Help!

[jupiter jones]

I just started an 85 gallon marine tank and I broke
all the rules. I took live sand and live rock plus
about 15 - 20 gallons of salt water and 12 fishes
(5 different species), hermit crabs, other crabs
and some snails from a beach about 2 hours drive from our place.(BTW, i live in the Philippines). I used salt
mix and tap water (dechlorinated) to fill up the tank.
After almost 2 weeks, the ammonia level is up
to about 4 mg/l, Nitrite 0.8 mg/l, Nitrate between
12.5 to 25. I have a protein skimmer and a power filter.
My sand bed is 4 to 6 inches deep mostly with
a few areas about 2 inches only. Whenever i try
to remove the foam from the power fliter, the water
becomes murky but with the foam, the water turns
clear. So I am now using the foam in the power filter.
I also use 30 watts actinic blue and 30 watts daylight
7 - 9 hours daily. Right now, the fishes seem ok but
I am concerned about the ammonia and nitrite levels.
Should I do 20% water change already? What other
suggestions do you have? help!

 

[wayne]

I'd start doing daily big (25% +) water changes before you get a complete wipeout.
Why break all the rules - they aren't there for no reason.

 

[jupiter jones]

I planned on doing a local tank with everything
from the beach but I can only bring 10-15 gallons
of sea water home because the stuff (sand, rocks,
water, fish etc.) were too heavy so i had no choice
but to add the salt mix water. I thought that the local
tank will not undergo cycling anymore. I was wrong!
partial water changes until when?

 

[zimmerlyct]

Until your tank is right, man.

 

[vrmmmpshhh]

water from the sea conatins plankton and they wont survive in a tank let alone one thats cycling, they have probably all died and are causing your spikes. 85 gallons is huge for just one filter, are you sure its not underfiltered.

 

[jupiter jones]

The power filter I bought has two motors but i am only
using one because i thought that if i use two there
might be too much water flow. I also thought that the
rocks and sand bed would provide additional filtration.
I would try using the other motor now. Thanks

 

[wayne]

The rocks and sand will provide filtration, though it may take a little while to catch up with the load. You can't have too much circulation