Starting fresh after terrible crash..need help

Jollyg97

Jollyg97

New member
Hey guys, I had a bad tank crash due to ammonia a couple a weeks ago and everything died so I am going to restart. My api ammonia tester was unreadable its so high so I am completely tearing it down. The new tank is a 20 high and I was wondering if I could use some of the old live rock in my tank. I will also be adding new live rock and sand of course.

My next question is that I'm getting a protein skimmer for this one actually to help make sure this tank works out. Should I run this during the cycle to break it in?

Also should I do any water changes during this cycle? I always get conflicting opinions.. :crazy1:
 
Tanks don't really crash because of ammonia. Like, something else happened. Ammonia is a result, not a cause. So you should be square on what not to do this time around. Do you have another thread where you got advice about your crash and someone suggested you tear down the tank?

I would hate for you to tear down your tank only to make the same mistake again, or for no reason at all.

EDIT: I just saw your other thread on the same question http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2570584
 
I know exactly what happened actually. I did WAY too many water changes because any problem resolution online is "water change" so thats what I did thinking it was the correct thing to do. Turns out that was the opposite of what I've should of done. On top of that I tried to run it with no skimmer. Then I went on vacation and my sitter over fed A TON, like it's ridiculous. I also thought tap water would be okay for the tank which of course is wrong of course. Just a bunch of terrible beginner mistakes made a giant storm of a problem. Everything died unfortunately, and its only a 10 gallon. So I'm doing things right this time and making sure of it with a 20 gallon nano reef. Protein skimmer coming tomorrow and I'm getting a bunch of ro/di water and salinity by aqua vitro salt.
 
Too much water change will do more harm WHEN not done properly. You need to ensure PH, salinity and temperature are close enough, if not equal to existing water in the tank. If your tap water contains chlorine, that will create problem as well, especially if water change is done in huge quantity. I would suggest you to invest in auto feeder as well to avoid over feeding.
 
The guy at the LFS said I basically restarted a cycle because I took out too much bacteria and then continued to not allow it to recycle because of how often I was doing water changes. I tested the tap water and the ammonia was 2.0ppm.
 
Jollyg97 said:
The guy at the LFS said I basically restarted a cycle because I took out too much bacteria and then continued to not allow it to recycle because of how often I was doing water changes. I tested the tap water and the ammonia was 2.0ppm.
Click to expand...

At that level, i'm sure everything will perished. I read somewhere ammonia level in aquarium should be less than 0.03mg/l (ppm). Might not be safe for human consumption as well :eek2:
 
"The USEPA recommends a limit of 0.02 ppm as NH3 in freshwater or marine environments"

That was 10 times higher. You definitely need RO/DI unit in my opinion.
 
I think I got a lucky break on starting up a new tank. A guy is selling live rock in a bucket with light and powerhead because he just downgraded his tank for 2.50 a pound. 2 years old and relatively hitchhicker free. (He say none at all but thats unheard of). Nice coraline on it too
 
Jollyg97 said:
Sorry sorry, meant .20 which still isnt too good for sw fish and coral
Click to expand...

That much ammonia is bad, but the chemicals that are added to or come with the tap water can do a number on your bacteria. Either way, it sounds like you're on the right track.

The main reason that you might consider replacing the live rock and sand is the possibility that it absorbed copper from your tap water, as copper is toxic to inverts, including coral. It sounds like you really want a fresh start, so if money isn't an issue you can replace it. If you are willing to take some risk, then there are products that claim to remove copper out of sand and rock you can take a chance with.

The value of used live rock depends on the tank it comes from. For example, if his rocks have copper, they're no better than the ones you've got. Coraline grows well in stable and proper conditions. It will take off when you achieve them, and die right quick if you don't. IMO it isn't a reason to pick one batch of rock over any other, since the little bit that a snail carries in on its shell can seed the whole tank in a few weeks with the right light and parameters. Just for comparison sake, reefcleaners.org sells great clean dry rock for $2 a pound with free shipping. That's a full fresh start with no baggage. But for some people the hitchikers aren't baggage, they're a bonus. Live rock that has already grown a bunch of bacteria and sponges and critters can really jumpstart your tank, but again, it's a risk.

PS if you're thinking of buying rodi from an lfs you really really need your own tds meter. They are notorious for selling bad water. IMO you're better off with distilled from Walmart. You don't need fancy salt either. Aquavitro is nice but instant ocean is fine in the beginning. Salt brand won't make or break your tank
 
The live rock I am getting if from just a local guy who had an established 200 gallon reef and just isn't into it anymore. The rock was in the reef tank for 2 years.
 
Hi there....I agree with what the others said....but if it were me...I would start completely fresh in the new tank. New live rock..sand etc. I wouldn't bring anything at all over from your old tank. Just my humble opinion.
 
Thats exactly what I am gonna do. However there is a guy with really established live rock for a good price (2 years old and healthy) I'm wondering how long my cycle will probably be of if I am even gonna get one with rock that cured
 
You can use bacteria in a bottle to induced cycling faster. When i started, i didn't use any ammonia source as my rock is dying due to being out of the water for several hours. It's a live rock but due to die off it emits slight rotting smell. Dumped in a few vial of bacteria and let nature handle the rest.
 
Definitely if the live rock does have the bacteria needed. Live rock in a bucket needs feeding too. If the guy ghost feeding the live rock than it should.
 
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