My Nitrates Too low

[Dburr1014]

This fish looks stressed
Mottled color and clamped fins.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

I will see if I can get a video of the tank then you say if it is stressed. If it is stressed I'll try to relocate them

 

[GARRIGA]

Corals & macro will consume ammonia before nitrate. I dose ammonia instead of feeding more. Because I have ornamental macros in my display tank, they consume large amounts of nutrients.

I sent Gracilaria Parvispora to a regional agriculture lab for analysis: the ratio of N/P was 30/1 and the ratio of Na/N was 5/1 so the ratio of Na/P was 150/1

Note: Does Foxface in a 20G display have enough swimming room?

More I learn about corals the more they remind me about plants. I'm also going to dose ammonium although I'd rather just overfeed and let nature solve everything for me. Coral, biological media and plants. Nitrate levels not going to be something I'll bother with. Heavy in. Heavy out. See how that goes.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

A video of the fish. Do tell if you think one of them is stressed

 

[Dburr1014]

A video of the fish. Do tell if you think one of them is stressed

Yes, that foxface is looking for an escape route. Not interested in anything else.
If it wasn't in there the 3 cromis wouldn't be so huddled.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don;t know if its stress, but its weird how they all stay in that same spot looking in that same direction.....

Normal happy fish should be exploring and picking at rocks

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

Ok. So heres another video with me not being visible to them. Probably in the previous one they were evpecting for food.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

Do tell if one of them is stressed

 

[Hockeypunk1]

They are all stressed. Look at the dorsal fins on the foxface, they are sticking straight up the majority of the time. Your cleaner wrasse is just swimming circles on the glass, the color of the foxface and all 3 chromis is dark and they're all huddled in the corner. Even when you weren't visible, the foxface would come out and then dart back to the corner. Trade it in for an algae blenny if you want something that will pick at algae and would be appropriate for your tank size. There's soooo many great fish that you can get that is appropriate for your tank! I would stop taking the advice of your lfs and just come here and ask or like someone else told you go to live aquaria website and search the fish you're considering to buy, they have details on all the needs of nearly every aquarium fish. Start doing research instead of going to the fish store and doing impulse purchases.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

As for the overstocking, I have seen tinier tanks that are way more overstocked but I will monitor they're behaviour.

that doesn’t make it right. I hate to go to negative town on you but you are not giving your fish a good home. You want those fish, you need the tank size to support them.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

My 120 4ft seems small for my one spot.

 

[Dburr1014]

My 120 4ft seems small for my one spot.

They recommend a 250ish size tank for a one spot.
I thought I could have one for my 150 gal until I did the research. The only rabbit for a 150 is a magnificent. I don't care for that one though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

They recommend a 250ish size tank for a one spot.
I thought I could have one for my 150 gal until I did the research. The only rabbit for a 150 is a magnificent. I don't care for that one though.

I don’t think my one spot foxface was overcrowded in my 120, but I suppose it depends on the fish size, and the aquascaping, and even perhaps in the availability of algae.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

Update:
Gave back all fish and got a pair of clownfish instead. Let's just say many, and I mean many things have changed. The tank is in an awfull state and I never really got the chance to fix it up until recently. My nitrates are 50. There is an insane amount of hair algae here and there. I'm thinking of going shopping for a bunch of CUC. Any ideas on what type of CUC ?

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

Here's a few pics.

 

[CHSUB]

an appropriate stocking level…now get a toothbrush, turkey baster and a bucket for WC. Scrub and blow the rock to remove all toxic, nasty algae and do a large WC, maybe 50%. 10 Astrea snails, 5 blue leg hermit crabs, emerald crab, few sand sifter snails, maybe 2 turbo snails, tail spot Blenny…. Also clean glass and power heads, manually remove ALL the algae you can! Weekly 10% WC going forward with manual algae removal and you are on your way…feed only what fish eat in a few seconds and no extra food falls to gravel. No secret potions or adding inorganic nutrients.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

an appropriate stocking level…now get a toothbrush, turkey baster and a bucket for WC. Scrub and blow the rock to remove all toxic, nasty algae and do a large WC, maybe 50%. 10 Astrea snails, 5 blue leg hermit crabs, emerald crab, few sand sifter snails, maybe 2 turbo snails, tail spot Blenny…. Also clean glass and power heads, manually remove ALL the algae you can! Weekly 10% WC going forward with manual algae removal and you are on your way…feed only what fish eat in a few seconds and no extra food falls to gravel. No secret potions or adding inorganic nutrients.

I have read emerald crabs can be pretty nasty once they grow big. Just wanna confirm this before getting one.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

an appropriate stocking level…now get a toothbrush, turkey baster and a bucket for WC. Scrub and blow the rock to remove all toxic, nasty algae and do a large WC, maybe 50%. 10 Astrea snails, 5 blue leg hermit crabs, emerald crab, few sand sifter snails, maybe 2 turbo snails, tail spot Blenny…. Also clean glass and power heads, manually remove ALL the algae you can! Weekly 10% WC going forward with manual algae removal and you are on your way…feed only what fish eat in a few seconds and no extra food falls to gravel. No secret potions or adding inorganic nutrients.

Thanks a lot, by the way. This is really helpful.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

None of my lfs is selling any type of CUC that is stated above except for turbo snails and sand sifter snails. I'll get those first.
Are there any substitutes for the other CUC ?
I heard urchins are good. My lfs are selling some blue tuxedo sea urchins.