What could the problem be?

[uurt]

My flower pots and mushrooms were looking kind of "shriveled" so I tested the water. Nitrites had jumped to about .25ppm and Nitrates to a little more than 20ppm. I changed about 10% of the water and now the nitrites are 0ppm and nitrates less than 5ppm, however the flower pots and shrooms haven't come back. the pots have extended further tna they had been but not like they used to.
Any ideas are GREATLY appreciated
Thanks, Lee

[Reedman]

They are probably in shock. Most living things go from good to bad much faster that from bad to good.

Did you have some die-off in your tank that caused the small spike in nitrites and nitrates? Add something new recently?

If the flowerpot is showing signs of recovery I would expect you just need some patience. While waiting for the recovery I would try to track the source of the initial spike.

Good luck

[uurt]

I'm not sure if die off is the correct thought. I did have 3 pepps at one time. About a month ago I noticed that 1 had disappeared, no trace, nothing. The other nite, another one was there when the lights went out, the next morning, gone, again no trace, not even a stray antenna.
I haven't added anything to the tank (except of course food, but I have only been feeding every other day, and not much.) The caulerpa is doing well. There is enough that some always seems to be sexual, but there is more that isn't.
I'm hoping that as you said, it's just a bit of shock, or critters being more finnicky than usual.
I am watching and waiting. I have noticed that the goni's open most in the late am and early afternoon, and of course today I can't get home at lunch to look at them.
Maybe by the time I get home this evening, something will be better.

[R1Bill]

Lee,

Mushrooms vary in size greatly from day to day depending on water, feedings and probably mood Unfortunately Goni's don't often survive long in aquariums. Maybe it's on its way out. Often you see on at the LFS and it looks incredible. A few days later it's falling apart. Is there anyone on the board that has had one last a year or more???

Sorry,

Bill