Ready to smash my tank!!

[robin rodgers]

:sad2:hammer:uzi:I cured 200 lbs live rock from fiji in december, after six weeks continued curing in 150G tank with argonite base, skimmer and refugium. things were going good so i added some Damsels after 3 weeks, snails and hermits, then 2-3 weeks later some 2 dotieback and algae eater, all fish juevinile, figured tank and fish could grow together. Things looked good so added scooter blennie and manderine(after copepods bloomed) Things were steady for a month, even lost a small fish while on vacation and tank consumed it without cycling. Figured I was ready for a bigger fish and a couple pieces of coral. Things thrived for a week. At the same time I added a couple rubber couplers at the bottom of my trickle towers to keep fish that got swept in current out of the plumbing. I was suspicious of this things, they smelled like tires, but store said they were safe for drinking water so I used them against my better judgement. Anyway, I had a few cycles during the initial phase, manageable with water changes. Now the tank is crashing big time, I've had to resort to ammoloc to save lives, and sresszyme and stability to try and recycle tank as after 2 weeks I still have Nh3/Nh4 readings off the chart(past 8 ppm) and Nh3 readings of .2 ppm dispite 30-50% water changes, and addition of exogenous bugs. I can't imagine the fish in there could be producing this much new ammonia and I stopped feeding...never did feed very much and there is a white film developing on everything. I pulled the rubber couplers(they still smell like tires) and I think I might be seeing pieces of them in my skimmer waste(tiny but the right color) I've pulled the corals and more expensive fish and put them in the predator tank. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to pull the rest and start over but what caused this? The rubber? I have spoken to 40 yr veterans and they are sure I'm not overstocked or overfeeding. It seems the biological filter is dead or extremely compromised. I did knock a couple crumbs from my cieling into it(minute particles of water base latex paint) Any body got an educated guess on the white film?

 

[Grant W]

Could we get a full set of testing results...... It would help figure this out and start running some carbon just in case the coupling have leached something nasty into the tank, but we need some test results. I mean the white stuff could be precipitants for all we know at this point

 

[jkcoon]

Do it... but take video, I think that would be awesome!!

 

[125G Reefer]

Ya gotta let the tank do its thing. Let the Ammo Trites and Trates do their thing. Everytime you add something to a new tank, you add POOP, and Ammo. If you have nothing dying, leave it alone. Everything in time. To much added to fast maybe, perhaps. But, let it runs its course. Gotta let the beneficials grow.

 

[disc1]

Can't say enough for patience. When you think the tank is ready for another fish, wait a couple of weeks anyway. Or get everything right now, the american way, and deal with these types of issues.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[studentdriver]

Can you elaborate on what's the "American Way"?

 

[ANGRY JOHN]

i think the refrence is to instant gratification. i heard a lot about this while living in england.

 

[redneckgearhead]

The smell of tires is just the smell of rubber. Did you wash the rubber couplers before putting them in the tank? It makes me think there was some release agent left over from the molding process on these couplers. But I cant imagine it wiping out your bio-filter. But it is possible. Carbon and water changes are going to be your best friend right now. good luck

 

[125G Reefer]

Can you elaborate on what's the "American Way"?

Can o worms my man, can o worms.

 

[Anemone]

Did you add "bigger fish?" If so, what were they?

What water are you using for evaporative make-up and water changes? Many municipalities add stuff to their water at various times of the year (anti-algals in spring and summer (often copper-based), but other things can be added throughout the year depending upon need).

What exactly is a "rubber coupler?" What is it normally used as/for? Depending upon their intended use, they could have any number of "additives," such as anit-mildew or anti-algae compounds that might not affect people, but could wipe-out some component of your tank.

The latex paint could also have an anti-mildew additive.

Oh, and the white coating? Probably bacterial growth on dead/decaying matter.

Kevin

 

[rocking]

there is 3 things i see with this !
moveing a little to fast . the paint and stuco from roof .
and the couple rubber couplers at the bottom of trickle towers
would u stick them in your mouth ?
remenber u have a liveing tank its just not liveing fish !
how are u cleaning the outside of your tank ?

 

[jdyer88]

lol...this was the op's only post and was more than a week ago....my guess is his rock is still curing...instant aquarium syndrome

 

[redneckgearhead]

lol...this was the op's only post and was more than a week ago....my guess is his rock is still curing...instant aquarium syndrome

Either that or he smashed it....

 

[Sarcothelia]

You can't rush into a tank. Adding too much too quick is never a good idea. Even in a large tank it's not a good idea to go full steams ahead after only 2 months or so.

 

[hollister]

Lets start from the setup.
Tank size?
All equipment used ?
Amount of LR?
DO you have a lid on the tank?

 

[125G Reefer]

Lets start from the setup.
Tank size? No MatterAll equipment used ? yup used, with Sledge Hammer Amount of LR? ones, Couple of softball sized that did the trickDO you have a lid on the tank?

:lolspin:

 

[Kerreefer]

i see this forum is slightly old but for that white film i bet 100% is from the sheetrock particles knocked into the tank. i drilled 2 holes above my 125 when i first started in this hobby and found out that was one Huge mistake lol...it was cheaper to drain the tank and redo everything than smash it and buy a new one though :thumbsup: