Frag tank ammomia problems

[kput]

I have a frag tank set up that I've been having ammonia issues with. I'm no stranger to cycling tanks, but this one is stumping me.

It's around 40g total water volume. No skimmer, chaeto fuge.

I've got probably 6-7 large pieces of live rock, pulled from my cycled DT, as well as a large sponge from the sump. In the past
month I continue to have ammonia spikes every 3-5 days.

I can always tell when there's an ammonia presence of around .5ppm, because one of my two BTA's shrinks down to basically nothing and hides in the rock. The most recent time being after 2 days from a 100% water change.

There are 0 fish. A couple crabs, and maybe 20 frags. I feel 2ml of frozen food via Target or broadcast once a day. Reef roids (less than 1/4 tsp) twice a week, so I don't see how ammonia is building up so quickly. I've used an entire bottle of Microbacter7 with no success either.

Any tips? I can't move the coral anywhere and attempt to raise ammonia and speed the cycle, but I'm blowing through salt very quickly..


Thanks for the help!

 

[ScottR]

Most likely die off on the rock or sponge you put in. Add in something like MB7.

 

[kput]

Most likely die off on the rock or sponge you put in. Add in something like MB7.

Why would there be die off if there is still a food precense? I'd assumed the light feeding of the corals would provide enough ammonia to keep the bacteria fed.

Also have used an entire bottle of MB7, hasn't helped as of yet.

 

[ScottR]

Why would there be die off if there is still a food precense? I'd assumed the light feeding of the corals would provide enough ammonia to keep the bacteria fed.

Also have used an entire bottle of MB7, hasn't helped as of yet.

The ammonia is coming from somewhere. If you put live rock in a new tank, you’ll usually see ammonia. Only crabs and a nem right?

 

[kput]

The ammonia is coming from somewhere. If you put live rock in a new tank, you’ll usually see ammonia. Only crabs and a nem right?

I'd assumed that the rock came from an established tank, that it would have established bacteria to handle any sort of load. It came from the sump in my established DT?
Crabs, a couple nems, and 20ish other various corals

 

[fishguy242]

possibly nems(pooping) every 2-3 days? jmo add a skimmer save the salt

 

[ScottR]

I'd assumed that the rock came from an established tank, that it would have established bacteria to handle any sort of load. It came from the sump in my established DT?
Crabs, a couple nems, and 20ish other various corals

That’s the idea with live rock but not always the case. Sometimes switching to a new tank will cause die off on the rock. No idea why. I’d try to move the nem if possible. The corals won’t mind the ammonia.

 

[kput]

That’s the idea with live rock but not always the case. Sometimes switching to a new tank will cause die off on the rock. No idea why. I’d try to move the nem if possible. The corals won’t mind the ammonia.

Interesting, hadn't heard of this being an issue.

I'll see what I can do, he's wedged in a big piece of LR that still has 60~ days before it can move over to the DT. I've attempted blowing the powerhead at him but he didn't seem inclined to move. I'll try something different.

Oddly enough the other bubble tip isn't affected seemingly at all by the ammonia spikes.

 

[ScottR]

Interesting, hadn't heard of this being an issue.

I'll see what I can do, he's wedged in a big piece of LR that still has 60~ days before it can move over to the DT. I've attempted blowing the powerhead at him but he didn't seem inclined to move. I'll try something different.

Oddly enough the other bubble tip isn't affected seemingly at all by the ammonia spikes.

It may not be the ammonia spikes bothering it. I have a nano set up and put in two BTAs from my DT. One is doing great and one is shriveled up. Anemones are fussy animals. If you do want to move it, you can ice the foot. It’ll let up a piece and you can slowly peel it off