The last straw

[handtlkr]

Ok...after now 2 weeks, my new $130 Sapphire skimmer took a dump with no way of getting help as the company is no longer up and running. Several water checks by the store, much death in the tanks with no idea as only the nitrates are a little high all other tests they did were within paramters (salt, nitrites, ammonia ect). Did a 5G change last night and going for another tonight, I'll take out all rock, sift for my under sand snails and anything else that might be the cause of anything out of the ordinary (some cynao is present) and then re-aquascape, put in the original filtering equipment except for the bio balls as I have some LR rubble back there now. What the heck, nothing much left to loose anyway!:mad2: Then I'll sit back and do nothing, buy nothing, add nothing for 3 months which will bring my tank to 6 months and see where I stand.

[NYIntensity]

At 3 months your tank isn't very established; without knowing the history I can't make any real recommendations, but you can recover from pretty much anything with time...as they say in this hobby, only bad things happen fast.

You say "put in the original filtering", do you mean that you had a HOB or canister filter, or are you using a sump/refugium? Removing bioballs can be bad for a tank unless done slowly. Care to give any more details as to what the problems are? A skimmer going bad surely isn't enough to get you this upset.

[handtlkr]

The Aquapod 24G tank was born in December, cycled with flying colors and no problems whatsoever. I added snails first with a clown, then a damsel (now trapped and gone), a small emerald crab, a royal gramma and a sand sifter goby. All additions were pre-empted by a water check by my store before each purchase (call me paranoid) and all was fine until the skimmer came into the picture 2 weeks ago. Maybe it was chance, whatever, but the death started about that time. I removed, over a week, the sponges, bio balls (there were only 4) and ceramic media and added rubble and the skimmer. I started to loose snails first, then the gramma and the crab the day after. Again, took a sample to 2 trusted stores who did all tests with only that the salt was a bit high (1.025 if I have that numbering right) and 0 nitrates, safe ammonia, in range nitrates. So, that's where I stand at this time.

[matthewscars]

Safe ammonia? Please Define.

You should have none what-so-ever.

[Shooter7]

1.025 salinity is fine, that's what I keep my tanks at all the time. Not sure what "safe" ammonia is, unless that's ZERO. Seems like a lot of stock added in a pretty short amount of time. I'm assuming you didn't QT any of these fish? I will echo, without actually being there and seeing just how the tank was doing, it's hard to point at any one thing. Disease, flow, temp, out of what parameters like pH, alk, etc, many things could have contributed. I think it's a very good idea to sit back and observe the tank for awhile. During that time you can get your own quality test kits to do your own testing, as well as set up a quarantine tank for your future fish purchases.

[NYIntensity]

You removed all that over one week? That's quite a bit; I'd have suggested a few of the bio balls (a handful at most depending on the amount you had) every couple of days, with weekly water changes. Bio balls are known nitrate factories over time. Don't give up, just take your time. 1.025 isn't high for salinity, that's the average; mine is at 1.026 in both my 180 and 55. You should buy a test kit next, and wait for this new cycle to finish. When everything balances out, start with your CUC. How often did you have the water checked during the cycling period? A 24g tank can cycle quite quickly, and it's possible that you (1) missed it, or (2) pre-empted it. Mechanical filtering leaves a lot of room for error; I'd replace the skimmer. I haven't seen many Aquapods with sumps, but then again, I haven't been in the reefing community very long. If it's possible to set one up, I would; if not, I guess the mechanical filtration is your best option?

[handtlkr]

Sorry, both stores said it was fine/safe/no issues, they didn't give me a number to deal with.

[NYIntensity]

Don't trust them...they're looking at your eyes locked on a fish and see a prospective sale... your water could be black:

"Oh, it's fine, it'll clear up in a day...come look at this coral beauty!"

[serpentman]

My two cents, as others have stated slow changes are necessary. In a nano, downright required as water quality can turn on a dime given the water volume. Personally, I would invest in a decent test kit and test your own water. This will allow you to take real time measurements and make sure what they are telling you is accurate. Furthermore, because a lot of test kits require a color comparison, if a different person at the LFS tests your water each time, each test will be subjected to that person's interpretation of the results giving you more inconsistency. By having your own kits, you can take a baseline and see changes on a weekly or daily basis that they will not pick up on.

[jmadd]

Just leave it alone you are moving way to fast with it. Removing the media in such a young tank and a short time probably started you on a recycle. In the nanos I am with those that dont skim weekly water changes should be enough. Leave what you have in the tank and watch for the cycle to end again and get your own test kits its much easier then running to the LPS.

[Ricky1066]

I am fairly new to the community also I have notice that I lost my 5 turbo snails and a starfish after running my skimmer maybe the skimmer is supposed to be running before adding anything I don't know Just thought is was a coincidence reading your post.

I also hear alot of knocking of fish store peopel yes they are salesman but we have to trust them some of the time I guess like anything else we need to use our God given instinct
I switched back to my fluval 405 canister and started my skimmer again slowly People hate canisters for salt water but it seems to be clearing up my tank slowly but much clearer then it was .I did not agree with the sump
and as I keep readinghere what is good for some is notgood for another

If you feel your skimmer cause it cleanit out and try it again.

Good luck

[NYIntensity]

Canister filters work, but without proper maintenance, they can easily do more harm than good. A tank with a sump can be much more forgiving, simply because of the added water volume.

[WinnipegDragon]

You added LR rubble. Did you cure it first? If not, it's probably curing in your tank right now...

[NYIntensity]

I knew I meant to ask something and couldn't remember what it was....

+1

[handtlkr]

All rock came fully cured and from the same source. I'm calming a bit and will feel MUCH better when the store that sold me the skimmer (whose company is no longer) credits my account for the 135.00 smackers for something that only worked for less thank 2 weeks. I did check it, it was moving water but no bubbles. I tried cleaning it out, taking apart the pump, changing the settings...no deal.

[handtlkr]

Another update. Took the less than 2 week old skimmer back to the store I got it from and they ARGUED with me about my purchace at their store even when I showed them my BANK receipt of the purchase along with alll in the box and the box with the price and fingering the employee that sold it to me assuring of the great customer service of the Sapphire! After some go between he grudgingly credited my credit card back, but only after a shouting match! If all stores go under I will NEVER set foot in there again!

[NewFish3]

handtlkr,

Well, I was going to ask you how the tank was..............but I see.

How was your weekend.......... Is there another LFS in your area ??? that you can go to..& trust.

[handtlkr]

Yeah.,,it was spent cold and peeved over the tank...but I'm moving on. My trusty store near me is guiding. Doing a 10G change tomorrow along with aquascaping b/c there is nothing to loose at this point. Hopefully I can get it stabilized. After this change ect I'm not touching, adding ect for 2 mos to see what happens! I have to add though patience is NOT my virtue!

[handtlkr]

Might I add that it's warm and the day was BEAUTIFUL except for the ugly store thingy and my dogs LOVE me!

[NewFish3]

Well, if it helps ( I know it wont ).....its about 19 deg right now. Got up to a whapping 26 earlier.

I realy hope you can find a good LFS around you. I hate to see you loose any more fishies.

How big are your dogs ??? maybe put them in the tank....lol lol

have you checked with anyone else in your area to see who they use. You might have to take a drive.

I have 4 LFS within 10 min of my house. One of them is where I got the tank....dont go to him anymore. I drive about 1 hour to my new LFS, but their awsome.

[handtlkr]

Did a 5G change on Tuesday and doing another 10G water change tonight along with re aquascaping my rock and checking the sand bed for any dead items as I'm still getting red sand issues and since I'm feeding VERY carefully I'm wondering if a snail bit it in there and is festering.

The store closest to me, All About Fish in Long Beach,CA is WONDERFUL! They are so helpful, understanding and willing to work with a customer in order to have anyone be successful! He loaned me another 5G tub so I could do it w/o traveling back and forth. Of course I practically was crying in their store about everything...I'm SUCH a girl sometimes! LOL

[NewFish3]

Iam glad you found A LFS close..... Iam telling you, There are about 30-35 LFS in the chicago land area & its still hard to find a good one. I swear that some of them are politicians....they feel you out & tell you what you wanta hear

Then there are some that have you on the item of the month club. If they make more money on a certin item...ya...thats what you need.

SORRY any LFS owners....... Not all are like this

[handtlkr]

I agree! I just had a bad experience at this one store. I'm sure that there are many others that are willing and able to help me along in a respectable way!

[NewFish3]

Ijust look at it like this.....you can f me once, but only once