You may find it takes a little while to go down. Sometimes it takes a while for the nitrite->nitrate bacteria to kick into high gear. Until the nitrites start to go down markedly don't worry too much about your nitrate readings. Most test kits will give you falsely high nitrate reading in the presence of excess nitrite.
Agreed. My 11 year old boys said the same thing when I told them this morning that we had officially lost the BTA.Welcome to R2R and the salty world. It seems like your lfs is only after your money. Knowing you had a new tank, for only a few weeks, they should never sold you an anemone. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.
Hi there. I thought I would jump in somewhere and give my background as well as lack of knowledge or history.
I am new to saltwater. I have had my tank up and running for 6 weeks now. I was running two freshwater tanks and have had tanks off and on since I was 5. From the age of 7 my dad had me maintaining the fish tank and even our pool, running all the tests, cleaning, adjusting parameters, etc. Through adulthood (whatever that is), I've continued. All with freshwater.
So. Here I am. 6 weeks into my saltwater tank. I converted a 20gal tank....meaning I moved what was in there to my other freshwater tank then drained and cleaned the tank. Added live sand, live rock, and about 17 gallons of prepared water purchased from LFS. Let that run for 3 weeks. Parameters showed a basic cycle had begun. Went to my LFS, who I trusted completely (foolish move, in retrospect). Bought two clownfish, a bubble tip anemone, and a tiger conch. Added them. Clownfish had been paired previously and had also bonded with the BTA. They were sooooo cute upon adding them to my tiny tank...the clownfish worried about the BTA so much! Over the next day the BTA moved himself to my rocks. He was hanging upside down-ish from an overhang and he seemed to be fine. Other than I worried about how much light he was getting from my dinky white LED light since he was upside down-ish under an overhand. Knowing what I know now, I also wonder if he was actually able to catch food, since he was upside down-ish and all.
Here's where I have learned I'm a fool. I went into my LFS store knowing I was getting two clowns. When I went to that LFS store six weeks ago to get started, I talked with the owner at length, and knew upon leaving, that my tank wouldn't hold much more than two clowns. I intend to move towards a mixed reef and know that I need to upgrade my light (badly!). But beyond that, my system is pretty basic and just not big enough to do wonders with. Nonetheless, it will get me going with good habits and help me learn along the way. What I don't want is to get pushed into buying something not knowing what I'm getting into and potentially kill a beautiful creature whom I only want to stare at. When I went back to the LFS three weeks ago, the owner was there but his employee was helping me. She pushed me into the BTA and conch. I now know that my tank is nowhere near stable enough for a BTA. I do, however, think the tiger conch has been beneficial. My algae is just getting started...my ugly phase isn't even ugly yet.
So here I am, 6 weeks in. My BTA died. He suddenly detached Thursday. And from there he just withered up and slipped away. I did not know enough and my resources didn't prove trustworthy. Too little too late type of thing. I am heartbroken. I am sad for the beautiful BTA. I am sad that I proved to be a fool. I am sad that I thought I was doing alright. I am sad that what I thought I knew turns out to be about 100% of nothing. I am trying, now, to move forward positively with a resource that I can count on. I tried a Facebook group where newbies can ask questions. But all anyone does there is judge and condemn. I'm looking for positivity and shareable knowledge. And understanding that we are human and that this "hobby" comes with heartbreak. I want to do my best. I want to work up to a huge tank. I want to go forward with that knowing what to do. My 20-gal is a starter. It is not my end all be all. But, that said, I want my 20-gal to thrive.
My parameters at this point are all over the place. After adding livestock the ammonia, understandably, spiked and fell. Nitrates spiked and fell, as well. And nitrites continue to show the progress between the two (I hope that makes sense). I know, at this point, that my alkalinity is high but my pH is actually low. Too much CO2 around the tank. Four dogs, four cats, four rats, and four humans...and most all of us are in this room all day every day. Trying to find a solution for that. I'm a SAHM to twin boys that are 11, going into sixth grade. We homeschool, which is why we're in the same room all day every day. We live in central Texas so opening the windows for airflow in August isn't an option. Come late fall, though, our windows will be open all the time.
And that's probably enough of an intro. Thanks for having me! (and reading my rambles.)
Good planning. Might be worth telling the owner what happened and that you trusted what his employee said. He might refund you or give you credit for future purchase.
