High ammonia level

[oremug]

My tank has been running now for about 2 months, cycle went fine ammonia went to 0, nitrite 0, had a small amout of nitrate. 2 days ago ammonia spiked up to about 1.2, I tested the water when my percs were acting funny. I changed out about 20% water, ammonia went down, the next day I lost 1 perc. Again I checked ammonia and again it was up to 1.2, did the same thing, changed out water and next day lost another perc. What is going on!
I'm running carbon with my filter, and at the moment I'm not skimming but plan on getting a skimmer. I have noticed green and red turf algae growing on rocks. I just changed out about 50% water and right now my ammonia level is pretty close to 0. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for any advice

[oremug]

Originally Posted by oremug

My tank has been running now for about 2 months, cycle went fine ammonia went to 0, nitrite 0, had a small amout of nitrate. 2 days ago ammonia spiked up to about 1.2, I tested the water when my percs were acting funny. I changed out about 20% water, ammonia went down, the next day I lost 1 perc. Again I checked ammonia and again it was up to 1.2, did the same thing, changed out water and next day lost another perc. What is going on!
I'm running carbon with my filter, and at the moment I'm not skimming but plan on getting a skimmer. I have noticed green and red turf algae growing on rocks. I just changed out about 50% water and right now my ammonia level is pretty close to 0. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for any advice

Anybody?
I checked my ammonia level today its at .2 last night I changed out 50% water and put new carbon in and today my last clown and damsel seems to be ok, they just ate. Is it possible to go through a 2nd cycle?

[phoenixhieghts]

Maybe you put too much in at once for the bio load to handle - do you have live rock??
Also what are you using as a bio filter?
You could try buying some bacteria to help boost it all, there are also a lot of stuff you can buy for new tank syndrome - i dont know if it works to but i used something called bactinette - it's basically bacteria balls in a tub.
You could also get some polyfilters as these help.

Hey i've just looked at your stock list and you said your tank has been running for 2 months - i think you may have overstocked too quickly for the bio load - how are your Anemones doing?

[Tangster]

The tank was rushed to soon .. Thats why a 12 week cycle is better I have seen ammonia hit hard around the 10 week area I have it posted on this and several other site .. If you have a sump ? get a simple old air stone and strong air pump and add that and boil the water .. Air stones and pumps are a forgotten item into days Hight tech world . A skimmer is not the same thing..

[oremug]

Originally Posted by phoenixhieghts

Maybe you put too much in at once for the bio load to handle - do you have live rock??
Also what are you using as a bio filter?
You could try buying some bacteria to help boost it all, there are also a lot of stuff you can buy for new tank syndrome - i dont know if it works to but i used something called bactinette - it's basically bacteria balls in a tub.
You could also get some polyfilters as these help.

Hey i've just looked at your stock list and you said your tank has been running for 2 months - i think you may have overstocked too quickly for the bio load - how are your Anemones doing?

My anemones were doing fine untill the ammonia spiked, right now they are hiding but I can see them not shriveled up. I have alot of live rock with plenty of coraline on it and 2 bio-wheels that have been running probably over 2 months now. I do have some water repair stuff that the LFS gave me, its called "Colonize" any good?
I admit I probably overstocked too quickly when I saw the cycle was done or thought was done, I just don't want to lose anymore at this point.
Also , I do not have a sump or a skimmer.

[phoenixhieghts]

I dont have a skimmer - i dont think you need one if you have an ozonizer, just my personal opinoin tho.

I think you should take the Anemones back to the shop you bought them from - they wont survive an ammonia spike, well i dont think they will. I've never used colonize, but you have nothing to lose.

[Tangster]

Well buddy I really am not trying to sound rude so don't take it that way but here it is in a nut shell you already have screwed up and now are chasing your tail .. If you want to really fix the problem toss the anemones they are done and will not live a tint of ammonia they start to invert and ball up until they puke inside out and add more problems to you immediate problem.. Get them out and let the system just settle in only time will fix this problem about 4 weeks will be the amount of time needed.

Not sure what fish you have in there ? But they may make it also I think a skimmer is a must its not as efficient as a air stone and pump at injecting air to drive out the ammonia gasses But its better then nothing. . And a tank less then a yr old is never ready for a anemone period.. And everyone who gets anemones always feels the need to push food into them to see them eat. That also taxes a new system from waste . Now you can take what i said for what its worth its just free advice from many yrs of messing up and finding my problems.. Good luck

[oremug]

Originally Posted by Tangster

Well buddy I really am not trying to sound rude so don't take it that way but here it is in a nut shell you already have screwed up and now are chasing your tail .. If you want to really fix the problem toss the anemones they are done and will not live a tint of ammonia they start to invert and ball up until they puke inside out and add more problems to you immediate problem.. Get them out and let the system just settle in only time will fix this problem about 4 weeks will be the amount of time needed.

Not sure what fish you have in there ? But they may make it also I think a skimmer is a must its not as efficient as a air stone and pump at injecting air to drive out the ammonia gasses But its better then nothing. . And a tank less then a yr old is never ready for a anemone period.. And everyone who gets anemones always feels the need to push food into them to see them eat. That also taxes a new system from waste . Now you can take what i said for what its worth its just free advice from many yrs of messing up and finding my problems.. Good luck

Please don't worry about sounding rude at all. I need it straight up. All I have to work with is the so called expert at my LFS, we only have one down here. He sold me the anenomes knowing what I have. I'll get them out asap. I also just installed the air hose to my powerhead to add O2, he also told me not to hook that up because of salt spray, so I didn't.
I appreciate every bit of advice I can get from you guys.

[oremug]

Originally Posted by phoenixhieghts

I dont have a skimmer - i dont think you need one if you have an ozonizer, just my personal opinoin tho.

I think you should take the Anemones back to the shop you bought them from - they wont survive an ammonia spike, well i dont think they will. I've never used colonize, but you have nothing to lose.

I'm probably going to open a can of worms on this question but which is a better investment ans ozonizer or protein skimmer?

[Frizza]

I would go for a skimmer.