Bioload question

[Whiteydenewf]

Hi all, I’m still relatively new to the hobby, even after 3 years. I have a 20G AIO tank and I’m considering an addition to the tank, but unsure of what I can actually add, or even if I should.

My current tank population includes:
1 black ocellaris clown
2 astrea snail
2 spiny trochus (was 3 but one recently died)
2 bumblebee
2 nassarius
1 cowrie
2 scarlet hermit crabs
1 purple claw hermit crab
And a freeloader bristleworm hitchhiker

Can anyone give me an idea of what the clown and each invert adds to my Bioload and what amount I have available if any? Prior to the death of my spiny trochus my corals were growing well and everyone seemed happy. Since that death, I’ve had a reddish cyano growth on my sand bed. Corals, fish and CUC still seem happy.

Phosphates/nitrates are both excellent.
Nitrates at zero, phosphate kept near zero (last test was 0.12ppm) using phosban.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

how much rock is in your tank? The rock supports the bioload, more rock means more space for nitrifying bacteria to grow which means stronger biofilter.

 

[Whiteydenewf]

how much rock is in your tank? The rock supports the bioload, more rock means more space for nitrifying bacteria to grow which means stronger biofilter.

Quite a bit actually. 2 small flat plates front and back on the sand bed. 2 much larger rocks on each side of the tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I wouldn’t worry. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. Honestly snails die sometimes for unknown reason, it’s not uncommon. Fish death I would worry but one out of three new snails I wouldn’t worry.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all, I’m still relatively new to the hobby, even after 3 years. I have a 20G AIO tank and I’m considering an addition to the tank, but unsure of what I can actually add, or even if I should.

My current tank population includes:
1 black ocellaris clown
2 astrea snail
2 spiny trochus (was 3 but one recently died)
2 bumblebee
2 nassarius
1 cowrie
2 scarlet hermit crabs
1 purple claw hermit crab
And a freeloader bristleworm hitchhiker

Can anyone give me an idea of what the clown and each invert adds to my Bioload and what amount I have available if any? Prior to the death of my spiny trochus my corals were growing well and everyone seemed happy. Since that death, I’ve had a reddish cyano growth on my sand bed. Corals, fish and CUC still seem happy.

Phosphates/nitrates are both excellent.
Nitrates at zero, phosphate kept near zero (last test was 0.12ppm) using phosban.

Youre looking at fish compatible with the clown. Bangaii cardinal would be one

 

[GARRIGA]

My thought process being that outside of what we might consider crowded, as long as ammonia and nitrites are being resolved to zero or within safe levels in a quick enough fashion then the filter can handle more bio-load. This can be easily tested by increasing the feed since that's what contributes to the bio-load and not necessarily the occupants. Although more occupants means more of the input processed towards growth but I'm not crunching numbers and just take a holistic approach. Plus increasing the feed will increase the filter's capacity to process the new load before new occupants added. Why when cycling I dose beyond recommendations once cycled to condition the filter to handle more early on. Has worked for me and have never had a spike in ammonia or nitrites.

 

[Whiteydenewf]

My thought process being that outside of what we might consider crowded, as long as ammonia and nitrites are being resolved to zero or within safe levels in a quick enough fashion then the filter can handle more bio-load. This can be easily tested by increasing the feed since that's what contributes to the bio-load and not necessarily the occupants. Although more occupants means more of the input processed towards growth but I'm not crunching numbers and just take a holistic approach. Plus increasing the feed will increase the filter's capacity to process the new load before new occupants added. Why when cycling I dose beyond recommendations once cycled to condition the filter to handle more early on. Has worked for me and have never had a spike in ammonia or nitrites.

That’s helpful thanks.