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3K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Brooke 
#1 ·
Every day for the past week my tank has been getting more and more cloudy. I have a 5-6" DSB and a penguin 330 GPH filter running carbon (two cartriges). I am worried about the tank, the amonia is starting to creep up to - it was at .15 yesterday. I am looking at maybe getting a protein skimmer, will this help my problem, if so what kind is good? If not, what else should I look at?? I have changed the cartriges in the penguin. I have a Tang, a Foxface, a blue damsel, a clown, a cleaner shrimp, a fire shrimp and 4 mexican turbo snails in an 80 gallon tank
 
#2 ·
Woops,
Sounds like you have something decomposing. How long has this tank been set up? When did you add the last "thing" to the tank, and what was it. Are you feeding more than the tank can handle?
Believe it or not, it also sounds like you're right about at your limit for a 80gal too.
A skimmer would certainly help. You are going to need a way to export nutrients, and a lot of them (from the sound of things).

Since your ammonia levels are creeping up, I would start with a water change. See if you can board some of the fish out at the pet shop, if you need to. In the mean time, don't feed them for a couple of days and watch your ammonia and nitrites.

Someone else jump in here,
Jerel
 
#3 ·
Get a protein skimmer on that tank if you want to keep a high bioload! Aqua C has a very well respected hang-on model. Other lower price hang ons include the Prizm by Red Sea and the CPR BakPak R2. In the meantime, a water change should help. Keep an eye on your fish for scratching,e tc. you may want to get some garlic extract and add it to the food to prevent ich.

Brooke
 
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