In need of a major overhaul
by
, 01-07-2010 at 12:27 AM (1920 Views)
So, I am trying to blog for the first time. My 4.5 year old 210 gallon tank isn't doing well. It had about 2 years in the middle when it really looked nice. I overstocked it. Didn't do my water changes as I should. In my defence I have been traveling hard-core for the last three years. As long as I kept up the water changes I could keep a over stocked tank and I didn't have any problems. As soon as I slacked off I got Ich and lost 5 fish. Corals were still ok though at that point. One of those fish I lost was so important to the ecology of my tank that since he has been gone things have never been the same. I got a replacement from a trusted source that is thriving...he doesn't like to eat what I want him too...yes a Copper Band. The stinker I got is healthy and gorgeous but doesn't like aiptaisia. The nerve of this stupid fish. I hate that little bastard...a lot. WTF...eat the aiptasia. Sorry for the break in sanity there. Anyway, I have virtually no cleaning crew left so I will need to choose a new one. I still have some hermits, but no snails since my old CBB liked to bite off their eyeballs. The new one doesn't eat anything but fish food, so no worries there. I haven't bought a cleaning crew in a few years. My fighting conch of 4 years died recently. I was sad . So I bet you are wondering what the tank parameters are...ME TOO! My test kits are all expired...Yup all of them. I do know that my nitrates are off the charts. I just happen to have a nitrate reactor from Finn's Reef just sitting around gathering dust. I am waiting for a new impeller, again, so that can put that to work and hopefully help that issue out. The fish are doing fine but my corals have been gradually getting crappier over the last year. I have moved many to my other tanks so that they didn't die. Some of my long time favorites are sucking hind t!t right now. My giant bubble is on the verge of death and my giant fox has receded. Much of the rampaging anthelia died...that is AWESOME! I do have some nice chalice that is just thriving. Aptasias are stinging the crap out of a lot of my coral so I am thinking about ordering 500 pepermint shrimp...jk...15 or so should help. I hope. Anyway, I have some time this month were I wont be traveling and I can dedicate some time to this tank. Please advise or follow along as you will. I am thinking of removing a lot of the rock and replacing the sand.
Current fish
Naso
Convict
Regal
Orange shouder
CBB
Blue Throat Trigger
Coral Beauty
2 Anthias
2 Chromis
3 Percula
2 Skunk Clowns
Whip fin wrasse
cleaner wrasse
4 cleaner shrimp
Misc crabs
Fish lost last Feb to ich/Coral were still fine then
2 anthias
midas blenny
1.7 year Achilles tang
2 year CBB
Potter Angel
I used to keep all my parameters pretty standard, but until I get new tests I won't be sure what is going on...
Lisa