Hi guys I’m pretty new to saltwater and got a 5 gallon tank a month ago. As of right now I’m having issues with my ammonia and nitrites. I’ve been doing water changes almost daily and it just stays where it’s at, doesn’t go up or down. My ammonia reads at a 0.50 ppm and my nitrites read at 1.0. Basically after 3 weeks of cycling the guy at petco said I can add my clean up crew to help with the algae forming. I got 5 red leg hermit crabs, 8 blue leg hermit crabs, 4 emerald crabs, 4 nasarius snails and 2 turbo snails. I was told to bring back a water sample the following week to check to see if I can put fish in to help with ammonia for the cycle. Came back a week later and was told my water was perfect and fish can be added, I asked to see if I can put the following fishes in which we’re two clown fish, a scooter blenny and a cleaner shrimp and I was told those were fine. Later on in the week I checked my water to make sure everything was ok and that’s when I had those readings (mentioned above) and started to worry. My 3 fishes are actually doing fine, normal behaviors and eating well. After doing further research about why my ammonia and nitrites are high I read that it could be over crowded, which I have a feeling there might be too much inverts in the tank. I wanted to get some peoples opinion on this and if I have to I will upgrade the tank as soon as possible if that is recommended. I know a lot of people will say “you should have researched” and I honestly did but now I feel like I haven’t researched far enough.
Is my tank overcrowded?
- Thread starter Kenojrg
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Copingwithpods
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I would say absolutely yes in both fish and inverts. Specially the 4 emerald crabs, your level of stocking is more congruent with a tank somewhere in the 20g range.
Kenojrg
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Thank you I figured as much when I was looking into it. I was considering a 29 gallon tank if people suggest an upgrade. I was looking into doing corals as well and an anemone as well in hopes my clowns will host it would you think a 29 gallon be good or suggest something bigger?
Reefkeeper28
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Yes really way too much way to fast adding that many fish at once. Need to get ammonia to 0 asap. Definitely way too many emeralds will kill each other without tons of food. Also too many hermits, if they don't have enough food will probably eat snails etc. Don't listen to most if not all chain pet stores most haven't even had a pet or fish themselves just making a sale. If you are able to upgrade tank asap. Goodluck
Reefkeeper28
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Also how do u know tank cycles. What did you add or test etc.
Kenojrg
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When I started I used caribsea arag alive sand, live rock, and I was recommended to use microbe lift special blend to help with the beneficial bacteria. The only thing I don’t test with strips is ammonia, I use the api testing kit for that.
KTrevino
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like mentioned before ammonia needs to be 0 and can cause issues even if they are not being seen now. Although I know API ammonia can be off at times. You can upgrade although I think it is important to do the research before you do. Figure out what tank you want and what you want in it, take your time and think it through. They have nice AIO tanks that aren't too expensive and you don't have to deal with a HOB filter. Visit Reefcleaners.org they have a lot of info about CUC for future reference and John is a great guy and will answer questions.
Kenojrg
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Thank you for the advice! I did ask the employee how many crabs and snails I could put in the tank I was told I can put a lot of hermits in it and was told to keep the tank clean from algae to get at least 10+ especially with the blue legs since they’re small. I asked about the emeralds because I honestly thought they were cool I just wanted like 2 of them and was told I can put another 2. I didn’t honestly think about how the tank can be overcrowded I just went with what they said was ok for the tank
Kenojrg
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Thank you so much for all the info and advice! Just want to know as you did mention that I should take my time with figuring out with upgrading my tank and I assume I do have to get the tank cycled before transferring fish over, would it be ok to keep the fish and inverts in the 5g until the larger tank is ready and fully cycled? I don’t mind doing constant maintenance and water changes for the time being until the new tank is ready.
That pet store bloke has given you terrible advice and that's not you're fault. I would take out all that clean up crew except maybe two snails. Unless you want to do massive water changes every day indefinitely - which would probably stress your fish to death.
In a tank that size at least a few of the Hermit Crabs and Snails are going to die and when they do they will cause a massive fish-killing ammonia spike.
The smaller the aquarium the more careful you have to be!
I recommend watching Bulk Reef Supply videos on Youtube
In a tank that size at least a few of the Hermit Crabs and Snails are going to die and when they do they will cause a massive fish-killing ammonia spike.
The smaller the aquarium the more careful you have to be!
I recommend watching Bulk Reef Supply videos on Youtube
KTrevino
Community Member
Thats a tricky question if it is possible to get rid of some of them that is probably the best option. Although most crabs end up naturally depleting over time anyhow. The tank is just very small so one death will effect parameters drastically. Research some AIO tanks from BRS, Marine Depot, or Saltwateraquarium.com.
CollectOyster04
Active Member
Being relatively new to saltwater and starting with a 5 gallon tank, I think you're setting yourself up for failure. The 29 gallon mentioned, probably wouldn't be a bad starting point, imo. Getting one when Petco has their dollar/gallon sale would make it very affordable. Things in a small tank can go bad quick, making the learning curve steep. This hobby can get expensive quick, so take a breathe, and go slow ! Nothing worse than spending a bunch of money on live stock to watch them all die. It's not always the fun things to buy, but getting a better tank/equipment will help to ensure long term success. Finding a quality local fish store (usually not Petco), and/or local club to help you learn the ropes would beneficial. I'm a big fan of the secondary market for tanks/equipment. Checking Craigslist or Facebook(for those that go there) can net you a tank fully stocked usually at a discount from buying the individual pieces. I've gotten a few stocked tanks, full of equipment for pennies on the dollar for just the hassle of breaking them down and moving them.
N11morales
Well-Known Member
I think you have more clean up crew in ur 5 gallon than I have in my 32G lol. Petco gave u some bad advice. I would do some of ur own research next time. That’s way to many emerald crabs also. I would only get one if I ever got bubble algae.
I would upgrade to the 29g asap. Be sure not to add a bunch more fish to it. I would do a Max of 4 small fish in a 29 and you already have 3.
The 3 fish you chose are just big bioload fish. I have 3 fish in my 6g but we are talking tiny gobies that probably have a smaller bioload combined then one of your clowns.
The 3 fish you chose are just big bioload fish. I have 3 fish in my 6g but we are talking tiny gobies that probably have a smaller bioload combined then one of your clowns.
lpsouth1978
Valuable Member
I am going to make a slightly different recommendation and suggest that you upgrade to a 40 breeder instead of the 29g. Trust me, you will be glad you did. a 29g is only 12" deep and makes creating a good aquascape very difficult while still leaving room for fish to swim and eliminating dead spots in the tank.
I personally also feel that if you want to get an anemone down the road (please DO NOT do this for at least 6 months and you have a stable thriving tank) a 29g is really not big enough for any hosting species for long. Even BTA's can get quite large and overwhelm a small tank like a 29.
I personally also feel that if you want to get an anemone down the road (please DO NOT do this for at least 6 months and you have a stable thriving tank) a 29g is really not big enough for any hosting species for long. Even BTA's can get quite large and overwhelm a small tank like a 29.
Kenojrg
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Hi everyone I just want to really thank everyone for their advice and input on what I should do and all the information given to me. So just an update I asked one of my friends dad if it was possible for him to take my clowns until I upgrade my tank and he gladly did so (he has a 100g). Everything else is still in the 5g I plan on doing some water changes daily and monitoring water parameters, I’ve heard the inverts can be hardy so thats what’s mainly in there along with the scooter blenny. I’m looking into some tanks at the moment, I plan on avoiding petco from now on for livestock but they are currently having that dollar per gallon sale I’m going to look into a 29 gallon possibly and maybe a aqua clear filter (I’ve seen some people on YouTube use them for their saltwater tanks), as I said I’m still looking into it. I know Ipsouth mentioned a 40 but atm I don’t think I can fit another 40 gallon in the house (I have a bearded dragon and ball python house in 40 gallon tanks) deff in the future I’ll be posting more and updating you guys on my tank, thank you guys again for all the help
