I am needing some guidance on saltwater

[Zeniths Coral]

Just a little background on my aquarium (13.5gal saltwater evo.) I’ve had it up and running for about 8 months I currently have 7 fish, 2 anemones (one is a long tip the other is a bubble tip.)and some coral. I have 4 clowns (I plan on separating them very soon I just needed to make sure my smaller tank is in the parameters.) a leopard wrass, a pink bar goby, and a lawnmower blenny. My clean up crew is a bit too crowded if I’m being honest but I’m really trying to get rid of the algae(my light schedule is 10am-6pm.). I have around 20 dove snails 3 emerald crabs and around 5 hermit crabs. I currently don’t have a skimmer on it. I got really tired of buying a new one every other month (they kept ether burning out or I had one that had some type of electrical problem and would run electricity in the water.) so I decided to go skimmerless. I’ve noticed that my ph levels did fall. What I need some help with would be how to lower my nitrate(other than water changes.) and how to lower the amount of algae I have(I feed my fish once a day about 1.6 grams and I feed my coral once every two weeks.) and if there’s a way to raise my ph levels without a skimmer. (n=nitrate N2=nitrite)

 

[mike550]

Okay. First step is to get better tests. API isn’t accurate or trustworthy. You probably shouldn’t have nitrites. If you want inexpensive but reliable tests try out Salifert. Others will have suggestions as well.

That said, what are your tank parameters?

You didn’t mention your lights. I’d consider turning down the intensity for a while.

As a first step, I’d physically remove as much algae as I could, and vacuum a portion of the sand during the next water change.

 

[1112-425XL]

At eight mos. you're probably in the ugly stage, but with such a significant bio-load in 13g's water changes and a Skimmer are your best options for lowering nitrates. An air stone might help with raising PH

 

[Zeniths Coral]

Okay. First step is to get better tests. API isn’t accurate or trustworthy. You probably shouldn’t have nitrites. If you want inexpensive but reliable tests try out Salifert. Others will have suggestions as well.

That said, what are your tank parameters?

You didn’t mention your lights. I’d consider turning down the intensity for a while.

As a first step, I’d physically remove as much algae as I could, and vacuum a portion of the sand during the next water change.

My light is a coral life marine aquarium clip on led light and I don’t have the tests to test anything that I haven’t shown and my salinity says within 1.025 and 1.028(right now it is 1.026) if it ever goes up or down I try and fix it right away with a water change or by simply adding fresh water if it’s high I do plan on going to a saltwater store and have them do a full water test but I don’t know when I will have the time.

 

[mike550]

@Zeniths Coral welcome to the hobby! It sounds a bit like you’re just getting started but your tank is looking pretty good. Just a few thoughts for you.

• Start making your own RODI and saltwater when you can. It’s so much better when you can have complete control over the water and salt you’re using.
• Easiest way to maintain salinity is to put a mark on your tank at the waterline. When the waterline goes below the mark, add RODI water.
• Your corals will do better (and perhaps reduce your algae) when you can get a reef aquarium light. Why are you using a clip on light instead of the cover that came with your tank?

Good luck!

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

My opinion is that your bioload is too high for that size tank, and nutrient export should be increased if you want to keep them all in it. Without a skimmer, more water changes will be needed, so I suggest using rodi water with your salt mix and getting nitrates around 10 ppm, and phosphates around .04 ppm. Also manually remove as much algae as you can by hand. CUC usually don't eat the long algae.

 

[ScottJ]

IMHO I would say you are overstocked as well. One pair of clowns and the goby would be full in that tank. I run the same tank and consider it fully stocked with a single clown and a tailspot blenny.

Doesn't that wrass need a much bigger tank?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Doesn't that wrass need a much bigger tank?

Yup, the poor fish...

 

[Propane]

If it were me I’d maybe see if a LFS would take some of the fish in for store credit. I’d only keep the blenny and the goby. I’d do the same with the clean up crew as well. Or… I’d see this as the perfect opportunity to get a bigger tank.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yup need to cut back on fish, up wc, get a skimmer, I'm unsure on the light. Reefing isn't easy or cheap. That wrasse needs a min of a 4' tank that is mature with lots of pods. I've had 3 of them one standard a black one and the crazy priced I think a chote or something like that. All great fish all ate a ton of what I offered but every single one of them spent the entire day after coming out of the sand searching the entire tank for pods. I mean every inch every angle of every rock and coral was scrutinized. They are very busy fish once acclimated to you and your tank.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree with all of the above. Your 13g tank is 8g with rocks. You are way over stocked and have fish requiring much larger tank. This is cruel to the animals and as reefers we have a duty to ensure the best care we can for our livestock.

 

[Zeniths Coral]

I’m actually in the middle of setting up a 90 gallon aquarium right now the only parts I need at this point in the process is a skimmer a light and a pump(if you have any suggestions please let me know).I will admit I did not do enough research about the wrass I only got her about a month ago I still feel very bad and is why I’ve been really pushing for a bigger tank it’s just not cheap. And thanks to everyone who replied it helped a lot.