HELP! What did I do wrong?

[Scubafrog]

I have a 29G Coralife Biocube (approx. 20 gallons of water), with 20 lbs. live rock and 20 lbs. live sand that has been running since Sept. 1, 2014.

On January 2nd I removed the two Eshopps foam filters and the bag of Seachem Matrix bio media from chamber two. I replaced them with an inTank media basket (Purigen and ChemiPure Elite) and a Tunze 9001 protein skimmer. I also did a 5 gallon water change with water from my LFS and some Top Fin Seawater (parents bought it as a gift trying to be nice).

My Tunze started foaming right away and the next day my corals and tank looked great. I was so happy! However, on the second day my skimmer stopped foaming (just bubbling like an Alka-Setzer now), my zoas closed up, my sand is turning brown, and all the green hair algae that I removed came back with vengeance. :-(

I checked my parameters thinking that the tank may be cycling but ammonia = 0, nitrites, = 0, and nitrates were around 5. I run the stock lighting from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the lunar LED's for a few hours before and after.

It has been over a week and my zoas won't open. Any ideas???? Thanks!

 

[Scubafrog]

Zoas before filter change:

 

[sureal00]

did you remove all media and replace it.To me it sounds like the established biological bacteria was strip totally was that the case?That could be a reason

 

[Scubafrog]

Yes, I removed the sponges and the Seachem Matrix. Was told that I would be fine since I had the live rock and sand.

Now I have a bag of Purigen and a bag of Chemipure Elite in the inTank media basket but no sponges. I was afraid of removing the sponges and Seachem Matrix but I had a lot of GHA and they didn't seem to be doing the job. Although, my nitrates were always stable at 5 or less. I guess I screwed up.

 

[Scubafrog]

The sponges have dried out but could I put them in the first chamber? Or would this reduce my flow too much? I could possibly put one in the third chamber.

 

[ARVERLY]

You striped the bacteria and nutrients too fast

 

[Scubafrog]

You striped the bacteria and nutrients too fast

What is the best correction or fix? Will time and water changes be the best?

 

[sureal00]

I would add some bacteria to the system just to stabilize or revitalize the system (Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 or Instant Ocean Bio-Spira).Do you test phosphates.In my opinion zoa's are very fussy.Sometimes they stay closed for weeks just to clean themselves or heal.Best you can do for them is blow sand off of them and medium flow of water.

 

[Scubafrog]

No, I do not have a phosphate test kit.

 

[NanaReefer]

It's been my experience that in smaller water volumes. Chemipure Elite & Zoas don't go well together. I lost all my zoas from my 26g after adding Chenipure Elite. I suggest try removing it and see if it helps.

 

[Scubafrog]

It's been my experience that in smaller water volumes. Chemipure Elite & Zoas don't go well together. I lost all my zoas from my 26g after adding Chenipure Elite. I suggest try removing it and see if it helps.

Ouch. That is not what I wanted to here. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[NanaReefer]

Smaller volumes of water are less forgiving to fast changes. The water gets dirty rather quickly. This is why smaller more frequent water changes are recommended. Even slight changes can shock. I kept my 26g for 3yrs, successfully. No chemical filtration after my experience with Chemipure Elite. Just regular water changes Here she was 10 months ago, right before I upgraded to my present 40B.