Need some help balancing bioload

[ElitePirate]

Hello Friends,

So I made a newbie mistake and a stupid one, adding quite a lot of fishes in my 15G nano tank. To be precise :

- 02 Amphiprion ocellaris
- 01 Bicolor dottyback
- 01 Yellow Gobi
- 01 Six line wrasse
- 01 Blue Damselfish

My ammonia, KH and all other mineral params seems to be within range. But my phosphate and nitrate level is way too high. You can read more about that here : https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/high-phosphate-and-nitrate-levels.474018/

I'm not sure if it's because of the bioload or because of over feeding (which i've already reduced by half)...

So, now my problem -

1) I don't want to buy another nano tank (may be 8-10G) and transfer 2 fishes to that because in that case I'll have to do more water changes every week at least.

2) I won't be able to return back to any of the LFS because they simply don't accept it here.

3) I don't have the heart to give it away but well if I have no option, then I'll have to take this path.

Any other solutions, idea?

Is it really too much for a 15G tank? Just FYI, all my fish, corals doing fine. The only issue is phosphate and nitrate levels.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I would find a new home for the dottyback, 6 line and damsel.. to many fish in a 15 and all of those fish will most likely become aggressive in a tank that small. It’s very important to thoroughly research everything you put in your tank it will save you lots of aggravation and money.

 

[ElitePirate]

I would find a new home for the dottyback, 6 line and damsel.. to many fish in a 15 and all of those fish will most likely become aggressive in a tank that small. It’s very important to thoroughly research everything you put in your tank it will save you lots of aggravation and money.

Hmm that will literally leave me with 2 clown and 1 Gobi.

Let's see if I can setup another tank...

 

[Mikedawg]

I would find a new home for the dottyback, 6 line and damsel.. to many fish in a 15 and all of those fish will most likely become aggressive in a tank that small. It’s very important to thoroughly research everything you put in your tank it will save you lots of aggravation and money.

+1, those three can be problematic when they get bigger, especially if you don't have a lot of places for them to set up territory, free swim, etc.

 

[Crazeh]

If two tanks is an issue maybe upgrade the size of your existing one?

Don't have to give the others away, I'm sure there's a group local to you where you could sell.

For comparison I've been keeping 2 Percs and a Firefish in my 13.5G along with CUC, and most would agree that's the limit for a tank that size.

 

[Crazeh]

I'm not familiar with your setup but whilst you get the fish sorted, running GFO will help with the phosphates and macro algae with the nitrates, otherwise keep a good water change routine.

 

[ElitePirate]

thanks im already using NOPOX and i think within 1-2 weeks it will be under control

 

[Super Fly]

Hmm that will literally leave me with 2 clown and 1 Gobi.

Let's see if I can setup another tank...

I'd just get a bigger tank as it'll solve both your stocking and NO3/PO4 issues in one shot.

 

[WVNed]

I kept 5 fish in a 30g cube. 6 was too many.

You need a 40g breeder if you want to keep all those fish.

 

[ElitePirate]

I'd just get a bigger tank as it'll solve both your stocking and NO3/PO4 issues in one shot.

I've already spent more than $1000s in this nano tank, so it's not a big deal for me to get a bigger tank. For example a 40G tank will cost me just around $700+ if i really need a big tank i can get it, but im still learning. For such a big tank i need to have more experience n filtration, sump setup etc. Now only i'm learning things slowly and finally got to know about water params and all. That's why i dnt want to get a bigger tank

 

[samnaz]

Well, if you want to keep all those fish you really should get a larger tank.

But since you don’t want a larger tank yet, rehome or sell a couple of them. Keeping them will only cause problems for you and the fish.

Setting up a simple 40 gallon tank for example, is easier than you think. With AIO tanks and reef ready tanks you hardly have to learn anything more than you already know. And, you might be able to find a used one for sale locally for crazy cheap. Start looking around.

 

[ElitePirate]

Well, if you want to keep all those fish you really should get a larger tank.

But since you don’t want a larger tank yet, rehome or sell a couple of them. Keeping them will only cause problems for you and the fish.

Setting up a simple 40 gallon tank for example, is easier than you think. With AIO tanks and reef ready tanks you hardly have to learn anything more than you already know. And, you might be able to find a used one for sale locally for crazy cheap. Start looking around.

ok sure, I'll look around.