High nitrates...WTH

So here's the run down.

10 gallon (starting to be a reef, i guess. Very small 4 green polyps.)

2 ocellaris clowns ( yeah i know )
1 orange spot prawn goby
and 2 hermits CUC


S.G. 1.024
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
before water change Nitrate was 80-150
After 25% water change it's down to about 40-60

Should i be worried?

What led me to do an early water change was; My goby was at the surface which is not like him to do that. And my clowns were breathing a little fast.

Also cleaned the filter pads in tank water, siphoned out the food that was left over (oops)

I'll admit i do overfeed and i need to stop but my goby has a hard time getting to the food so i dump some more in until i see him get some.

A cock-tail of, Brine,Mysis,bloodworms and flake vitamins. Just a few pinches of each.

So... Since my levels went down with the water change would it be safe to perform another one, Say tomorrow?

Should i be worried about the health of the fish at the moment or can i relax since they are still alive and are showing their usual healthy behavior.

Sorry i know this is long as heck! But i just wanted to clear all of this up in one sitting, Thank you.

 

I wouldn't worry about your fish if they are breathing normally again. Its the feedings, if you cut them back as much as possible you should see some positive results. If the goby is having trouble because of the clowns it might be time to look for a different home for it. Thats up to you obviously

Anyways, I would do another 25% water change tomorrow and go from there.

 

How new is the tank? What sort of filtration do you have? Did you add everything at once?

Probably should do another water change. And I'd def stop the over feeding!

 

The tank is still in toddler stage.. Almost 6 weeks old. No i didn't add EVERYTHING at once.

Aqua clear 20. Plus Aqua clean 30 fuge mod.

The only thing i can think of that would add high nitrates would be the live rock that's in there that was recently ( a week ago) acid washed so now it's starting to cycle. Maybe i'll pull it out with the water change tomorrow and let it sit in a bucket and cure for awhile.

Tomorrow i'll go ahead and do another 25% change.

Actually now that i think of it, I'm 99.99% positive it's the rock that's causing this.

 

I meant the livestock. Buy 3 fish, drop in 3 fish

 

sorry, but highlighted bad ideas above.


Way too many fish, way too soon, 1 in a 10G would've been good for awhile, plus the Goby would benefit from a mature tank with pods growing. I'd consider taking him back and waiting a few months to add him back, but prob never, clowns are too much, too soon. you should've stuck with the CUC for now. You may as well get used to the WC's at that size tank, gonna be hard to keep stuff happy and alive.

Edit: a goby is fine.. some day, clowns not, and a 10G is fine for a reef, but not near the realm you're attempting, sorry, ya need to dial this thing back ASAP

 

Thanks for the concern, But i'm not interested.


6 weeks is too soon to add fish? Hmm.. Interesting 1 in 10 gallon? Are you high? My Aqua clear 30 fuge has pods/Chaeto growing like crazy that i JUST NOW like 2 minutes ago moved over from my 125 tank, They should be falling into the tank any day now.

Clowns too much for a 10... Ever seen someone keep a dog face in a 25 gallon? THAT'S TOO MUCH.

Again i appreciate your concern but your input is invalid in my case, Thanks!

P.S. Now i see why everyone leaves here and goes to Reefcentral.. RUDE

 

Lol no, they were bought seperately weeks apart.

 

Sorry that you feel that way, but I think your the only one being rude. You asked what would be causing the high nitrates and we offered advice. You dont have to follow it, do as you please, but 3 fish in a 10 gallon is too much. I have 3 in a 40 gallon and feel that its just right.

 

In my opinion the responses are tame.

Your stocking is inappropriate it is just that simple.

I am certain that if you post this thread on any other forum you will either get the same responses, much worse or no response at all.