Low ammonia and high nitrites.

[mvan14]

Hello all,

The past couple days I noticed my copperband stop eating. This morning he’s laying down on the bottom of the tank, still alive swimming every now and then but he’s on his way out. Naturally I tested my water. All levels are good except a spike in nitrites. The last water change I did was 6 days ago, 20% change. I use instant ocean reef crystals salt.

My current plan is to do another 20% water change. But I did have a thought to try something like Seachem prime. However I don’t have any experience with this and would like to hear if anyone out there has used it.

Recently I did add a Refugium to my tank, this past week. And In order to do that I had to remove rubble rock to fit the Refugium. Not sure if this could contribute to a spike in nitrites or not.

I’m mixing water now and about to go but some Seachem prime just in case.

Appreciate the help!

 

[bluemon]

How old is the tank?

distrubing established rubble can lead to a spike in numbers so that could be the cause but the nitrifying bacteria should have ideally taken care of it

 

[OSFF]

Nitrite isn't really an issue in saltwater aquariums and only becomes deadly around 300+ppm. You really shouldn't be having any ammonia or nitrite spikes at all once a tank is cycled though. How new is the aquarium?

 

[paxton.rock]

Hello all,

The past couple days I noticed my copperband stop eating. This morning he’s laying down on the bottom of the tank, still alive swimming every now and then but he’s on his way out. Naturally I tested my water. All levels are good except a spike in nitrites. The last water change I did was 6 days ago, 20% change. I use instant ocean reef crystals salt.

My current plan is to do another 20% water change. But I did have a thought to try something like Seachem prime. However I don’t have any experience with this and would like to hear if anyone out there has used it.

Recently I did add a Refugium to my tank, this past week. And In order to do that I had to remove rubble rock to fit the Refugium. Not sure if this could contribute to a spike in nitrites or not.

I’m mixing water now and about to go but some Seachem prime just in case.

Appreciate the help!

Prime doesn’t solve the problem. It will just hit the pause button. You still have to figure out what happened.

Removing rock definitely removed some of your beneficial bacteria. That is probably a lead to the problem. You removed bacteria and your tank couldn’t keep up with your nutrient levels.

 

[mvan14]

How old is the tank?

distrubing established rubble can lead to a spike in numbers so that could be the cause but the nitrifying bacteria should have ideally taken care of it

The tanks just hitting the one year mark.

 

[mvan14]

Nitrite isn't really an issue in saltwater aquariums and only becomes deadly around 300+ppm. You really shouldn't be having any ammonia or nitrite spikes at all once a tank is cycled though. How new is the aquarium?

Nitrite isn’t a problem? Dont we want 0ppm? The tanks almost a year old.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hello all,

The past couple days I noticed my copperband stop eating. This morning he’s laying down on the bottom of the tank, still alive swimming every now and then but he’s on his way out. Naturally I tested my water. All levels are good except a spike in nitrites. The last water change I did was 6 days ago, 20% change. I use instant ocean reef crystals salt.

My current plan is to do another 20% water change. But I did have a thought to try something like Seachem prime. However I don’t have any experience with this and would like to hear if anyone out there has used it.

Recently I did add a Refugium to my tank, this past week. And In order to do that I had to remove rubble rock to fit the Refugium. Not sure if this could contribute to a spike in nitrites or not.

I’m mixing water now and about to go but some Seachem prime just in case.

Appreciate the help!

How old is the tank?
Nitrites do not matter.

Copperbands are difficult fish even in well established tanks.

How long have you had the fish?

 

[mvan14]

Prime doesn’t solve the problem. It will just hit the pause button. You still have to figure out what happened.

Removing rock definitely removed some of your beneficial bacteria. That is probably a lead to the problem. You removed bacteria and your tank couldn’t keep up with your nutrient levels.

That’s my thoughts as well. It’s the only “new” thing I’ve done to the tank. And it’s been running dang near auto pilot with that amount of rubble rock.

 

[mvan14]

How old is the tank?
Nitrites do not matter.

Copperbands are difficult fish even in well established tanks.

How long have you had the fish?

He’s been in the tank for about 4 months now. Been eating well since day one and has friendly tank mates.