Something has gone wrong and I can't figure out what

Dude that sucks and I hope you get it figured out. I hate to see this happen to anyone. Good luck.

 

I read something about your tank last night that hit me this morning. You run a 3 inch sand bed. That is technically a DSB. Could it be eminating from there?

 

I have no idea. I guess its possible. And 3" is a guesstimate. I know it to be 50lbs. Never actually measured the average depth.

 

Just got word from my girlfriend: The Naso died

 

Well CRAP!

 

Why 3 inches of sand? I wouldn't have more than 1- 1/4 inches. Anything more and you can run into problems with toxic spots in the sand bed.

 

I was told at the time of setting up my tank to do at least a pound of sand per gallon or a little more. I did 50 pounds for the 40 gallons.

 

damn dude, thats shotty, sry to hear it.

well maybe your tank will settle a lil bit, with out the added load of the tang.

130ppm is a high nitrate jump and i cant think of anything that would be that potent to cause that high of a spike, even with a mini cycle from stirring the sand i dont think would cause that large of an increase.

at my tanks 4 month mark i added some really rotten florida rock, yuck i hate florida rock. and that only caused algae blooms and like 20 ppm nitrate for like 2-3 months. so it would have to be something potent to give you that kinda spike.

 

OK, Im an idiot. I just measured it and its around 1 1/2" - 1 3/4". I was looking at the sand line compared to the bottom of the tanks outside trim when I said 3".

Yea. I am leaning towards your and anothers comment about maybe some sort of chemical got into the tank. I dont know how, but its really weird. I dont think it was a cycle of sorts. I didnt note an ammonia increase, and only a small nitrite increase, then BOOM, massive amounts of nitrates. I know it should be much more stable without the largest fish. I am also still planning on returning both my damsel's. That will leave me with the 2 clowns and my little blennie. I am leaving it like that for a long time.

 

I got home and immediately re-tested. 1.026 SG, 79.6 temp, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and <5ppm nitrate (detectable levels, but less than the next step up from zero on the test kit). This is decent. All the fish remaining look very healthy. My torch looks a little stressed, but it does look better than yesterday. I feel like there is nothing more I can do but to wait it out. As mentioned above I am going to further lighten my livestock.
I have yet to test CA, DKH or MAG, but I will later tonight. Those have been the least of my concerns lately.