Real problem and need help fast

[Doctorgori]

Could work sans Big eye soldier…I’m thinking you are right at your stocking limits as it is…
you definitely need more bio surface

 

[ghill]

I am also of the belief that a temperature control problem when the ac started up may have stresses the tank. I saw drops of 3 -4 deg. I have solved that problem by getting a more robust heater and it now only drops about .5 deg.

 

[ghill]

Could work sans Big eye soldier…I’m thinking you are right at your stocking limits as it is…
you definitely need more bio surface

Interestingly enough the big eye soldier I have had for 3 months in the other 20 gal long tank along with several other fish and corals. We hardly ever saw him as he hid in a cave nearly all the time only coming out to eat or at night. I though the new cube, having a lot of room to swim, would be good for the fish and our viewing. Guess not

 

[ghill]

One more question... would you take a chance on the purchase of live rock or let a virgin rock develop on its own aided by bio additions?

 

[Doctorgori]

Interestingly enough the big eye soldier I have had for 3 months in the other 20 gal long tank along with several other fish and corals. We hardly ever saw him as he hid in a cave nearly all the time only coming out to eat or at night. I though the new cube, having a lot of room to swim, would be good for the fish and our viewing. Guess not

I once got some stop light cardinals, never saw those either…basically most red/orange fish are nocturnal…usually

One more question... would you take a chance on the purchase of live rock or let a virgin rock develop on its own aided by bio additions?

The fish losses might have inadvertently put you within your biological limits already, so I’d say do either:
-let Dry (cheaper) rock cure “in tank/in place”
or get pre cycled rock