I’m not sure it will hurt anything. You said you have a 20l for a sump? I’m wondering if that’s a little too small and you might not have enough bio room because of that?i would think after 9 months of running the tank should have cycled by now. That’s why I’m bringing that up. I’m not sure how to size a sump to the tank. However I’m not too sure it can be oversized. That’s why I have a 300g ish sump.but I think mind is a little overkill but it works for me. I’m no expert and I’m only limited to what I’ve seen and dealt with. I’m sure somebody else will chime in and help
Its rated for up to a 200 gallon tank.
Can you post some pics of your tank and set up?
Sure. Ill have to figure out how to post them. Ill do it before dinner time.
Having just read the entire post, you have received very good info on what to do to stop what is happening every time you place a new fish in your tank. There is nothing wrong with the sump size for your setup. You obviously have TOO Many fish in that size setup. You have gone over the balance mark of the bio-load and like many other tanks in this hobby, you have an ICH problem that lies dormant until you enter a new fish.
Suggestions, DO NOT buy any new fish. Changing water weekly will help to get your water parameters to a correct level. You stated that you have a 200 refugium. Did you mean a 200 sump. If it is possible, look into setting up a section in your current sump with some cheato to help with nitrate removal, or adding another tank setup as a refugium.
Just my :TWOCENTS
Good luck!!
Ive taken the pics 4 times in 4 different setting. the lowest to the highest. Every time i try n post a pic it keeps saying file too large
[quote=“jeff wernock, post:46, topic:6702”]
Ive taken the pics 4 times in 4 different setting. the lowest to the highest. Every time i try n post a pic it keeps saying file too large[/quote]
Open a photobucket account, it’s free. Once you have one, upload you picture(s), once uploaded click (copy) on the IMG code, and paste it into your reply.
[quote=“jeff wernock, post:48, topic:6702”]
http://m952.photobucket.com/albums/jeffwernock/
Tell me if this works please[/quote]
Isn’t there a link next to IMG? Just click on the link, it will automatically copy it. Go to your reply and just paste it in the reply.
No. I guess cause i use a phone and tablet and not a desk top?
I was at the end of my rope. i made a small batch of salterwater. Just about a gallon. Salinity was 1.025. Maybe a smidge higher. Tested it for ammonia and BAM !!! .25-.50. now im no rocket expert but that doesnt sound normal to me. The water tested zero ammonia before i add the salt. Thoughts???
What brand of salt and test kit are you using? how about container or your water source? trying to find a source of the ammonia. Salt shouldn’t have any type of ammonia in it.
I use red sea salt. Api test kids that expire in 2017. This isnt a whim. Its a fact that that salt is faulty. Base water tests zero. When i make my mix it goes to .50 to 1.00. Matt found another post lastnight after talking to him and the guy had the EXACT same issue
Sounds like you need to switch salt brands…
I would not worry about the salt mix, even with ammonia you are doing a 10 or 20% water change so it’s being diluted a lot, and it does not take much to break down ammonia, I think you really need to look at increasing surface area for biological filtration.
It really does sound like a lot of fish for that size tank, and you may very well still end up with dead fish even if you get your bio-load balanced as some of these fish mature they will want larger areas to call their own and will defend or fight for them to the extent of killing others.
Are you testing the base water with a freshwater or saltware ammonia test kit?
might not be a bad idea to being a sample of both “pre” and “post” salt water to your LFS to have them double check.
Its an api test kit. does fresh and salt. My readings are correct. Im waiting for red sea to call me back
What water are you using? RODI? If not is the ammonia in the source water?
I made 3 batches of test water. 2 with tap water that have zero ammonia and 1 with ro/di all 3 tests came up the exact same way