Recovering from 2-1/2 week power outage

[zudnik]

Yowza. I had my return pump on but that was it since we were focused on heating the house and only have a small 750 watt generator. Anyway, during that time my temp dropped to 70 and of course all of my coral started to look super bad. We got our power back earlier this week and I finally tested my water tonight. Now I'm at:
PH: 7.5
Amonia: .50
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: about 60 because its between 40 and 80

What the heck? Tomorrow morning will do a 20% water change, the another 20% on Mon. Anything else I can do to get things under control and back within a safe zone?

 

[ajoe]

Yowza indeed. The heat back on and up to temp is the best thing. I might increase those water changes to 30-35% instead of 20% as ammonia is really your worst enemy at this time. No more than 35% however as too much swing in parameters can have an equally negative effect and those guys are already in shock. I would acclimate them back slowly to lighting as well. All and all that's first and foremost in my mind. Time will tell but as we have all witnessed some corals are far more resilient than others. Nothing surprises me anymore. Keep us posted. I think you will be surprised in the end.

 

[ramseynb]

You might buy some bacteria in a bottle like bio-spira to help too. Worst case, get some Prime or similar.

 

[zudnik]

You might buy some bacteria in a bottle like bio-spira to help too. Worst case, get some Prime or similar.

Thanks both. On the prime or other bacteria.... sorry, but why would I do that? My high nitrates and ammonia ... isn't that telling me I have way more than enough in there?

 

[ajoe]

zudnik i am not familiar with either product and have not used them so I can't comment anymore than to say they likely are some kind of neutralizer that locks in ammonia and other compounds. maybe ramseynb can share. I know prime is very very popular with starting tanks.

 

[ajoe]

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

 

[ajoe]

zudnik. how did the livestock make out since we last heard from you? Always helpful for fellow reefers to know what they might expect in a similar circumstance. Hoping to hear good things.

ajoe

 

[zudnik]

Everything is hanging in there except for my Duncan. Fish didn't seem to notice anything lol. My frogspawn isn't happy but is stable. My ammonia is back to 0 and my nitrates are headed there.