sooo...i thought i was cycled...PLEASE HELP

romeo22

New member
here we go...i have had my little 3 gallon pico tank up and running for 2 weeks with just LR and LS.

before I went to the LFS i checked all parameters and had 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and a trace of Nitrates.

I picked up a cleaner shrimp, 3 blue legged hermits, and a baby perc (before you flame, I will be transferring him into my brother in laws 30 gallon reef when he moves in next month.)

Here's my problem...I think I'm going through another cycle. Once i put the clown in, he went right to a little cave, and has pretty much stayed there, aside from this morning when i fed him. and he did eat!

but throughout the day i've kept an eye on him, and noticed that he is sitting in this little cave, but he looks like he is swimming face first into the rock. something just doesn't look right.

i tested the water and found this:

pH 8.2
Ammonia 1.0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 0-5 ppm
1.025
78.4 F

Should I do a water change right now?
 
i just did a 25% wc, so hopefully that will help...
it almost looks like the clown is resting in the little cave...flapping his gills pretty quickly...i feel bad for the little guy....
 
A water change I don't think would hurt. The problem, at least IMO is you added to much bio load in a short time frame.
 
Ditto the bioload. You can do a succession of water changes a day apart. Try to keep it under control.
 
yup- nano tanks are tricky, only add one thing at a time. one shrimp, one snail, one crab, one fish...

it'll be ok with water changes.
 
The clownfish could just be stressed from the new environment. Do SMALL water changes so your salinity won't fluctuate which would stress it even more. Just keep an eye on it for a couple of days it will eventully stop hiding.
 
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