate and phosphate remains at zero to this day. I WAS NOT testing ammonia (didn’t think this or nitrite would be an issue because of the live rock and Tim’s).

Until now I’ve had no issues other than an outbreak of green/brown algae two weeks in (still fighting it).

I had two Chromis vanish in the last two days so I did a full spectrum test. KH had dropped to 7.6 and Ammonia is showing 0.5 ppm. I did a 15% water change, added buffer for the KH and added prime for the ammonia.

My main concern: is my tank starting a cycle a month in and are my fish/coral doomed? The ammonia is making me anxious.

 

[gideon2086]

Good morning.

I set up a new 90g a month ago. Transferred over live rock and nitrate rock from my well established tank. Dosed appropriate amount of Dr. Tim’s. Used new RODI with coral pro. I moved over a few fish and coral from the established tank immediately - the tank was in the middle of a crash.

I gradually added fish and coral over the course of the month. I tested parameters every three days and it remained stable - too stable; nitrate and phosphate remains at zero to this day. I WAS NOT testing ammonia (didn’t think this or nitrite would be an issue because of the live rock and Tim’s).

Until now I’ve had no issues other than an outbreak of green/brown algae two weeks in (still fighting it).

I had two Chromis vanish in the last two days so I did a full spectrum test. KH had dropped to 7.6 and Ammonia is showing 0.5 ppm. I did a 15% water change, added buffer for the KH and added prime for the ammonia.

My main concern: is my tank starting a cycle a month in and are my fish/coral doomed? The ammonia is making me anxious.

I should add that all coral and fish show no signs of stress.

 

[Cell]

Month old tank, live rock and bottled bacteria, livestock looks fine, you are cycled. What ammonia test are you using? API?

 

[gideon2086]

Month old tank, live rock and bottled bacteria, livestock looks fine, you are cycled. What ammonia test are you using? API?

Yup, API.

 

[Cell]

False positive. You are cycled. I would not worry about it. If you insist, buy a more reliable ammonia test like Salifert, but I wouldnt waste my money.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

API shows false positives all of the time and I would be confident in saying that is your issue. Toss it out or you will be anxious forever. Go for a red sea or an ammonia alert badge.

 

[gideon2086]

Thoughts on the mystery of the vanishing Chromis? Two gone in two days.

 

[Cell]

Chromis do that. How many did you start with? They always dwindle down to one or two.

 

[K7BMG]

Yea there chromis.
Probably killed one another. In the fight for new teritory.

 

[gideon2086]

Chromis do that. How many did you start with? They always dwindle down to one or two.

I had four. Thanks for all of the quick responses.. you’re calming my nerves.

 

[ScottR]

I had four. Thanks for all of the quick responses.. you’re calming my nerves.

Chromis kill each other off. If they can make the month mark, they’ll probably shoal together. They’ll fight every now and then but they should live. They try to establish territory fast.

 

[gideon2086]

As a side note.. after adding prime to the tank the corals seem VERY happy. Goniopora has opened more than I’ve ever seen. Lobophyllia has extension like I’ve never seen...

And now I’m concerned again!

 

[NJDragonet]

Chormis killed each other

 

[vetteguy53081]

Picture of algae or could it be Dino?

 

[Cell]

As a side note.. after adding prime to the tank the corals seem VERY happy. Goniopora has opened more than I’ve ever seen. Lobophyllia has extension like I’ve never seen...

And now I’m concerned again!

But you also did a water change and added KH buffer at the same time, no?

 

[gideon2086]

But you also did a water change and added KH buffer at the same time, no?

The water change was yesterday. I did add the KH buffer this morning.. escaped my mind. Thank you!

 

[gideon2086]

Picture of algae or could it be Dino?

 

[gideon2086]

I’ve since vacuumed most out. Became very carpeted. I added two Conchs that have been eating it without issue.. in my experience Dino’s poison and killed inverts. I’m thinking it’s a brown/green hair/turf algae. Added an urchin yesterday as well.

 

[K7BMG]

You have to go on a body search now.
I would not let the dead chromis rott away.

Oh yes the profound ugly stage of a new tank...

 

[gideon2086]

You have to go on a body search now.
I would not let the dead chromis rott away.

Oh yes the profound ugly stage of a new tank...

I’ve done the best I can without removing rock. I have a good bit of hermits, an emerald crab and nassarius snails that I’m thinking may have already cleared them out.