I think I am screwed - URGENT HELP PLEASE

[k2-]

I do see dino in the sand bed - and sand sifting gobi keep moving things around.

 

[Lavey29]

They tried three different kits and it was consistent. I would think that's proof enough. They may want to consult an expert, though.

To the OP: Did you happen to disturb a spot in the sandbed you haven't really kept clean?

3 different kits aren't going to give the exact same number. Hanna doesn't go that high and the other kits give a range not an exact number. He should have fish floating dead with that number and yet everything appears good in the tank.

 

[k2-]

If you want to salvage the monti, I'd try putting it somewhere it gets more flow and less light for now. I'm not really qualified to give advice about the corals, but...just a suggestion.

Yeah i will move most of my frags including monti to my 100G system. That seem to be doing fine.

 

[Eienna]

I do see dino in the sand bed - and sand sifting gobi keep moving things around.

Do you regularly siphon and/or stir up the sand bed, or do you leave it alone for the most part? If you don't clean it, it becomes a detritus sink that will cause issues when finally disturbed.

 

[k2-]

3 different kits aren't going to give the exact same number. Hanna doesn't go that high and the other kits give a range not an exact number. He should have fish floating dead with that number and yet everything appears good in the tank.

Alright Lavey - I said 3 different kits gave number above 200.

and thanks for dead fish question - i checked and thats not the case

 

[Eienna]

3 different kits aren't going to give the exact same number. Hanna doesn't go that high and the other kits give a range not an exact number. He should have fish floating dead with that number and yet everything appears good in the tank.

Ah, okay. Only tests I've ever used were Red Sea and I don't even remember their range XD thanks for the correction. In that case, I agree.

 

[k2-]

Ah, okay. Only tests I've ever used were Red Sea and I don't even remember their range XD thanks for the correction. In that case, I agree.

I was careful with the tests (and repeated each multiple times). Hanna HR could only give me result after 1:10 dilution which was 23.9

 

[Eienna]

I was careful with the tests (and repeated each multiple times). Hanna HR could only give me result after 1:10 dilution which was 23.9

Ah, right, you mentioned that. Sorry, my memory is crappy. XP

 

[k2-]

Do you regularly siphon and/or stir up the sand bed, or do you leave it alone for the most part? If you don't clean it, it becomes a detritus sink that will cause issues when finally disturbed.

I dont. However the areas where sand is disturbed are regular hang out for my sand sifting goby.

Last sand vaccuming i did was atleast a month ago.

 

[Eienna]

In any case, I do agree you should take the water to the LFS. That said, I really suspect the sandbed if you haven't siphoned it for a while. Personally, at this point, if I was in your shoes, I'd remove all the animals and give it a good cleaning. The goby will never get all the way to the bottom. He's a help, not a fix. After that, once you have it siphoned and the water all changed out, try to clean it a little at a time but regularly. It should be safe to put your animals back after you've done the big clean and changed enough water to get the numbers back down.

 

[Tamberav]

Can we get a picture of the tank and corals and such?

 

[Lavey29]

Alright Lavey - I said 3 different kits gave number above 200.

and thanks for dead fish question - i checked and thats not the case

If you truly believe your result then do 2 50% water changes over the next couple days to bring it back to normal then try to determine the source of the issue. If something big died in the tank you would have an ammonia spike before nitrates showed up.

 

[k2-]

Yeah - luckily got my 100G - i am going to test all params tomorrow and then move the livestock. Not sure if I can move fish but

 

[k2-]

Can we get a picture of the tank and corals and such?

Pictures attached.

 

[k2-]

If you truly believe your result then do 2 50% water changes over the next couple days to bring it back to normal then try to determine the source of the issue. If something big died in the tank you would have an ammonia spike before nitrates showed up.

Agreed, I am really not sure what the heck happened. in any case here is my plan of action :

1) Move live stock
2) Cleanup the sand bed
3) Have a large water change

Will keep everyone posted. Thanks for suggestions.

 

[srcleary]

This may be a dumb question but you said you dilute 10:1. Have you tested the water you are using to dilute it with to make sure no nitrates?

I personally use a refugium and/or a sulfur reactor and it has the nitrates well under control in all my heavy bio-load tanks.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

As @Lavey29 said no test goes that high. Hanna, Red Sea, Api etc so not sure where you came up with that number. No crab death caused it and i doubt there is anything wrong with with your salt mix.

 

[k2-]

Yes it’s 0 tds rodi

 

[CoralDanimal]

Corals - no sign of stress all fluffy - SPS extending their polyps and LPS are good too. / fish are good and no sign of stress - but failure is certain only a matter of time.

If corals and fish show no signs of stress, don't do anything big fast. The first thing I'd do is verify your nitrate levels with multiple test kits. If it is indeed as high as 200+, then to Eienna's point I'd slowly bring it down week by week. If everything is fine now, everything will be fine at 10% lower nitrates next week and the week after until the level is in a more normal range.
Most importantly - don't panic and don't do anything too fast.

 

[Eienna]

Agreed, I am really not sure what the heck happened. in any case here is my plan of action :

1) Move live stock
2) Cleanup the sand bed
3) Have a large water change

Will keep everyone posted. Thanks for suggestions.

Best of luck - let us know how it goes!