nemo addict

the above is true but for a 75g 3 is really to much ,, naso s dont really mix well with other tangs and as mentioned above that web site is really poor info, when reasearching look at several sites and take the majority advice ,,
X-Large/Around 5"-7" naso, this is more like medium, large 9-12 xtra large up to 20,,,,

About your nitrites/nitrates ,, how much movement do you have (power heads) :
move one if you have a couple very near the surface ,
remove under gravel filter
check and clean media in your filter,,
look for somthing dead

Now im going against other advice given about your uv filter ,, i would turn it on as it is good for preventing ICH and as you have 3 ich magnets in one tank i would keep on ,,,

as asked above do you have live rock if so how much if you have and have enough remove filters ,, do you have enough flow (power heads) if so live rock and a skimmeris all you should need for fitration, with a good flow
Hope this helps

cthoughts1

Thank you for your guys, especially cerianthus. I understand that if the tang gets to big I'll either have to rehouse it in a bigger tank or find someone to adopt it. I'm rather consciencious when it comes to fish keeping, so I try to do all my research prior to taking any next step. I messed up by getting the three tangs all at once. Anyhow, I did partial water changes (20%) the first three days I noticed the spike. The LFS told me to stop any more water changes and I have done so since Thursday. Should I continue? As far as live rock, I have about 20 pounds of it in there so far, I know I need at least another 60 pounds.

So I guess the next question is: continue with the water changes or let it run its course?

Also, I am looking into an additional filter. I understand wet/dry is the way to go. Anyone have any experience with the Eheim 2227/2229 wet/dry? I understand Eheim is supposed to be top of the line. Also the reason I am considering a cannister and not a sump is because of my fear that the return pump may stop working and that everything will overflow, etc, etc... (just have bad luck like that). Any other recommendations? I'm looking for pretty much the best stand alone filter for a 75 gallon saltwater tank.

Thanks for your help so far.. BTW the skimmer was put on last night after these posts and after I did more reading. Thanks!

cthoughts1

Hey Nemo addict,

Thanks for the advice. I have two powerheads, both hooked up to the undergravel filter, one on each rear corner of the tank. I use them primarily to circulate water. I have a third spare powerhead that I can hook up if needed, should I hook it up? Also any advice on a stand alone filter? (Even though I'd use it in conjunction with the filters I already have). Like I stated, I'm leaning a bit towards the Eheim 2227, any thoughts on that?

Thanks.

au01st

Properly set up plumbing will not overflow the sump, that is a myth. The overflow box has teeth, and the water will only drain to the level of the teeth. I won't go into detail, but there is a lot of simple physics/fluid mechanics of how/why overflow boxes work.

As for the tangs, that's too many. If you told the store you had a 75, and he told you 3 would be better than 2 (as opposed to what he should have said, 1 is better than 2), I would not go back there for anything.

You can find whatever you want on the internet, so just because you found a site that says one thing, you can't take it as the word of god, you need to investigate multiple sources and make the best decision for the fish, not necessarily what you like best.

cthoughts1

Au01st,

Thanks for the criticizm, I think it'll be obvious if the fish outgrows the tank, and when that time comes, like I stated before, I'll do right by the fish. Now any advice on the proper filtration system or on how to lower the Nitrites or Nitrates?

nemo addict

If sump setup properly then they wont over flow as syphone would be broke (if using a overflow box) and no more water would get to the sump ,, same with a durso,,

You can buy a sealed sump/filter box AQUA MEDIC BLUE REEF 1000 (google)
which are pretty expensive but are very good

nemo addict

Not always obvious google stunting of fish and it explains why the external fish stops growing in a small aquarium but the insides dont so normally ends up dying , google and it will explain in depth

Peterpiper

Hi, First thing I would do is throw the undergravel filters, they have no place in a marine aquarium, as all they do is pull and store all the rubbish into the sand/graval.
With all this "gunk" in the sand/graval its no wonder you are having issues.
The nitrites are there due to a increased bio load, so you need to do water changes to control them till your bio filter catches up.
The ntirates are controled by doing the required water changes.
You will nedd to test each week to see how much water needs to be changed.
Tangs.. ich magnets when stressed.. 3 in a 75...mmm.
How much LR is in the tank?

au01st

I don't think it will be obvious. If not provided adequate room, the fish's growth will be stunted, which can lead to a host of other problems. Your thread title states that you have problems with nitrites and nitrates, and the main reason why is because you have fish that should not be in that system.


Back to the overflow box, if set up properly, siphon is never lost, not even in a power outage. I can unplug my pump to do work in the sump, plug it back in, and everything starts running again. It's a controlled siphon, controlled by different levels of water in different containers. I can draw up some diagrams if anyone's interested.

cerianthus

Water changes should be performed according to nitrite level. if persist, continue small partials. If levels are droppping, no more!

As far as Eheim W/D, do not get it. It is top quality filter but it's just another canister w/ surging action becoming nitrate factory with all the matters decaying b/n maintenace.

Do not buy W/D either, rather invest in LR for that money.

Since your tank is not Reef Ready (no built in internal overflow), can buy two of Overflow Box set (try Manhattan Reef or Central Reef Classified for 2nd hand). Two Overflow to ensure in case one fails (air pockets buildup in u-tubes which will slow down the flow). DO DIY sump:
Goole for info and schematic dwgs or you can design your own once understand the mechanics behind it. Do little research and I'm sure that you being responsible and caring hobbyist you are, will go out of limb to give fish a optimal condition in captivity.

Simple glass tank and couple of plexi glass or glass partitions.

Can even incorp refuge with proper partitioning and lighting (30 Long can be utilized as sump /refuge/holding tank for new arrival).

One more thing, w/o starting a debate among our member, my thought on 3 small to med tangs for 75G is not too much. I've seen fish fare better in smaller tnak than in large tank. It all depends on individual hobbyist.
Personall have added and kept lot more than 3 tangs in 75G (starting w/ juv, like to see them grow, one of the reason why I'm into this hobby and plants).

20LB of LR for 75 G is not really that much. But do take precaution when adding new LR to tank w/ fish. Google for what to look out for.

I do not know why NO2 spiked, but adding 3 tangs should not have caused surging of NO2 if tank was well established. HAve added more than 3 in samller tank w/o problems but I had more LR in the tank. When I had few tanks going, my main bio-filter was LR. Some tanks w/ Sump (Reef Tanks) and some tanks w/o Mech/chemical filter but w/ protein skimmer and PHs for good circulation.
You might find this shocking but in late80 or early 90's, FiJi LR went as high as $23/lb and it was not readily available like these days.. It was pretty expensive hobby then and still is but not as bad as then.

Enough said, hope all goes well since you have and will be doing whatever that will be necessary to provide good home for your fish.

cthoughts1

Thanks for your help guys.. I was considering the Eheim 2227 as an addition to the eheim 2217, the berlin turbo skimmer, the turbo twist UV Sterilizer and the tetratec hangon I have. I use the powerheads on the undergravel filter more to provide water circulation in the tank than to actually filter. As far as the sump goes, I don't know too much about it and am a bit reluctant to have the water pouring into the open sump under the tank.. I know many people recommend it as the best way to go.. I'm not as experienced as I would like to be in terms of setting up a sump, or knowing what exactly is needed.. If anyone can point me in the right direction as to what would be optimal for my 75 gallon tank (ex. name and place online where I can get it, and just help me out in terms of what else I would need to properly set it up and get it running - I would be very appreciative) I'd definitely take a closer look at the sump option.. As far as the tangs are concerned (not to get into a debate on this), I, like cerianthus, enjoy watching the fish grow from small to a bit larger.. When I feel they've outgrown the tank I'll make sure to find a loving home for them.. Thanks for your help and input guys..