Bakbay's 450g - Final Upgrade?

[danreef55]

Today is the day we go 1.009 - this morning was 1.012 and I’ve just pumped 70g to the 175g holding tank, easier on the back vs pump & dump (sounds like my failed crypto “investments”) using 27g buckets. RODI unit is making water so by noon’ish, we will turn on the pump and start mixing.

Oh yeah, Prime arrived so poured 6 caps for now — will test for ammonia later today.

good luck. I bought the same salinity tester in advance of my tank being ready. How do you like it?

 

[bakbay]

good luck. I bought the same salinity tester in advance of my tank being ready. How do you like it?

Love it! Calibration is easy and it’s pretty darn consistent. It can convert between SG and ppt so easier on the math. Also, adjusted based on temperature.

I used to have those refractometers but between my poor vision and bad recalibration attempts (totally pilot error) that can’t be trusted.

 

[bakbay]

Help! The big angels (French, Emperor, Queen) are not doing well - hiding and not eating. Should I continue from 1.011 to 1.009?

@Jay Hemdal thoughts?

 

[danreef55]

Help! The big angels (French, Emperor, Queen) are not doing well - hiding and not eating. Should I continue from 1.011 to 1.009?

@Jay Hemdal thoughts?

what is the ammonia reading today?

 

[bakbay]

Amon

what is the ammonia reading today?

Ammonia is at 0.11

 

[danreef55]

I hope the fish will be ok

 

[bakbay]

All the little fish are fine and active. However, the big ones are struggling. I need a way to reduce NH4 faster.

 

[fishguy242]

Starts taking out immediately! add as much O2 to tank as possible rt now.

 

[bakbay]

I got these 2 pads and dumped half a bottle of MicroBacter7 — fingers (and toes) crossed!

Just turned off the skimmer & UVs for 4 hours as per instructions.

 

[bakbay]

Starts taking out immediately! add as much O2 to tank as possible rt now.

Be interesting to see what’s the ammonia reading by tomorrow morning. Thanks for passing this along — honestly I have never resorted to this in decades since my reef tank has always matured and registered zero ammonia!

Now I recalled why I hated to raise fish - corals are way easier! I can grow SPS colonies but can’t keep fish alive.

 

[bakbay]

Preliminary observations suggest that all the little fish, including tangs, are much better. The 3 Hippo tangs (which started this whole mess) are very active and have only a few specs left on their body. They were covered in ick when we first started.

Big fish update
Emperor: heavy breathing, dive into bottom / rocks, but eating
Queen: same as above
Gem Tang: same as above
Blueface: normal breathing and eating, occasionally darts around
French: heavy breathing, dive into bottom / rocks, NOT EATING!!!

So far, I’m concerned about the French the most - I pray that he will make it!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Preliminary observations suggest that all the little fish, including tangs, are much better. The 3 Hippo tangs (which started this whole mess) are very active and have only a few specs left on their body. They were covered in ick when we first started.

Big fish update
Emperor: heavy breathing, dive into bottom / rocks, but eating
Queen: same as above
Gem Tang: same as above
Blueface: normal breathing and eating, occasionally darts around
French: heavy breathing, dive into bottom / rocks, NOT EATING!!!

So far, I’m concerned about the French the most - I pray that he will make it!

Can you post of the fish from today?

I would continue to 1.009 as these symptoms are not caused by the hyposalinity.

 

[bakbay]

Can you post of the fish from today?

I would continue to 1.009 as these symptoms are not caused by the hyposalinity.

Thanks Jay — big fish are more active today vs yest. They are coming out to eat — 3 hippo tangs are definitely better though. Angels’ eyes are cloudy but looking ok this morning.

SG: 1.010
Ammonia: 0.08

 

[bakbay]

Also, I took half the rock out of the tank in an attempt to reduce ammonia spike due to algae die-offs. They were covered in turf algae.

Lighting schedule and intensity have been drastically reduced as well.

 

[bakbay]

Noticed the Gem tang’s eyes? Hard to see from this angle but both are cloudy

 

[bakbay]

Looks like one Anthias didn’t make it — can’t find it and another one’s body has ick. Will try to get a closer pic later today.

 

[bakbay]

Ammonia - what’s a good safe level? Mine was 0.11 and now 0.08

 

[bakbay]

Latest params — I’ve been trying to put more soda ash to boost pH but at 5ish, it’s going to be very challenging. pH is around 7.7 atm — assume that’s ok?

 

[danreef55]

Ammonia - what’s a good safe level? Mine was 0.11 and now 0.08

I believe that would be classified as slightly elevated.

 

[bakbay]

I believe that would be classified as slightly elevated.

For ammonia control, I've done the following:

1. Installed 2 ammonia-absorbing matts
2. Removed half the rocks covered in (dead) algae
3. Removed 4 dead turbo snails
4. Poured 10+ caps of Prime
5. Poured 100mL Microbacter7
6. Will change 40g of water tonight to get to 1.009

Anything I should do to keep ammonia close to zero? Keep pouring Prime everyday?