What is wrong with my tank (cycling for 2 months)

[yungocellaris]

Hello, I frequent these forums but finally I’ve bit the bullet and made and account. I need help

600L tank, 6x2x2, 100L sump. NYOS skimmer.


I’m honestly not sure what’s wrong. My phosphate was through the roof. Got it down using Phosphate X (Lanthanum)

Magnesium <1000ppm
Calcium 600ppm
Alkalinity 12.6dkh
pH 7.8
Phosphate 0.07 as of this morning / but was 0.90 and yesterday was 0.11
Salinity 35/36

can some one help me, I tested with some hermits and they come out of their shells and I put them back into my smaller tank. I’m too scared to put anything in there.

I do have some rock work. That “was” live. But is now dead

Any help would be appreciated

 

[yungocellaris]

Here is a picture of the tank setup

 

[RWReefer]

can you explain exactly what you’ve done to the tank since starting it? How did you start the cycle?

 

[EliMelly]

What is the issue exactly, you need to post parameters for the nutrients that are relevant regarding your cycle… nitrates and ammonia?

 

[slingfox]

Need to provide more details on your tank setup to get helpful advice.

 

[jcmjoe]

I wonder if it’s fluctuating the calcium and alkalinity with the magnesium only at 1000? The magnesium should be around 1280, and get your calcium down to 420 ish and alk down to 9 at 35 ppt salinity. I’ve seen low magnesium make your calcium and alkalinity swing all over the place and maybe it’s stressing everybody out? Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[yungocellaris]

Okay so I didn’t start the cycling process very well.

I had bio bags and chaeto in the sump, I did a 50% water change weekly.

I had the wrong sand (shore sand from Bargara 4670) I was told that was very wrong. So I took it all out, then I have replaced it with medium and coarse Bahama sand.

But before all this I added $300 worth of live rock around 15kg. And I’m guessing it has all died. And then shot everything up.

I’ll check my ammonia and nitrites and relay that.

But I also was doing a pinch of fish food every day or so. Should I just empty everything and try again?

 

[yungocellaris]

 

[jcmjoe]

I’d definitely check ammonia , nitrite , nitrates before I did anything else.

 

[yungocellaris]

I’d definitely check ammonia , nitrite , nitrates before I did anything else.

Alright, doing as we speak. I’ll upload results soon

 

[yungocellaris]

So here are some more levels
Nitrate — 5.7ppm
Nitrite — 0.006 ppm
Ammonia — 0.88ppm

Sorry I put ammonia as 0.02ppm that was a mistake. I was impatient on waiting the full 15 minutes

Using Hanna Marine Multiparameter Photometer test kit (HI97115C)

 

[EliMelly]

So here are some more levels
Nitrate — 5.7ppm
Nitrite — 0.006 ppm
Ammonia — 0.88ppm

Sorry I put ammonia as 0.02ppm that was a mistake. I was impatient on waiting the full 15 minutes

Using Hanna Marine Multiparameter Photometer test kit (HI97115C)

So your cycle isn’t done you still have ammonia, leave your tank as is and do not do any water changes until you have 0 ammonia.

 

[yungocellaris]

So your cycle isn’t done you still have ammonia, leave your tank as is and do not do any water changes until you have 0 ammonia.

How long do I normally have to wait?

 

[Monad]

How long do I normally have to wait?

Since you have live rock, probably not too long. It’s really touch and go. Just keep checking daily. 0.88ppm is pretty close to being cycled if you’ve already dosed ammonia and have had a die off.

 

[EliMelly]

How long do I normally have to wait?

Did you use bottled bacteria? I suggest Fritz turbo start. You won’t need to wait long at all.

 

[EliMelly]

Another thing, I really don’t think your live rock died…

 

[Solo McReefer]

Since you have live rock, probably not too long. It’s really touch and go. Just keep checking daily. 0.88ppm is pretty close to being cycled if you’ve already dosed ammonia and have had a die off.

Doesn't look too alive now

Anyway, it's not dry rock, so there is that

 

[Solo McReefer]

Another thing, I really don’t think your live rock died…

Looks pretty barren in the pics

 

[Solo McReefer]

If that were my tank

I would start by cleaning up all that algae. Clean up the sump

It's growing algae, so that's a good sign. it can't grow with ammonia in the system

I would add bottled Start type bacterias every night. A dropperful each. Pick your flavor

Add some CUC. Feed them fish food. Add some starter fish, feed them accordingly Start adding some softy corals, and tester frags

And do frequent water changes

Assess that, and start adding my corals as needed. Zoas and cheap corals first, and then SPS in about 4 to 6 months

 

[Tamberav]

Some of your live rock is strange looking.

Two pieces look like lava rock.