New Tank Concerns

[JayJay26]

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing a persistent bacterial bloom in my Redsea 75L nano reef tank and could use some advice. Here are the details of my setup and current situation:

• Tank Size: 75L nano reef
• Cycle Status: Cycle completed two weeks ago
• Livestock: Fish have been in the tank for two weeks (seem healthy and active apart from one), along with 2x peppermint shrimp, 2x hermit crabs, and 3x snails
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: Stable between 25-27°C (77-81°F)
  • Salinity: Stable at 1.024
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrites: 0 ppm
  • Nitrates: 20 ppm
  • pH: 8.2
• Equipment: Running a protein skimmer and ensuring plenty of surface agitation

Issue 1: Persistent Bacterial Bloom​

Despite good water parameters and stable conditions, the bacterial bloom hasn’t cleared up. The water remains cloudy, and this has been ongoing for over two weeks now. I’ve tried:

• Regular small water changes (10-15%)
• Avoiding overfeeding
• Ensuring all equipment is clean and functioning properly

The fish and other inhabitants don’t seem stressed, and oxygen levels appear fine due to surface agitation. I’m hesitant to do a large water change since I’ve read it could destabilize the tank further.

I’m wondering:

1. Is this normal for a newly cycled tank, and should I just wait it out?
2. Would adding a UV sterilizer help in this situation?
3. Are there any other steps I should take to clear the bloom?

Issue 2: Odd Behavior in One Fish​

I’m also concerned about one of my clownfish, which has been exhibiting unusual behavior:

• Breathing heavily
• Stayed in one spot for a few days but is now moving back up to the top near the pump (they have hosted this) to sleep
• Has not lost colour
• Was active for the first week
• Sometimes swims to other side of the tank for a short while
• Not stuck on the bottom of the tank
• Not gasping for air at surface
• Was eating initially but has stopped eating recently

The other clownfish appears perfectly fine and is showing no signs of stress. The affected fish’s behavior has gradually become more concerning, especially with the loss of appetite.

Could this be related to the bacterial bloom or something else? Should I isolate the affected fish or take other measures to address its condition?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Llyod276]

But how do you know she's a witch???

Cloudy water you say, can you pull some out and take it to a place where the light is not blue and measure it's whiteness against a piece of plain paper? That may help in the identification process. Also, is there an odor? Most bacteria stinks, ask me how I know...
Try running a carbon reactor. Also could be a new pump/filter break-in thing, too. Has any new equipment added or changed the setting of?

Could be brooklynella. Had that with a few clowns before I went clown free for 6 months. All of the affected clowns died in the end. Sucks.

 

[JayJay26]

But how do you know she's a witch???

Cloudy water you say, can you pull some out and take it to a place where the light is not blue and measure it's whiteness against a piece of plain paper? That may help in the identification process. Also, is there an odor? Most bacteria stinks, ask me how I know...
Try running a carbon reactor. Also could be a new pump/filter break-in thing, too. Has any new equipment added or changed the setting of?

Could be brooklynella. Had that with a few clowns before I went clown free for 6 months. All of the affected clowns died in the end. Sucks.

In this picture just imagine that cloudlyness circling around the tank. Its similar to the bacterial bloom that happened when cycling the tank, just not so bad.

There is a slight fishy smell when i put my nose to the surface of the water and near the rear filtration (though i think thats normal). I forgot to mention i am running half a bag of carbon, replaced it after a week with the 2nd half.

Not a single change in equipment or settings. I am running my skimmer and pulls whatever it can, although i am abit doubtful with the way the skimmer is performing.

Should i be taking this fish out of the tank? will the ick spread to the other clown? I dont have a QT setup

 

[phillyb614]

Are you sure it’s not an algae bloom? Which would be pretty normal for a new tank.

 

[JayJay26]

Are you sure it’s not an algae bloom? Which would be pretty normal for a new tank.

I do have my first diatom bloom on substrate and rock. How do i tell the diff between bacterial bloom and algae bloom? It has been cloudly for 2 weeks now (2 weeks after adding live stock) not getting any better or worst

PS. i do appreciate your insight in all of this. This is my first tank and first forum post

 

[Llyod276]

Here this guy was the first. Is it's starts looking like that it's a goner, most probly.
I've read the forums that said use formalin, and i tried it and no change. Just fast tracked it to death. Also gave them fresh water baths. Nothing helped but death. Same with a pair of black clowns I tried after, cause I didn't know what was happening. Thought it was tailrot/finrot. And maybe it was,

Killed a few other fish too. 2x pajama cardinals. And some others. But in the end, it went away. Hasn't been seen since.

 

[Llyod276]

As far what you should do. Def separate them, if you can. Otherwise, you have no choice but to ride it out. Can't remember all the deets, but look into brook, I do recall that clowns are stoopid susceptible to it.

 

[Llyod276]

Algea will turn the water yellow/green.
White cloudy in my exp is bacteria though only once and never again. High calcium/mineral content will do it too.

temporary occurrences if the sand is disturbed. So yeah maybe. But all bacteria will die off-plane out as available energy sources equal out.

 

[JayJay26]

Algea will turn the water yellow/green.
White cloudy in my exp is bacteria though only once and never again. High calcium/mineral content will do it too.

temporary occurrences if the sand is disturbed. So yeah maybe. But all bacteria will die off-plane out as available energy sources equal out.

Yeah i am thinking it is a bacterial bloom. I might wait it out and if it does not clear up in another week i will look into a UV or run a full bag of good quality carbon. Thanks for your help

 

[Llyod276]

Good luck!

 

[Fish Fan]

Here this guy was the first. Is it's starts looking like that it's a goner, most probly.
I've read the forums that said use formalin, and i tried it and no change. Just fast tracked it to death. Also gave them fresh water baths. Nothing helped but death. Same with a pair of black clowns I tried after, cause I didn't know what was happening. Thought it was tailrot/finrot. And maybe it was,

Killed a few other fish too. 2x pajama cardinals. And some others. But in the end, it went away. Hasn't been seen since.

Sorry about your losses.

Could I suggest to everyone that R2R has a group of members (not me) that are considered experts in fish disease and treatment. There's a subforum for fish disease, or you can add #fishmedic to your post to alert these members.

As far what you should do. Def separate them, if you can. Otherwise, you have no choice but to ride it out. Can't remember all the deets, but look into brook, I do recall that clowns are stoopid susceptible to it.

Yes, Brooklynella is something almost any fish can get, but Clownfish are particularly susceptible, and for this reason Brook is sometimes called Clownfish disease. I'm not an R2R "fish medic" expert, but in addition to the rapid breathing, the fish's skin may appear "flakey" or "mucusy".

Algea will turn the water yellow/green.
White cloudy in my exp is bacteria though only once and never again. High calcium/mineral content will do it too.

temporary occurrences if the sand is disturbed. So yeah maybe. But all bacteria will die off-plane out as available energy sources equal out.

Yes, typically an algae bloom in the water column will be noticeably greenish. Cloudy water is often from bacteria, and can happen at any time, certainly more than once over a tank's "life". A sand bed disturbance can cause cloudy water, but not likely for the length of time the OP is experiencing it. Microbubbles may also cause this.

Thank you for your replies and help here!

 

[Llyod276]

One last thing, I understand it's your first tank and all, but next time, go bigger, if you even think you can.

Compared to a 75g (200+Liter), everything smaller is just a headache. The parameters are stupid hard to keep on track. And water changes needs must be more frequent.
A 75g and larger gives you more flexibility and a buffer between great and crash, most of the time.
FWIW.

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing a persistent bacterial bloom in my Redsea 75L nano reef tank and could use some advice. Here are the details of my setup and current situation:

• Tank Size: 75L nano reef
• Cycle Status: Cycle completed two weeks ago
• Livestock: Fish have been in the tank for two weeks (seem healthy and active apart from one), along with 2x peppermint shrimp, 2x hermit crabs, and 3x snails
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: Stable between 25-27°C (77-81°F)
  • Salinity: Stable at 1.024
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrites: 0 ppm
  • Nitrates: 20 ppm
  • pH: 8.2
• Equipment: Running a protein skimmer and ensuring plenty of surface agitation

Issue 1: Persistent Bacterial Bloom​

Despite good water parameters and stable conditions, the bacterial bloom hasn’t cleared up. The water remains cloudy, and this has been ongoing for over two weeks now. I’ve tried:

• Regular small water changes (10-15%)
• Avoiding overfeeding
• Ensuring all equipment is clean and functioning properly

The fish and other inhabitants don’t seem stressed, and oxygen levels appear fine due to surface agitation. I’m hesitant to do a large water change since I’ve read it could destabilize the tank further.

I’m wondering:

1. Is this normal for a newly cycled tank, and should I just wait it out?
2. Would adding a UV sterilizer help in this situation?
3. Are there any other steps I should take to clear the bloom?

Issue 2: Odd Behavior in One Fish​

I’m also concerned about one of my clownfish, which has been exhibiting unusual behavior:

• Breathing heavily
• Stayed in one spot for a few days but is now moving back up to the top near the pump (they have hosted this) to sleep
• Has not lost colour
• Was active for the first week
• Sometimes swims to other side of the tank for a short while
• Not stuck on the bottom of the tank
• Not gasping for air at surface
• Was eating initially but has stopped eating recently

The other clownfish appears perfectly fine and is showing no signs of stress. The affected fish’s behavior has gradually become more concerning, especially with the loss of appetite.

Could this be related to the bacterial bloom or something else? Should I isolate the affected fish or take other measures to address its condition?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

When you say your cycle was completed two weeks ago, how did you cycle your tank exactly?

Doing a large (near 100%) water change is never a problem, in my very non-expert opinion. Try to mix the water in advance and ensure that the temp, salinity, and ideally alk and pH match that of your display tank.

 

[JayJay26]

Sorry about your losses.

Could I suggest to everyone that R2R has a group of members (not me) that are considered experts in fish disease and treatment. There's a subforum for fish disease, or you can add #fishmedic to your post to alert these members.


Yes, Brooklynella is something almost any fish can get, but Clownfish are particularly susceptible, and for this reason Brook is sometimes called Clownfish disease. I'm not an R2R "fish medic" expert, but in addition to the rapid breathing, the fish's skin may appear "flakey" or "mucusy".


Yes, typically an algae bloom in the water column will be noticeably greenish. Cloudy water is often from bacteria, and can happen at any time, certainly more than once over a tank's "life". A sand bed disturbance can cause cloudy water, but not likely for the length of time the OP is experiencing it. Microbubbles may also cause this.

Thank you for your replies and help here!

In saying all of that, Brooklynella normally will kill a clown in a matter of days if not hours based on the research i have done. My clown started showing symptoms 1 weeks ago and there is no mucus or anything abnormal on the sink.

 

[JayJay26]

When you say your cycle was completed two weeks ago, how did you cycle your tank exactly?

Doing a large (near 100%) water change is never a problem, in my very non-expert opinion. Try to mix the water in advance and ensure that the temp, salinity, and ideally alk and pH match that of your display tank.

I used Dr tims fishless method. Everything to a tee.

all the water is premixed salt water i got from LFS. I did 2x 50% water changes once the cycle was finished (was able to convert 2ppm ammonia into nitrates in 24 hours)

 

[Fish Fan]

In saying all of that, Brooklynella normally will kill a clown in a matter of days if not hours based on the research i have done. My clown started showing symptoms 1 weeks ago and there is no mucus or anything abnormal on the sink.

Yes, I'm hesitant to give a diagnosis because I'm not one of the site's Fish Medics, but aside for the reported rapid breathing, (which I've been told can be hard to (edit: I miss typed "assess" and the site "starred" me out lol!)), I don't see other obvious signs of Brook. But I encourage you to listen to those with the "Fish Medic" badge under their user name and differ to them.

The #fishmedics I mentioned earlier will alert some of the site's best, and if they can they will offer a diagnosis (if this is medical and not just a bacteria bloom).

 

[Fish Fan]

I used Dr tims fishless method. Everything to a tee.

all the water is premixed salt water i got from LFS. I did 2x 50% water changes once the cycle was finished (was able to convert 2ppm ammonia into nitrates in 24 hours)

I mean, this sounds like just some extra bacteria in your water. If those large water changes didn't do it, then something is "feeding" bacteria in your tank.

 

[JayJay26]

I mean, this sounds like just some extra bacteria in your water. If those large water changes didn't do it, then something is "feeding" bacteria in your tank.

hmmm, yeah but "what" is the question i am stumped on. I am VERY careful with what goes into the water or anything even near the tank

 

[Llyod276]

Well if its not you, then maybe the lfs. Do ypu watch them cook the water? Is it sterile/clean implements? Maybe review the method in which they make the water.

Sorry for the edit. Type faster than I think. Kinda like when I talk.

 

[JayJay26]

Well if its not you, then maybe the lfs. Do watch them cook the water? Is it sterile/clean implements? Maybe review the method in which the make the water.

They do shut the door to the back room after taking the buckets in there to fill up, not sure if they are proud of that back station or not. But the water they give me is from the same mixing vat that they use for all of their display tanks in the shop (not 100% certain on this) and they are all healthy looking....