j.falk
I keep coming back to the thread hoping to see how to get the train back in the track also. I've been reading (and re-reading) each reply and trying to pull out whatever constructive bits of info are in each posts. For example, the posts bashing the LFS guy haven't help me figure out what is killing the fish.
One of the things I have pulled from the threads is my rock. Initially the tank was set up with volcanic rock from the Valley of Fire in New Mexico. When my Clown Trigger and Blue Throat Triggers died that rock got pulled. I was told at that time that volcanic rock is not good for saltwater aquariums. I did a 70 percent water change (yes with the well water ran thru the RO system) and went back to lace rock. I posted that I have ordered in 80lbs of Carib Sea South Seas base rock and one of the boxes came in today. The other 40 lbs arrives Tuesday. I'll be soaking that for some time (opinions seem to vary on how long) and putting that in the tank with the lace rock that is in there now and gradually pulling out the lace rock just in case the lace rock is actually doing something. I want to give the base rock time to get going.
I plan on adding a Bio bacteria adjuster to help get the bacteria going. It seems both Instant Ocean Bio Spira and Dr. Tim's first and final are very popular. In trying to decide which one I have asked if the Bio Spira is good stuff but no one replied.
As for working on my own tanks I stopped for a few reasons. First my fish guy told me that I was over-maintaining the tank with monthly vacuuming and 20 percent water changing. He said it was too much and that it was killing the fish. I don't want my fish to die. I've never seen them but he has tanks that are years old with fish that are years old like a 12 year old Queen trigger. He has a 8 year old Emperor Angel in a tank at the shop that I have seen. He seemed qualified to me. The other reason is that this is tank number 4. I actually have another 125 Salt set up the same way that is doing great and I have freshwater 125 gallons down the hall. Maintaining them all started to consume a lot of time so I thought why not have my tanks maintained by an expert and use that time to do other stuff on the honey do list. I have already decided that while I may not take back the maintenance completely I am going to be more involved with them by doing more frequent water changes and taking care of the canisters filters. Maybe more, we'll see.
I'm not new to this, this is just a newer tank that is not acting right. I know this is not much experience compared to some on this forum but I had both fresh and salt tank set ups from about 1985 to 1995 or so. After we PCS'd out here I did not set the tanks up and took and extended break. Been back into them for about two years now. The set ups I have are very similar to what I had back then so maybe not very 1969 but certainly very 80's. It worked for me back then and while I don't have Magnums 330 cannisters anymore I have the Penn Plex equivalent. Oh, I did have the 240 plexi set up with a wet dry filter with bio balls and a sponge filter. And yes, back then we did not let anything grow on the rock. The local fish guy taught me that was good stuff so I haven't bleached anything like I would have back then
I have mentioned water quality many times and I posted last night that the water I have been using actually tested at 70 GHG (that's like 1200 mg/L I believe) and 2100 TDS. I still don't know if that is really bad, slightly bad, or not bad at all. Of course I have googled it but didn't really find anything conclusive.
twentyleagues
Thanks for you post about lace rock. The rock I had was in storage from back in the 80/90s and was all I saw back then. The LFS had it for sale so I thought it was a common thing until I posted on here. Then I tried googling it for info on it with and again, nothing but I did find all the other salt water rock. It's nice to read that someone else has had experience with it
I'm working on the water thing. I am trying to figure out if a RODI system from AquacticLife will be able to get it where it needs to be or not. In the meantime I will buy RODI water from the local water store. I have 20 gallons being mixed as I type for a water change tonight. I really want to do a larger percentage but I am worried about shocking the fish
As for the nitrate being high I am hoping that the South Sea rock and the bacteria from bio spira or one and only (help me choose) will take care of that once it's established, which sounds like that will happen quickly with this stuff.
GrandmaRaff,
I had no idea they sold distillers. Is there a particular one that you can recommend? I'm going to look into them some more.
Cannister filter is going. Just cleaned it last night. Properly with water from the aquariums and such.
Gonna soak my new rocks, put them in and add the start bacteria
There are two damsels in there now with the Snowflake.
Oh, and not just starting out. Just having problems with this tank that I (and my fish guy) have not been able to figure out
So my questions are:
How long should I soak the base rock in saltwater for prior to adding it to the aquarium?
Bio-Spira or One and Only?
Do we all agree that my well water that is coming thru the water softner and RO system is not healthy water for the fish? Could it be a major contributing factor for the fish deaths? How about contributing to the nitrates not being broken down?
20% percent water changes every two weeks for the next couple of months sound like a good approach to getting hard/high tds water out (also nitrates)?
Thanks again for taking the time to read the train wreck
and post up some thoughts about not only what is wrong but also what is right and a direction to head in.
-Bob
