Help

[blabadie]

Hello,

I recently went downstairs and the water at the top of my tank has ceased to move for the last 8 hours since I've been at work. So much junk has accumulated at the top of the tank. I really don't know what to do. I put an intake filter (it's meant for 10 gal) to move the water around and after 20 minutes a lot of the oil/junk has broken up. The tank smells awful, I will do a water change tonight if I have the time. I am really worried and no one has really told me what kind of surface skimmer/filter I should use. Do I need a filter?

Please help.

(Tank specs: 22 gal, FOWLR, 2x 200gph pump, 22+lbs of LR, heater, berlin air lift protein skimmer)

Please help!

 

[blabadie]

I think I know what might be causing my problem... I need to get rid of a fish... I have 1 clown, 1 fire fish, 1 six line, 1 scooter blenny in my 22... maybe too much, maybe... just maybe..

Brandon

 

[Mr.September15]

Well IME SW tanks should smell somewhat like the ocean. Well the good type of ocean not the nasty infested garbage ocean. You can try using a surface skimmer to take the crap off the top.

 

[SkiFletch]

Test your chemistry and make sure ammonia hasnt run rampant. Other than that, perform water changes, run carbon, and keep the surface broken up

 

[blabadie]

Do you think I have too many fish? Or will it work itself out?

 

[SkiFletch]

Its pushin the limits, but I'd consider that "doable"

 

[steelhealr]

Sorry Fletch..that tank is OVERSTOCKED. I'm not saying THAT is the problem, but, classic....too much, too fast. Too many people don't realize that a nano tank is a delicate thing. Scooter blennies don't do well in nano tank. They usually starve to death.

Beauty comes slowy, disaster comes quickly.

Check your stats. Do a water change.
SH

 

[SkiFletch]

You're prolly right SH, definitely about the scooter.

 

[blabadie]

I don't agree with the statement that I did anything too fast. I took my time like I was supposed to and added everything very slowly. I will be getting rid of my scooter blenny for sure. That I've decided. I changed the water and added an HOB to mix up the surface which is working really well. Everything has cleared itself up.

thanks

Brandon

 

[Mr.September15]

Yeah it sucks that scooters have a similar diet as a mandarin. Mine eats mysis/brine/krill so im hoping he wont starve to death.

 

[brittlestar]

Do you have any kind of filter? Do you have live rock? Get some activated carbon if you haven't got any and don't use things like sponges and bio balls, nitrate factories........ A surface skimmer may help, did your nano come with one? Mine did and its great it takes all that oily stuff off the top daily.

 

[gigmeyer]

I'm confused about the 'OVERSTOCKED' issue. From everything I've been reading, 4 fish in a tank this size is pushing the limits, but should be doable as Ski pointed out. Certainly, the scooter is a risky choice as providing enough live food in a tank this size is a problem. However, 4 fish in a 20+ gallon tank seems to be pretty common.

Can anyone clarify? Is it strictly the choice of the scooter?

I'm asking this question because my current plan is to work up to 4 fish in a 24g Nano. After 8+ weeks, I have a false percula and a PJ that are doing well. My hope is to eventually add a yellow clown goby and finally a sixline wrasse. Maybe I should consider trading the PJ for the Goby when I'm lucky enough to find one at the lfs.

Forgive me if this is a hijack, I see it as a valuable teaching/learning opportunity.

 

[blabadie]

It's ok- you used the word "hijack"

I have a HOB filter which cleared up the surface in no time (it pushes all of the junk down into my tank, which either gets pushed back into the filter intake or into my protein skimmer). It works very well. I am not using the sponge, just the carbon insert.

I don't think my problem was every from being Overstocked. I think that every time I would feed my tank, the powerheads would push around food debris and it would collect at the surface- well eventually it just got too much (I would even try to clean it with my net every day).

Thanks for all of the help.

Brandon

 

[gigmeyer]

Way to go on the HOB move It seems that water motion in these systems is as much an art as it is a science. No doubt surface skimming (or minimally disruption) is necessary as I notice the surface of my tank gets dirtier between water changes even though it is skimmed through fibre floss.

 

[steelhealr]

There are some very easy basics here that can keep nano reefers out of trouble. Whether or not you choose to believe it or want to get sensitive about it, is your choice. First off, I doubt the fish level has anything to do with the odor. Second, 20 gallons of SW IS NOT A DURABLE NOR STABLE SYSTEM. Although we are keeping them, and, getting better and better with them every year, these tanks are inherently UNSTABLE and require care and ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Many of us have luck...many of us start out doing well then get hit later. Bottom line....marine tanks do better with large water volumes. Nano tanks just DON'T behave the same as FW.

Clownfish: minimal tank size 20G's, size 3"
Firefish: minimal tank size 10G's, size 3"
Scooter blenny: minimal tank size, 30G's, size 5", rated difficult to keep
Sixline: minimal tank size 30Gs, size 3"

That's potential 14" of fish in a 22, one fish rated as difficult to keep potential to grow to 5" two that shouldn't be in a tank under 30G's.

Brandon...I'm sorry, but, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't point this out. The tank is overstocked with some fish that shouldn't be in a nano system.

All nano's should have a clean ocean seashore odor. Odor could also imply anaerobic conditions. How deep is your sandbed? SH