I just started running a 15g AIO and am not off to a good start! I hope my clowns survive!
I ran my aquarium for a week with Caribsea live sand, dry "Life Rock" and added some ceramic media blocks to the back part. I assumed I didn't need to dose bottled bacteria because the live sand already had live bacteria in it. Spoiler: Wrong answer
Brought a water sample to the LFS and all the parameters looked fine. I bought two false perculas and added them to the tank. They were completely fine for a little while.
I started getting a little suspicious when I didn't see any nitrates or nitrites in the water for a week. Also started noticing the fish not looking so good. Rapid breathing, hanging out close to the sand bed and not eating. Also have some kind of extended poop strings which I read was due to stress.
I tested the ammonia and got a 0.5ppm reading. Found the problem. I bought some Prime and Dr Tim's and started dosing both daily. I added more ceramic media blocks and added a small pump near the ceramic to increase water flow over them.
It's been about 4 days now. I'm starting to see ammonia drop down to 0.25ppm and am finally starting to see nitrites (0.5ppm) and nitrates (10ppm). I guess now it's a race between the microbiome and how much longer the clowns can survive.
Personally I don't think they're going to make it and I'll have to go buy another pair after they kick the bucket and the aquarium is done cycling, but part of me is hopeful.
Has anyone else seen clownfish recover from new tank syndrome?
I ran my aquarium for a week with Caribsea live sand, dry "Life Rock" and added some ceramic media blocks to the back part. I assumed I didn't need to dose bottled bacteria because the live sand already had live bacteria in it. Spoiler: Wrong answer
Brought a water sample to the LFS and all the parameters looked fine. I bought two false perculas and added them to the tank. They were completely fine for a little while.
I started getting a little suspicious when I didn't see any nitrates or nitrites in the water for a week. Also started noticing the fish not looking so good. Rapid breathing, hanging out close to the sand bed and not eating. Also have some kind of extended poop strings which I read was due to stress.
I tested the ammonia and got a 0.5ppm reading. Found the problem. I bought some Prime and Dr Tim's and started dosing both daily. I added more ceramic media blocks and added a small pump near the ceramic to increase water flow over them.
It's been about 4 days now. I'm starting to see ammonia drop down to 0.25ppm and am finally starting to see nitrites (0.5ppm) and nitrates (10ppm). I guess now it's a race between the microbiome and how much longer the clowns can survive.
Personally I don't think they're going to make it and I'll have to go buy another pair after they kick the bucket and the aquarium is done cycling, but part of me is hopeful.
Has anyone else seen clownfish recover from new tank syndrome?