How did you measure Metro? It has to be specific at .5 gram by Weight or its literally overdosed and makes food taste bitter.I have a mimic tang that's pretty thin, and not gaining any weight. I've had him for 2 months, and it went though a full QT. He's eating very well, pretty much everything I feed. I did 5 days KanaPlex + MetroPlexAny bound with Focus. But he's very skittish, hiding all the time. Ideas what is going on and what else I can do?
PH 8.3, Salinity 1.024, 0 Ammonia (dosing ammonia for nitrates) actually, 1 year tank, so it's established. There's absolutely no issues with eating, he's eating everything. I am feeding Mysis, Fish Frenzy, Herbivore Frenzy, Nori.
I can certainly try that. But it's a large tank, so I would have to feed everyone 3x.
If I understand correctly, you are adding ammonia Chloride to increase Nitrates? If so, the ammonia can be toxic and have adverse effects on delicate fish.
It very easily could be outcompeted for good then. Try upping the feeding amount and frequency for a time - if it’s belly folks out, then that would confirm the issue. You could then decide to either move the fish to a less crowded tank, or feed the whole tank more.
I am not dosing enough to even get a reading. It's a large tank, I am dosing a tiny amount 2x per day. I've been dosing for 6 months.
Jay could you describe, or share a picture of what "belly folks out" is? When I feed, the entire tank is covered with food. And as I mentioned he/she does eat very actively.
Sorry that was a typo: “belly fills out” is what it should have said.
Ahh you are right, that makes a lot more sense.
I know I know.
. It's ok for people to question/disagree with @Randy Holmes-Farley . I agree with his article - and I see the rationale for doing it. I as someone who reads 50-100 tank problem questions daily would think dosing nitrate - though perhaps not as scientifically efficient, is much safer than dosing ammonia itself
This is something I think we as reefers ignore - and is an excellent point from @vetteguy53081 . Medications like kanamycin, neomycin, can have severe symptoms in humans - they are rarely used intravenously - some have been given orally for cleaning the bowel because they are not absorbed. They and most of their cousins have been relegated to treating severe infections and then stopped as soon as possible based on the diagnosis. I see many well-intentioned people treating with 2 or even 3 medications - all of which can cause toxicity - and additionally, may cause less eating.
I think the challenge with Nitrate is getting a clean product, it's very expensive. Spectacide, something I used for a long time (it's on sale at Lowes today if anyone needs it), is not food grade, so god knows what else is in it.I know I know.
Each chemical that is for sale - should have an analysis. However these can be misleading. If I wanted to increase nitrate in a FOWLR I would just feed more. Same in a coral tank.
In theory I fully agree, and I actually feel I feed a lot. Entire tank is circulated with food, takes them about 5 minutes to finish everything. But then again, we see more and more dyno tanks, and those happen when nutrients bottom out.
I'm going to suggest an amendment to your comment. 'We se more and more dyno tanks, that are immature, do not have adequate coral cover (i.e. a lot of open light filled spaces are present) - and it is happening whether nutrients bottom out or not.
