[Tangs Rule]

I noticed yesterday that the last two fish I purchased lasted about a week, and then died on me. They were not tough fish to take care of either (Mimic Tang and Saifin Tang.) They did not have bruises or anything, but they never started to eat either. I tested my water and noticed that their was a nitrite level. It wasn't high but it was present, which is why I think my new fish died. All my old fish are fine. How can I lower this nitrite level?
My tank is 150 gallons, I have about 40 lbs of liverock in there (should I add more liverock, if so how much at a time?) My fish are a 6 inch blonde naso tang, 6 inch vlamingi tang, 3 inch purple tang, 3 inch yellow tang, 1 percula clownfish, 3 damsels, 1 snowflake eel. All of those fish have been in the tank for at least 45 days now.

What can I do? Just wait it out? Do water changes? Add some type of buffer?

Thanks all.

[rlcline76]

I would start with the water change. Any idea why you all of a sudden have nitrites?

[pogodzib]

A water change would help, but you still need to figure out the source of the nitrite. No established tank should ever have any free ammonia or nitrites in it. Even less that ideal filtration systems should get the nitrite converted to nitrate quickly and keep nitrites at an undetectable level. What do you have for filtration on your system besides for the 40Lbs of LR? Your rock volume is very low. Typically 1-2Lbs/gal is recommended.

BTW - You should update your profile to show a tank size of 150 gal instead of 250 gal.

[rlcline76]

Have you been medicating the tank with "reef safe" meds lately...melafix, pimafix...? Something that might reduce the number of available bacteria necessary for denitrification?

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

A water change would help, but you still need to figure out the source of the nitrite. No established tank should ever have any free ammonia or nitrites in it. Even less that ideal filtration systems should get the nitrite converted to nitrate quickly and keep nitrites at an undetectable level. What do you have for filtration on your system besides for the 40Lbs of LR? Your rock volume is very low. Typically 1-2Lbs/gal is recommended.

BTW - You should update your profile to show a tank size of 150 gal instead of 250 gal.

I have 4 tanks, so my profile has the size of that particular tank.

I think the source of nitrite has come from a few dead fish. My eel captured one of my clownfish and dragged it into the overflow box. I just assumed he ate it until I realized what happen. Would that cause nitrite? My LFS thought that was the source. What else would cause the nitrite, overfeeding? My filtration is a wet/dry filter, I also have a UV sterilizer and a protein skimmer. How much live rock can I add at a time?

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by rlcline76

Have you been medicating the tank with "reef safe" meds lately...melafix, pimafix...? Something that might reduce the number of available bacteria necessary for denitrification?

I have not medicated my tank at all, should I?

[graveyardworm]

Sounds like between adding the two new fish, and the clown dying you had a small ammonia spike which led to the nitrite spike.

[rlcline76]

Noooooo!
Could be like graveyard said, new additions and one death.

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by graveyardworm

Sounds like between adding the two new fish, and the clown dying you had a small ammonia spike which led to the nitrite spike.

Should I just wait it out or is there something I can do?

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by graveyardworm

Sounds like between adding the two new fish, and the clown dying you had a small ammonia spike which led to the nitrite spike.

Originally Posted by rlcline76

Noooooo!
Could be like graveyard said, new additions and one death.

Well, my next addition is going to be a large angel, so I know I should wait to purchase one until my tank is ready. But in a 150 gallon tank, how much nitrite could one little clown fish cause? I realize there were new additions, but I believe the dead fish are probably worse than new additions.

[graveyardworm]

How long has the tank been set up? I'm assuming when you added the new fish you also began feeding more?

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by graveyardworm

How long has the tank been set up? I'm assuming when you added the new fish you also began feeding more?

The tank has been up and running for 4 months, fish have been in the tank for about 3 months. I really started feeding more when I purchased the Naso and Vlamingi tangs because of their size. Right now I feed an array of foods from spirulina, nori (green, red and brown), flake food, and frozen food. I have definitely cut back on my feedings lately.

[lynnvangsnes]

Yeah, add another 100lbs of LR minumum.

[CyberJester]

Overfeeding can cause a "Nitrite" spike!

The break down of the uneaten portions can cause Nitrite to start to occur.
Also the extra waste produced by the fish can cause a Nitrite spike to start to occur.

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by lynnvangsnes

Yeah, add another 100lbs of LR minumum.

Thanks, I have started to add LR slowly because I believe adding all 100 lbs at once would not be good for my fish or my levels. Am I correct?

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by CyberJester

Overfeeding can cause a "Nitrite" spike!

The break down of the uneaten portions can cause Nitrite to start to occur.
Also the extra waste produced by the fish can cause a Nitrite spike to start to occur.

The Nitrite seems to have slowly started to lower, but it's still there. Because I have tangs, I usually feed my fish pellets in the early evening, flakes around 9 pm and then algae sheets before I turn in for the night. Is that considered overfeeding? I guess I should do some constant water changes to get rid of the waste. My Vlamingi tang goes to the bathroom like a madman.

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by Tangs Rule

Thanks, I have started to add LR slowly because I believe adding all 100 lbs at once would not be good for my fish or my levels. Am I correct?

Depending on the type it wll cycle, it's a matter of adding it slowly and having a long mini cycle or adding it all at once and having a bigger cycle, or let it cycle in a bucket/bin and then add it...

[e_baer]

I would cycle it in a bucket then add it. That TO ME seems like the most logical thing to do.

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

Depending on the type it wll cycle, it's a matter of adding it slowly and having a long mini cycle or adding it all at once and having a bigger cycle, or let it cycle in a bucket/bin and then add it...

Thanks, the bucket is out of the question because I don't have one. I thought with fish in the tank it was a bad idea to add it all at once. I'm thinking of adding another 25 - 30 lbs this weekend and then another 25 - 30 next weekend. Hopefully that will help the cycle and lower the nitrites.

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by e_baer

I would cycle it in a bucket then add it. That TO ME seems like the most logical thing to do.

I don't have the means for the bucket, because I don't have a big bucket or powerheads or any of the other stuff I would need. Is that the correct way to do it?

[e_baer]

Well, since you plan on getting 25-30 lbs this seekend, what you can do is go to your local walmart or target and get a large plastic container for under 10$ and then you can also get a powerhead or 2 for pretty cheap.

[stephaniesquires]

I have (many) clear plastic 66 quart tubs from Target. Get them for around $5. You can fit a surprising amount of rock in them!! Add some saltwater a cheap powerhead and you're set up... Or, if you've got a bathtub you dont need to use for a couple weeks that works too, although the water drains from them (yes I've tried it!!)

[Jeremy0322]

Stephanie is truly a true reefbuilder after what i have seen. She has contemplated making her pool a reef tank and has used the bathtub for weeks to hold LR. My hat comes off to you Steph.

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by Jeremy0322

Stephanie is truly a true reefbuilder after what i have seen. She has contemplated making her pool a reef tank and has used the bathtub for weeks to hold LR. My hat comes off to you Steph.

A little insanity and lots of creativity and really annoying the people (or person) you live with from time to time are all a part of this hobby!! (and several bathrooms are helpful!)

[Tangs Rule]

Originally Posted by e_baer

Well, since you plan on getting 25-30 lbs this seekend, what you can do is go to your local walmart or target and get a large plastic container for under 10$ and then you can also get a powerhead or 2 for pretty cheap.

And that's all I need? I thought it was much tougher than that? Just fill the bucket, place the rock in, turn on the powerheads and let them sit. It's that easy?