Problems in the 55g

**Tigerbarb** · 02-01-2010, 01:06 AM

I managed to cycle a 55g FOWLR, with live rock. Since all the parameters were fine after the ammonia spiked came and passed, we went and purchased some fish. So far, there are three blue green reef chromis in there, along with one yellowtail damsel. After several days, the nitrite went up to 0.1. Now, about two weeks later, it's up to 0.5. Earlier today, I noticed one of the chromis had a tan patch on its forehead. There is also a film of little particles floating around on the surface. We're really confused by this, as our fish surely couldn't have produced this much waste. Once again, I'm pretty sure that the live rock is seeded, and that the tank has been cycled. I'm going to do a 10 percent water change tomorrow.

**MCHRKiller** · 02-01-2010, 01:28 AM

Without a constant food source your LR's bacteria colony could have died out some so the addition of the 4 fish could have been more than it was capable of handling. Definatly do the WC, only I would probably bump it on up to 20% and see how it goes. You may want to invest in some form of surface prefilter for your skimmer to suck that off the top.

**Tigerbarb** · 02-01-2010, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

Without a constant food source your LR's bacteria colony could have died out some so the addition of the 4 fish could have been more than it was capable of handling. Definatly do the WC, only I would probably bump it on up to 20% and see how it goes. You may want to invest in some form of surface prefilter for your skimmer to suck that off the top.

Oh...so the live rock could have died? I will try doing two ten percent water changes and see if that helps.

**MCHRKiller** · 02-01-2010, 02:37 AM

Not really "died" but some of the bacteria colonies could have reduced when the rock cured before you added fish to compensate for the lack of food source.