Sudden Bacteria Bloom

[protokix22]

After reading around for quite awhile, I've come to the conclusion I'm going through a serious bacteria bloom. The water became extremely couldy last night in a manner of 1 or 2 hours. My fish all began to breath very heavily, and I immediately did a 50% change (on a 60 gallon tank I with a sump and a cannister). I triple checked all my parameters, and nothign was wrong. Ammonia was 0, Nitrite was 0, Nitrate's in the 20-30 range.

I had just added a hi-fin cardinal along with 3 snails, 6 hermit crabs, and a chocolate starfish. In the tank beforehand were two small ocellaris clownfish. I did the water change, checked the levels, and everything was fine. I was told by the guy who helped set up my tank that it would be good to put Nutrafin "cycle" in whenever I added new fish, so I did that.

Also, when the trouble started, I put my small aerater in the sump to hopefully add some oxygen. Any suggestions on what to do next?

 

[Strawman]

This happened to me recently and I put my protien skimmer back on and got it running and problem solved

 

[protokix22]

Yeah, I actually was told by the same guy that set up my tank not to get a protein skimmer, but I just ordered one yesterday because between this current issue, and the fact that everyone else tells me I need one, I think it's about time. The water has cleared up a decent amount, and the fish aren't breathing as heavily. It's still cloudy though, but I have my aerater running non-stop. I can't get my hifin cardinalfish to eat though, I hope he's not too stressed out.

 

[Strawman]

What are dudes credentials?

I looked up this nutrafin cycle product and though I am by no means and expert it isn't something I would have used to cycle or add my cycle. I believe a fishless cycle is the most humane and secondly most reliable way to get ur bacteria up to its correct lvls. Then add fish slowly at no more than two a month.

You don't need a protein skimmer, but u need something to removed your extra organics from the water. Also what is in ur sump? U may be able to remove the filter if u have a fuge in there

 

[David S]

With a 60g tank and a sump I would definately get a skimmer rated at at least 100g,When you buy fish you need to QT them if you can,if not feed them with food dipped in garlic.

 

[protokix22]

Thanks guys. I just ordered a protein skimmer, it should be here today hopefully. And the water is completely fine now. I didn't lose any fish, thank god. The tank seems to be doing just fine now. And David, I don't have a QT tank, so thanks for the advice about garlic. Now does that help with stress and possible illnesses?

 

[Strawman]

It has been said to boost the fish's immune system. I don't know of its documented but I do it.

Also other research states it is particularly effective with the dreaded ich. Supposedly the parasite just drops right off the fish after sufficient treatment