Clownfish help please!

[2clockz]

This is my first small tank. It's a Mr Aqua 12 long. 36x8.5x9.5". Hang on back filter, 2 Koralias. LEDs.

My girlfriend overfed the tank by a ton when I was gone and I came home and my two clownfish are laying in the sand motionless and breathing very rapidly. I did a 50% waterchange. Added prime, and replaced all filter media (sponge, carbon, and purigen), even added more to my cleanup crew. It's been about a day now and no change in health. Should I do another water change or what? Help! Thanks

[CMD2213]

Thing about nano tanks are they can be easily impacted by the most minor of things. Do a thorough cleaning of possible detritus did you siphon the excess food?

[2clockz]

Yes I realize that now! And yes I signed/vacuumed out all excess food and anything that looked like it could cause nitrates or ammonia to rise.

Another question? Do I not have enough oxygen in my tank do u think? I have my hang on back with pours water in and also have the Koralias aimed closer to the stop to create more water movement/stir up.

[2clockz]

I was going to just build a refugium on it and not run a skimmer but if I have to I will

[acbaldwin]

Nice thing about picos/small nanos is that you can skip the skimmer and just do regular water changes to make up the difference.
Doublecheck your temperature, too, with this heat wave. If you're concerned about o2 then you can add a air diffuser to the HOB filter to oxygenate the water, but it's probably not necessary since the 12L has a lot of surface area relative to water volume. You could also just point your powerhead(s) at the surface of the water to increase o2 exchange.
I would also do another 50% water change, and check the specific gravity (just in case she was topping off evap with saltwater).

[acbaldwin]

BTW, I have a HOB DIY fuge (no pump) FS for $30 if you want it. I made it out of a skilter and instead of a pump I siphoned out of my skimmer to feed it.
Includes an LED light, a small scoop of sand from my fuge to seed your tank, and enough chaeto to fill it up.
It's 8 1/2" tall, tank needs to be at least 7" tall to fit.

[cyn]

no advice, but i'm so sorry that happened.
i had a LFS babysitting disaster myself.
i hope your clowns get better. =(

[jasonp87]

Did you check the ammonia levels? Also as mentioned, temperature can be a big problem with small tanks. I've been running around 82 in my 25 gallon the last week or so. A 12 gallon is going to take on the ambient temp pretty quick.

[CMD2213]

Frozen bottle of ro/di water help drop temp, fan, run the a/c various ways to drop temp if needed.

[2clockz]

Thanks guys. Yeah the AC is my place is always on (yes I know my bill is ridiculous but I can't stand the heat haha ) but the temp in my tank is usually around 79-80, I think I have caught it at 81 During the hottest part of the day but not usually). Like I said I really think it was the mass over feeding my girl did when I was gone all day, when I came home almost the entire sand bed had food all over it. I think I've done everything I can do. The larger clown is doing fine now but smaller still struggling in the corner I'll do another large water change tomorrow, add some prime, change my filter media again and hope for the best!

[acbaldwin]

almost the entire sand bed had food all over it.

Whoa... yeah, I'd do a 50% WC tomorrow and then another one the next day.

[Sancho]

How old is the tank? Has it fully cycled? The overfeeding may have triggered a secondary cycle. Most clownfish are very hardy. I have used them for years to cycle a tank. Yes That is not going to be popular here but it has worked for me. Clowns are prettier than Damsels, and Chromis. You need to test your water. Is this a fish only tank? Live rock? Just throwing new water in the tank and prime is not going to help if the tank has not gone through a proper cycle. Your fish are probably suffering from an ammonia spike. If your ammonia is high Let it cycle before doing a major water change. There is great debate on this subject. I would recommend small water changes to keep your ammonia in check, Until the cycle is complete than do a large water change after the cycle is done.

[2clockz]

Update. All fish are happy and active. The sick clown is actually more mobile today, still hanging near the bottom but actually eating now as well! Good news. I am soaking all good in garlic, focus, and metro. Will let the tank settle for the week and probably do a water change this weekend. Will be paying close attention to the temperature, salinity, and PH as well as ammonia

[cyn]

great news! hope conditions continue to improve
for tank and your clowns!

[2clockz]

Update! All ammonia is at zero, clown is active and swimming with it's partner and eating again. Thanks for all the help guys! Will post a thread of the tank soon!