Too much?

[Fishkeeper44]

I currently have a 36 gallon reef with two toby puffers, two ocellaris clowns, and a leopard wrasse which only comes out for 3 hours a day ugh. Anyways could I add like a six spot or diamond goby and a sharknose goby? I'm getting a protein skimmer soon. Thanks.

 

[Hoopz87]

You have 5 fish and no skimmer? Hmm how's your levels? And how long have you had your leopard wrasse, perhaps he's not used to your lighting cycle yet. I had just recently got a leopard wrasse a few weeks ago and he used to only be out for a few hours and go to sleep under the sand at like 3pm Now he's out all day and goes to bed at like 11 So just give it time.

 

[Giovanni]

I would not put any more fish in that tank. Also your tank is to small for the Leopard Wrasse. Most likely it does not come out more because it is crowded.

 

[Fishkeeper44]

Ok.my levels are good.

 

[Hoopz87]

How old is your tank?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Good are not water parameters. What exactly are your parameter readings. We might see something that you don't.

 

[Shawn O]

Which species of Tobys do you have?

 

[Fishkeeper44]

How old is your tank?

2 years

 

[Fishkeeper44]

Good are not water parameters. What exactly are your parameter readings. We might see something that you don't.

Nitrate 25
Nitrite 0
Phosphate 7.8
Ammonia is high and I am working to get that down 0.5

 

[Fishkeeper44]

Which species of Tobys do you have?

Saddle valentini and white spot toby puffer.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Nitrate 25
Nitrite 0
Phosphate 7.8
Ammonia is high and I am working to get that down 0.5

This showing that you have ammonia is proof that you have too many fish now for the biologic filtration you currently have. This is fixable however.

What size is your tank and sump, how many lbs of live rock and sand do you have in both the DT and sump. We can start with these.

There are many other parameters that you didn't mention calc, mag and PH

So exactly how are you working to get the ammonia down? Can you share a picture of your DT with us? I'd like to see how it's setup with rock and how your powerheads are setup as well. A skimmer would help you greatly with this large bio load.

 

[Hoopz87]

You for sure want to invest in a skimmer, especially if you have a sump and can fit one. I just recently had a 29 with four fish and would not even debate running it skimmer-less. You can fix this issue pretty easy nonetheless. You need to get that ammonia gone though.

 

[Fishkeeper44]

This showing that you have ammonia is proof that you have too many fish now for the biologic filtration you currently have. This is fixable however.

What size is your tank and sump, how many lbs of live rock and sand do you have in both the DT and sump. We can start with these.

There are many other parameters that you didn't mention calc, mag and PH

So exactly how are you working to get the ammonia down? Can you share a picture of your DT with us? I'd like to see how it's setup with rock and how your powerheads are setup as well. A skimmer would help you greatly with this large bio load.

My tank is 36 gallons. I do not know how many lbs of live rock I have. I didn't get the other parameters tested so I am not sure. Unfortunately I cannot post pics but I am looking at a swc cone protein skimmer that is rated for 125 gallons for 100 dollars.

 

[Deinonych]

If your tank is 2 years old, you should not have any ammonia present, period. I agree with Dkuhlmann that your bioload exceeds the tank's ability to process nutrients. I would not only add a skimmer, but also consider adding more live rock if you can.

Also, a skimmer rated for 125 gallons is not appropriate for your tank.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

My tank is 36 gallons. I do not know how many lbs of live rock I have. I didn't get the other parameters tested so I am not sure. Unfortunately I cannot post pics but I am looking at a swc cone protein skimmer that is rated for 125 gallons for 100 dollars.

That skimmer is overkill for that size tank. Get something around 60gph

Why can't you post pictures? We need to see what your tank looks like as to how much rock is in there also do you have a sump and how much rock in it. The rock is your biological filter along with your sand. If you don't have enough you will be limited to how many fish you can have because you will have ammonia spikes. If your tank has enough lr to handle a few more fish great. Mine does.

Right now I can safely say your tank doesn't have the ability to process the bioload you are putting on it. You need to increase your rock, if you have a sump increase rock there also if you don't have a sump, GET ONE. Or bring half of those fish back to the lfs.

 

[Jwon]

Improve e filter

 

[jolson10]

Agree.....absolutely no ammonia.

 

[Fishkeeper44]

I don't know how to post pics. I have a 15 gallon sump with live rock and a filter sock. I am looking into protein skimmers. I just have to find one for a decent price.