HELP ... Levels to high

about 6-7 months i started it beginning of january as an upgread from my nano tank

 

I was gonna suggest Purigen! Steve stole my answer! Haha, but for real..that stuff is magic.

 

You are going through another cycle since you are showing a heavy concentration of nitrites. Either something in your tank died, or there is a big piece of decaying food somewhere.

 

I just found this thread and can promise that you are going to have these repeated issues. Your tank is grossly overstocked. Personally, I feel that you shouldn't have 1 tang in a 55 gallon tank much less 2 of them. They need a ton of oxygen and they get this oxygen by swimming at a fairly good rate of speed (that which can't be reached in such a small tank) and surface area which you don't have alot of. The need a ton of food in which you will not be able to supply and keep your nutrient levels down at the same time. There just isn't enough water volume for this. I have a hard time keeping my nutrient levels down with 200 gallons of water, huge skimmer and less total fish than you have. (I do have 3 tangs though) It's something you will have to deal with in the future so be prepared for it.

 

sorry to hijack for a second but Daniel you will hate me then I have 5 tangs in a 100 gal total water volume is about 150- 160 and they live great no ich and I have 2 that are real prone to get ICH pwd Blue and a regal. also have a naso which never had a issue in its life and a yellow and pwd brown.

but back on topic water changes are the key to this problem over over stocking

 

I don't hate you one bit, if you can successfully do it, then go for it. I do look at the fact that you are running ozone and 2 skimmers=oxygenated water which is one of the biggest keys to tang keeping

 

Canister filters suck for the reason that they hold nitrates (biological media). Your tank relies on your canister to clean the water. When you swap filter pads or remove the canister entirely, your going to see a cycle like what your experiencing. I would do a 35% water change....wait a day, then do another. Then GET SOME MORE LIVE ROCK. Yes I was yelling. Live rock will clean your tank. If you are going to continue using the canister, don't run filter pads, if yuo have your heart set on running them, change them every couple days so your system doesn't rely on them. You already have a decent skimmer that will export waste. That teamed up with liverock is all you need. GET SOME ROCK!