Ammonia spike and two dead snails?!

[homer1475]

I guess the next logical question for the OP then, is how was the tank cycled?

At 3 months old, it's certainly not mature, but should be well cycled by now, specially with livestock in the tank and doing well.

 

[Inversus]

I guess the next logical question for the OP then, is how was the tank cycled?

At 3 months old, it's certainly not mature, but should be well cycled by now, specially with livestock in the tank and doing well.

The caveat is well worth noting, because as you pointed out - if neglected, filter socks can become a double-edged sword.
..........

The one thing I'm looking at in the OPs tank are the rocks, and I can't help but wonder if it cycled correctly (or fully). The Red Sea 250 is 65 gallons, and I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that ammonia level (if correct) with a pair of fish and handful of cleanup crew.

Okay firstly, my bad, it's 2 month, not 3 ^^
Its cycled via red sea reef mature kit. Took longer than the 28 days because I didnt used live rock. But I had a thread somewhere here where I ask what to do about it and it concluded with "The tank is cycled".

Nitrite is .2 and ammonia test is unfortunately the same reading between 1.2 and 2.0

 

[homer1475]

Lets see, even though I don't always agree with him, @brandon429 (lol actually forgot I had him on ignore, we got in a pretty heated debate a while back) is the cycling guru, and will be able to help you with the ammonia issue.

Can we get a full tank shot in white lights? I'm still suspect of that ammonia reading, do you happen to have any other test for ammonia you could use to verify?

 

[blaxsun]

Okay firstly, my bad, it's 2 month, not 3 ^^
Its cycled via red sea reef mature kit. Took longer than the 28 days because I didnt used live rock. But I had a thread somewhere here where I ask what to do about it and it concluded with "The tank is cycled".

Nitrite is .2 and ammonia test is unfortunately the same reading between 1.2 and 2.0

The good news is that your nitrite levels aren't at a hazardous level, but the ammonia is still worrying.

Yes, you can run into issues with the Red Sea Reef Mature kit if you don't use live rock. This is what I'd look at:
1. 25% (minimum) water change and remove the snails (if you haven't already).
2. Add some Seachem AmGuard (this will detoxify what you may have in the tank and is perfectly safe to use).

In addition to the tank shot, can you take a picture of your sump? It might offer some additional clues.

 

[Inversus]

Lets see, even though I don't always agree with him, @brandon429 (lol actually forgot I had him on ignore, we got in a pretty heated debate a while back) is the cycling guru, and will be able to help you with the ammonia issue.

Can we get a full tank shot in white lights? I'm still suspect of that ammonia reading, do you happen to have any other test for ammonia you could use to verify?

Like this?

 

[Inversus]

Here the sump

 

[homer1475]

Does look pretty new.. and the dying snails could most certainly spike ammonia.

I would do a good 25% water change, let it sit for a few hours, then retest.

While 2ppm won't kill your clowns, they would most certainly be suffering, and your do not look to be at all.

If you truly have 2ppm ammonia, with the WC, and your biological filtration, it should clear in a few hours.

 

[homer1475]

I have never owned a red sea tank, so I can't say on the sump, but it looks good to me.

Do you have any type of mechanical filtration? I do not see any in that sump setup.

 

[Inversus]

I have never owned a red sea tank, so I can't say on the sump, but it looks good to me.

Do you have any type of mechanical filtration? I do not see any in that sump setup.

Only the bubbletrap sponge. Its vertically between the Skimmer and return pump (left of the Skimmer). All water has to go through it. But I think its only for big particles nothing small

@homer1475 and @blaxsun
I want to thank you for your quick help and answers! Really appreciate it Im currently running my rodi unit to get the needed water and cheering for it to hurry up

 

[homer1475]

Only the bubbletrap sponge. Its vertically between the Skimmer and return pump (left of the Skimmer). All water has to go through it. But I think its only for big particles nothing small

Ok sponge.......

Do you take that out a couple times a week to clean? Could be contributing to the ammonia if food gets trapped in it, and breaks down.

 

[Inversus]

Ok sponge.......

Do you take that out a couple times a week to clean? Could be contributing to the ammonia if food gets trapped in it, and breaks down.

Yes, every week I rinse it with tapwater and squeeze all that dirt out, Then get out as much of the tapwater as possible and put it back

 

[blaxsun]

One quick observation: you've got quite a bit of detritus buildup in your sump already for a 2-month old tank. When you'd had a chance to perform a water change, re-test and (if needed) add some AmGuard, I would look at the following additional steps:

1. Insert the Red sea filter sock tray and start using at least the nylon filter socks that it came with. If you don't have these for whatever reason (they come with all new tanks), visit your local Red Sea dealer and they can get them for you.
2. Turn your pump and skimmer off, and syphon out all that detritus (or at least as much as you can). Re-engage the pump and skimmer, and let it run for a few hours to circulate fully. Then remove that black sponge and soak in some hot water and white vinegar for a few hours, scrub and rinse as best you can then let air dry (re-insert when dry)

Filter socks should be changed out every 3-7 days (maximum). That black catch sponge should be cleaned as outlined every 2 months (or as needed).

 

[blaxsun]

Do you take that out a couple times a week to clean? Could be contributing to the ammonia if food gets trapped in it, and breaks down.

Based on the amount of detritus in the sump, I'd say that's a definite possibility. It's really meant as a snail/fish barrier to prevent anything from getting into the return pump chamber.

 

[Inversus]

One quick observation: you've got quite a bit of detritus buildup in your sump already for a 2-month old tank. When you'd had a chance to perform a water change, re-test and (if needed) add some AmGuard, I would look at the following additional steps:

1. Insert the Red sea filter sock tray and start using at least the nylon filter socks that it came with. If you don't have these for whatever reason (they come with all new tanks), visit your local Red Sea dealer and they can get them for you.
2. Turn your pump and skimmer off, and syphon out all that detritus (or at least as much as you can). Re-engage the pump and skimmer, and let it run for a few hours to circulate fully. Then remove that black sponge and soak in some hot water and white vinegar for a few hours, scrub and rinse as best you can then let air dry (re-insert when dry)

Filter socks should be changed out every 3-7 days (maximum). That black catch sponge should be cleaned as outlined every 2 months (or as needed).

Will do so. I have to order seachem online. So its probably here in 1 or 2 days. 3 at worst.
But the others thing I will to right now, filter sock is here and already placed inside

 

[homer1475]

Ok quick question...

When was the last time you checked ammonia, and how long has it been since the last check?

I'm in the US, so have no idea what time it is over there.

 

[Inversus]

Ok quick question...

When was the last time you checked ammonia, and how long has it been since the last check?

I'm in the US, so have no idea what time it is over there.

Checked exactly 5 days ago (last wednesday) probably at 12:00. Reading was .2, which already was a bit higher then the last check before (.1). I check every 7 days

 

[homer1475]

And your still at 2ppm? 5 days after?

EDIT:
Misread .2 as 2

When did you find the 2ppm? And how long has it been since you tested that high?

 

[Inversus]

And your still at 2ppm? 5 days after?

EDIT:
Misread .2 as 2

When did you find the 2ppm? And how long has it been since you tested that high?

I found the 2ppm today after I found the second dead snail. Normally I wouldnt have tested till this wednesday

 

[blaxsun]

Will do so. I have to order seachem online. So its probably here in 1 or 2 days. 3 at worst.
But the others thing I will to right now, filter sock is here and already placed inside

You should have two, or one sock and a media basket. If you only have the one sock you'll want to pick up another one and a few spares. The nylon ones are best for when on vacation, the felt ones catch more (particularly the 100-micron) and the media baskets are designed for carbon/GFO.

When you buy carbon (I like Red Sea) or GFO (I like Nyos Phosi-Ex), you place in one of the black media bags that come with the Red Sea carbon, rinse under the tap for a minute or two until it runs clear and then place in the bottom of the media basket with some filter floss on top to prevent the media bag from clogging up with detritus.

Toss the filter floss every week and replace the carbon/GFO every 1-2 months. Carbon will clear your water, remove odors and silicates and GFO will bring phosphates down. Instructions on how much you need for your tank size are on the containers.

Carbon and GFO are totally optional, btw.

 

[homer1475]

I found the 2ppm today after I found the second dead snail. Normally I wouldnt have tested till this wednesday

Ok today....It's 6:20am monday morning where I am lol

But how long in hours?