Help getting back up on my feet!

[pinkprincess]

Hi everyone!

After months and months of trying, failing, and deaths (see link here)- my tank has been left barren since this last post of mine.
I want to get back up on my feet and try again, as I’ve always wanted a saltwater tank. Unfortunately, I was insanely busy the past few months and overwhelmed with all the information of what could have gone wrong and how to fix it- and my tank currently looks like the picture attached. I’ve kept my protein skimmer and filter running this whole time, and two weeks ago i siphoned out some of the algae on the bottom.
Any tips to help me get everything in tip top shape again would be great! (Please be kind)

 

[JumboShrimp]

Greetings! Perhaps go a bit slower this time around-- and as you learned, choosing the right fish/tankmates for a tank that small is crucial. Glad to see you not giving up, though.

 

[pinkprincess]

Greetings! Perhaps go a bit slower this time around-- and as you learned, choosing the right fish/tankmates for a tank that small is crucial. Glad to see you not giving up, though.

Thank you so much, i appreciate it

 

[SurfTrack]

Hey! I think you should definitely try again!

I have a very similar tank: 15g cube (no skimmer). I set it up exactly five weeks ago and it’s doing well thankfully. Small tanks are hard!

I have a few thoughts for your tank.

1. Do you have a power head? I think you need some more flow, especially some more surface agitation. This will help with gas exchange.

2. I would probably ditch the skimmer for the time being. You have no livestock, so I would just take it out for now.

3. How are you monitoring your tanks salinity. Given it is such a small system, any evaporation may cause large swings in salinity. Potentially consider investing in an auto top off device. This was the BEST decision I’ve made.

Overall, I think your first step is to stabilize your tank as much as possible.

 

[pinkprincess]

Hey! I think you should definitely try again!

I have a very similar tank: 15g cube (no skimmer). I set it up exactly five weeks ago and it’s doing well thankfully. Small tanks are hard!

I have a few thoughts for your tank.

1. Do you have a power head? I think you need some more flow, especially some more surface agitation. This will help with gas exchange.

2. I would probably ditch the skimmer for the time being. You have no livestock, so I would just take it out for now.

3. How are you monitoring your tanks salinity. Given it is such a small system, any evaporation may cause large swings in salinity. Potentially consider investing in an auto top off device. This was the BEST decision I’ve made.

Overall, I think your first step is to stabilize your tank as much as possible.

I do not have a power head! Will definitely look into purchasing one. Which do you recommend?

Got it!! Will turn my skimmer off.

I have a refractometer, today it’s reading 1.22 so on next water change i think I’ll take that into consideration! (I don’t live near any LFS so i purchase distilled water jugs for evaporation. I know it’s expensive, but it’s the best option for me right now). For an auto top off device, how much room does it need? Which do you recommend? I currently have been living in a small apartment so don’t have a ton of room.

Putting my parameters from yesterday here pre- water change (it evaporated a lot over time and i want to try to stabilize it now). Since my ammonia and nitrates were high, i did a slight water change and then added distilled water to account for the evaporation. I also added in bacteria (see the kind in the picture) for the nitrates. Any other tips are highly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

Date —- ammonia - nitrite —nitrate —-PH

11/7

0.50 ppm

0 ppm

40 ppm

8.0