Critters are dieing and Polyps arn't looking very good

In answer to your question about carbon---I run carbon all the time. I think you should put it back, be sure to change it out with new about at lest every two weeks. I have two different carbon container and switch weeks.

 

carbon question

2 fish died today. I lost the gramma and one of the clowns. The pet shops would not take the anemone so i sent it to the porcelin arena to fight for its right to passage into the sea.

What is a good carbon system for a small tank/29g? using the cartridges would be to expensive to do for very long if i'm switching out every 2 weeks.

 

What should i do to clean them? ... seriously, My tap filter came today. Should i give them a bath, mix up aquarium water or keep it fresh? Is there a proper way?

Also, my clown died list night. I was watching him a few hours before. he had what looked like little black cuts and little bumps like sand stuck on him. Are those clues that could pinpoint the threat?

 

You can use media bags or I use clean nylon stockings---wash and cut into bags, put carbon in and rinse put in to filter in the water flow. It's cheap and it works. You can also use the old frames from the cartridges to make a new one--it's just a little more work.

 

I've never had Bio-balls before, but I just heard they aren't good, because they're nitrate factories. Maybe someone could help you with that.

 

This has always bothered me. We should never just "parrot" what we have heard. Statements that are unfounded, or at the least, not critiqued in depth, can mislead those of inexperience. The bio ball will only contribute to nitrate if they become laden with detritus. The same is true of rock rubble! No, one ever tells you that. Bio balls and/or rock rubble in the sump are both assets and good maintenance, no mater which you employ (I use both), is essential to exceptional water quality.
I mean no disrespect to Aqua or anyone else, I just get tired of misinformation being passed off as a fact.

 

Good point.

To Aqualung's Credit, He did say - "Maybe someone could help you with that".

...and you did. It's a great day on 3Reef.

 

I wasn't misimforming him bio balls are nitrate factories, and that's kind of their purpose, to create a breeding ground for nitrates. That's why you see reef-ready sumps without bio balls, CPR reef-ready skimmers, are without bioballs. I meant I wasn't sure on how he should clean them, because I've never had them before. So I don't want him to go and clean all of them, and have a castrophy on his hands thats all. That's what I meant anyways!

 

I'm just wondering that if anyone had actually reviewed the link I had posted to the thread the OP started the day before this one? Or checked outYes, cleaning bioballs and keeping carbon helps. But the fact is that this little 29 gallon biocube is just flat out WAY too overstocked, and all of those fish were added in like a one or two week period.
Nikon, your going to have to let the system catch up to itself. If no one will take any of the fish, then they will die off until the system gains its equal footing again. The big and frequent water changes are only going to prolong the event at this point.

 

reef balls

I understnad the tank needs to catch up. I'm now down to 3 fish, polyps and the cleanup crew. The skimmer came today, if nothing else i'm hopeing it airates the water better. I asked about cleaning the bio balls because there is a bunch of gunk in the back. It looks like sand particles stuck to the pump and the bio balls but it's not, it turns to dust when you touch it/more it.