I HATE saltwater!!

[Rufus’ goofs]

Do you use the prime regularly to stabilize it? How long did you let the system cycle before you added fish?
What and when did you add during your stocking of this tank?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I do a weekly water change 25 to 50 percent because I can't stabilize it something is high always

Are you using tap water or RO/DI water?

 

[Oceanwave45]

Water I used rodi water
I have a filter hob
Media carbon and matrix
Nitrates are high
Ammo is high
Something is always high.
I have 3 cardinal
Two chromis
Anthesis
Two clowns
Bubble coral
Rainbow anemone

 

[Oceanwave45]

Do you use the prime regularly to stabilize it? How long did you let the system cycle before you added fish?
What and when did you add during your stocking of this tank?

I haven't added anything in two months

 

[Oceanwave45]

I use prime every water change

 

[Crabs McJones]

Water I used rodi water
I have a filter hob
Media carbon and matrix
Nitrates are high
Ammo is high
Something is always high, I wish I was high right now
I have 3 cardinal
Two chromis
Anthesis
Two clowns
Bubble coral
Rainbow anemone

When was the last time that your RO/DI filters were changed out? The sediment and chlorine filters need to be replaced every 6 months or so, and DI depletes as well. RO membranes are usually good for 1 to 2 years depended on your water quality where you live.

 

[Oceanwave45]

What do I do????

 

[Oceanwave45]

When was the last time that your RO/DI filters were changed out? The sediment and chlorine filters need to be replaced every 6 months or so, and DI depletes as well. RO membranes are usually good for 1 to 2 years depended on your water quality where you live.

I get from the fish store

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I use prime every water change

I think this is one of your biggest problems.

Prime neutralizes ammonia.

The reason we let a tank cycle is so that the ammonia converting bacteria build up.

You shouldn't ever have detectable ammonia in your system. It means something is wrong with your cycle.

Do you have a quarantine tank?

 

[Oceanwave45]

Are you using tap water or RO/DI water?

I have used tap water in emergency

 

[Oceanwave45]

I think this is one of your biggest problems.

Prime neutralizes ammonia.

The reason we let a tank cycle is so that the ammonia converting bacteria build up.

You shouldn't ever have detectable ammonia in your system. It means something is wrong with your cycle.

Do you have a quarantine tank?

No

 

[Crabs McJones]

I think this is one of your biggest problems.

Prime neutralizes ammonia.

The reason we let a tank cycle is so that the ammonia converting bacteria build up.

You shouldn't ever have detectable ammonia in your system. It means something is wrong with your cycle.

Do you have a quarantine tank?

This

And if I were you i'd buy an RO/DI unit and make my own water. It's cheaper in the long run and you are %100 sure that the water going into your system is good. How often do you have emergencys that you used tap water in your tank?

 

[Oceanwave45]

Well to be honest I have used tap water several times

 

[Crabs McJones]

Well to be honest I have used tap water several times

This is most likely the root of your problems. Tap water is full of ammonia, nitrates and copper and other heavy minerals that are extremely bad for saltwater tanks. Pick up an RO/DI unit from BRS and make and mix your own saltwater. You'll save money in the long run instead of buying it from a LFS and you will have the ability to make saltwater instead of using tap water in emergencys.

 

[Crabs McJones]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/5-stage-75gpd-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

No

You could get a bottle of bio spira and see if that will settle your tank.

I have used tap water, and been perfectly fine, but I have really low TDS.

A RODI system will only make things better, but may not solve all your issues.

If I were you, I would go buy a tank at petco while the sale is still on, a cheap heater powerhead/airstone and a HOB filter.

I would move my fish, coral, anemone and light over to the QT and I would let your 40 cycle.
(Please read a "how to QT" thread if you're going to take this route. We handle ammonia in different ways depending on your QT methods. It's very important.)

To me, it sounds like whatever bacteria you had in the tank, has been regularly having large die offs from the prime, which would release more ammonia.
Especially if you're dosing more than you need to, as the excess will stay in the system and neutralize any ammonia the fish are producing.

Further more, I believe that the API ammonia test kits read bound ammonia, as well as free ammonia. Meaning it registers the previously neutralized (by prime) ammonia as free and toxic ammonia.

 

[NickNiz]

I love the blennies, but I believe a scooter blenny is often listed as a "difficult fish". It's actually a dragonet. (Picky eaters) I wouldn't give up on your tank.

+1.
In the case of the Scooter Blenny (a dragonet), their diet typically consists of live pods. These are tiny animals that grow well in large, developed tanks. In a 40-gallon tank, a dragonet will fly through the pod supply in no time. Your tank looks new too, so the pod supply probably wasn't enough...

Some Dragonets are taught to eat Mysis, but still need some sort of pod supply IMO. Soaking the Mysis shrimp in a vitamin supplement could also help!

As for the water, make sure to use RO/DI... I normally get water from my LFS, since they monitor everything from salinity to mag/cal/alk to nitrate and phosphate. Since my tank is only 12 gallons, 1.5 gal/week is very affordable.

I've also heard that if RO/DI isn't an option, distilled water also works... Not sure if it's true, but it shouldn't have any pollutants such as nitrate or copper, which is commonly in tap water...

 

[Oceanwave45]

Action plan-

Do a 50 percent water change today
Dose bacteria in a bottle

What else???

 

[Crabs McJones]

Action plan-

Do a 50 percent water change today
Dose bacteria in a bottle

What else???

Go slow, if you change out too much water at a time, the bacteria in the system will never be able to establish itself. Do %25 today. Wait a week, and do another %25 and then do %10 per week from there on out. The whole time keeping close eye on your levels. And no more prime.

 

[NickNiz]

50% seems like too much... I'd do 20% water changes twice a week until the problem is resolved, if you add 20 gallons of fresh saltwater, tank inhabitants will be shocked. Bacteria is a good idea though, but be careful if you still have inhabitants in the tank since a cycle is needed...