Bakbay's 450g - Final Upgrade?

[bakbay]

I’ve pumped some water into the 175g as part of dilution, tired of dumping into our backyard. I’m very tempted to start up another tank?!$&@ lol

 

[danreef55]

You are too much

 

[fishguy242]

Glad to hear fish doing better...

 

[bakbay]

Thanks guys - scary and very nervous though. Some fish look better but some prized ones swam erratically! This is the reason I love corals more than fish!!!

 

[fishguy242]

...

 

[danreef55]

Best of luck I would continue with the regime

 

[bakbay]

Question - as ammonia spike (it was at 0.06 when we started), what’s the best way to lower it? Prime?

 

[bakbay]

Best of luck I would continue with the regime

Thank you. I’m very nervous- have never done this before so need all the help I need. Thanks to Jay for all his help. Hope we can come out the other side with little casualties.

So far, I’ve lost one tomato clown (which I hate) and one orange anthias is MIA.

 

[fishguy242]

Check it in morning , ammo absorbing pad in high flow area ,best IMO

 

[danreef55]

Question - as ammonia spike (it was at 0.06 when we started), what’s the best way to lower it? Prime?

From what I remember, as you lower the salinity some of the beneficial bacteria is impacted but it should recover rapidly. Jay knows best

 

[bakbay]

Check it in morning , ammo absorbing pad in high flow area ,best IMO

What do you recommend? I haven’t used this in a long time since ammonia has never been on my mind! pH I’m good — skimmer running wet and I’m at 7.9

 

[bakbay]

I’ve been swapping out filter floss everyday and the BK300 is awesome at yanking out crap. This is only 2d worth.

 

[danreef55]

What do you recommend? I haven’t used this in a long time since ammonia has never been on my mind! pH I’m good — skimmer running wet and I’m at 7.9

I would check it in the morning unless fish are really stressed. Seachem Prime or AmGuard to detoxify ammonia

 

[fishguy242]

Haven't used in long time, but a color changing ammo absorb pad will start removing immediately

 

[danreef55]

I ran this through Chatgpt
In a hypo-salinity environment, waste breakdown processes, particularly the nitrogen cycle, can be affected. Here's how waste breakdown might be impacted:

Reduced Bacterial Efficiency: The beneficial nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter), which convert ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate, are less efficient at lower salinity levels. These bacteria are accustomed to a certain salinity range, and hypo-salinity can stress or slow down their metabolic processes. This means waste may not break down as quickly in hypo-salinity compared to normal salinity conditions.

Ammonia/Ammonium Balance: In a hypo-salinity environment, ammonia tends to remain in its less toxic form, ammonium (NH4+), due to lower pH and the shift in the ammonia/ammonium equilibrium. While ammonium is less toxic, it may still accumulate if bacterial processing is slower, leading to a potential buildup of waste.

Slower Decomposition of Organic Matter: The breakdown of organic waste (fish waste, uneaten food, decaying plant matter) can also slow down in hypo-salinity conditions. This is due to the general reduction in microbial activity, which includes both beneficial bacteria and other decomposers that contribute to waste degradation.

Increased Risk of Waste Accumulation: Since waste breakdown slows, there is an increased risk of waste buildup if not managed properly. This can lead to poor water quality and increased nutrient levels (such as phosphate and nitrate) if not addressed with regular maintenance, water changes, and the use of biological enhancers.

To minimize these effects, it's crucial to monitor water parameters closely, continue regular maintenance, and possibly supplement bacterial populations with products that boost nitrifying bacteria.

 

[bakbay]

I have an old bottle of Microbacter7 I can dose to the tank. Honestly not sure if they are still alive!??$& after all these months or it’s basically a form of carbon dosing to foster more BB?

Anyway, let me get some Prime tomorrow.

 

[danreef55]

Also I would run the following by Jay... As PH decreases ammonia toxicity is reduced. Maybe slowly decrease to 6.8
I would give the bacteria a chance to rebound

 

[bakbay]

I’ve turned down my lighting period & intensity so the fish can rest. This is truly stressful$&&@!

I can frag corals to save them but feeling so helpless / hopeless with fish!

 

[bakbay]

Oh btw: another reason for lighting reduction — algae growth took off during low salinity. I’ve also slowed down the flow to my 2 x UV57 watt system. Hoping that will help.

 

[bakbay]

Milwaukee salinity tester was calibrated & tested. I can go to 1.009 tonight but figure it’s safer to do it tomorrow morning with higher pH and fish are more active.