Christmas Tragedy in My Tank

[lgerold]

I actually was referring to the corals when I wondered about setting up a temporary tank for them. Are more corals dying? I was thinking that it would be fairly easy to keep the healthiest corals alive in another tank, isolating them from the poisons in the water, from the other dying corals.

Just an idea...

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks, the tank is slightly cloudy still (since Saturday), but I think that is the bacteria bloom. So, for now just more water changes and no more additives. Yes, I will look into the RO units, I've just been very lucky until now I guess. I used one for a long time on my Discus, and I can't say I had any fun doing it. Hopefully they are much better now and easier to use.

I'm starting to think that the Amquel I used was out of date and didn't remove the chlorine - poof!

[bluespotjawfish]

As for the corals, I gave my daughter an extra Christmas present yesterday -- the remaining polyps from my tank. Her tank is now extra stuffed!

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

As for the corals, I gave my daughter an extra Christmas present yesterday -- the remaining polyps from my tank. Her tank is now extra stuffed!

nothing like a spare tank in time of need.Hopefully the tank will cycle quickly. Carbon can be rinsed every other day, then scrunch it up a bit to expose new surface area, at this point I would change it weekly for 2/3 weeks- overdoing carbon also isnt that good, if it was fresh it probably already removed the bad stuff, now its dealing with the die off.Steve

[PhilOlsen]

Are you using tap water??? Even with conditioners tap water is the worst thing you can use, also do you have a UV filter? If not adding one will prevent algae blooms as well as kill any waterbourne parasites. I had a similar issue several months ago, I added a Aqua UV steralizer and within 2 days the water was crystal clear and I no longer use any water unless it runs thru a RO/DI filter.

[bluespotjawfish]

I do have a UV Sterilizer and replaced the bulb about a month ago. Though tap water isn't good to use, I have always used it on my saltwater tank. I had RO when I had discus and hated it (left it at the old house when we moved). Now I'm pondering an new RO unit. Any recommendations? Skimmed through some postings and found the filter guy, awaiting their response to my e-mail. I'm not DIY savy, so something easy to figure out with all the necessary fittings to make it work. I did hook up the old one (but it was a very slow and painful install). It was under the sink and had the faucet too. It was always a hassle to use (it didn't have an auto shutoff valve, just ran the very slow dripping line into a garbage can that sat in the middle of my kitched until it was full (or til it flooded and we noticed it, because by then it was the next day). I now have an unused laundry room, and I assume I could hook it up to the cold water faucet and then drain waste water to where the washer would drain to. Would be nice if I didn't have to lug a garbage can around the house to change water though. Looks like I would have to run a line into the garage and then back into the house to get a line to connect into the room where my show tank is. I'd still end up with a garbage can in my living room for at least a day a week (water change day). Hum... Am I overthinking this?

[bluespotjawfish]

No measurable change in the tank this am, I am so impatient! Fish are still fine, except they think I am starving them. Maybe I am. They aren't used to that. Their daddy spoils them.

[sasquatch]

Still hanging in is a good sign. anything else spiked up since? Steve

[bluespotjawfish]

So hard to leave my tank at home today and get back to work. Tonight both ammonia and nitrites were higher than yesterday. Since I got home so late, it is hard for me to judge if the fish were stressing a bit or just getting ready for bed. This AM I lost my sea cucumber (who I forgot about) so that probably added to the load. The protein skimmer has slowed down a lot, and the socks are staying pretty clean. The tank also seems a bit clearer tonight. Crabs are still alive and very busy, along with at least 3 cleaner shrimp (who I also forgot to mention). Did another WC tonight. Oh, and BTY, The RO/DI unit is on order.

[sasquatch]

got to catch a break soon!, ride the tide were thinking of you. Steve

[bluespotjawfish]

Hi Steve, thanks for hanging in there with me. I have some quick questions...

Ammonia is high, but nitrite is less than it has been. I'm confused, I thought ammonia would start to come down before the nitrite did. Is this different because of the age of the tank and all the stuff dying off in it? Does this mean I have another nitrite spike I will need to deal with? Poor fishies. I suppose they are like my doggies though and will forgive me (if they live). I was surprised to see my anenome crab still alive and kicking this AM, so cute!

I have the RO unit on the way, NEW ASM G-2 skimmer as well (to catch even more exciting gunk!). Do I need to worry about the ph once I start using RO water? Tank is very stable right now at 8.0. Do I treat RO water only with salt mix, or add something else? Alk and Cal are both high (I've never had to add anything, except what I add through the water changes). I suppose I will need to do smaller water changes at first until I make sure it isn't changing something too fast. Anyway, the more I understand now the better I will handle it later, so any advice is helpful. Most of the threads seem to deal with how to cycle a new tank. With my tank fully stocked with fish, I assume I am not very normal. (Actually the hubby has been telling me that for years, so are my fish telling me that too?)

Last question, nitrates are always high in my tank (a gift from my tap water). I don't have algae, but I suppose once I get the tank cycled again it will come in like crazy. Right? I'm running carbon, and next week should have the RO unit so I won't be adding any more. Anything else I can do?

[lcstorc]

Once you get the ro unit I woud start making water for a major water change. In fact you may be able to buy some at the lfs fairly cheaply to start the process now. If it were my tank and going through a cycle while stocked the first priority would be to get the amm, trites, and trates diluted as quickly as possible.
I had this happen on a qt tank a while ago and actually got up to 50% water changes twice a day. Now that is pretty extreme, but a 25% or so water change now and another in a couple of days would be reasonable IMO.
Many times I hear the saying "dilution is the solution to polution" That is one of the benefits of large water changes. They dilute the amm, trites, trates etc. If you are using a good salt, it will add the trace elements etc back into the tank so all you have to worry about is letting the rock cycle and take over the filtration.

[sasquatch]

Bluespot, Lynn is correct (as always lol) where is your salinity now,the higher end of the safe zone the better to relieve some ammonia stress.The cycle should resolve soon as some of you bacteria is already established, how soon until its a "stable" tank again I hope somebody can answer so dont rush off to the lfs for new corals lol. guess your parameters will see saw for a while.
Did you order a ro unit or ro/di? it wont change your tap water ph, you might get a bloom(probably) but thats fixable. I really must commend your spirit thru this, its never fun but it happens Steve

[lcstorc]

Now you are really scaring me Steve. I am such a newbie at this myself I am certainly not always right. Fortunately I have had some good people here at RS to learn from so most of what I recommend is something they recommended for me or someone else. In other words. I am just a parrot for now. Someday I will truly understand this stuff. I swear I will. LOL
BTW My skimmer people get their new home on Sunday. I will have them report in once they have settled into their new home. They have lots of space to roam around in their new home that is for sure.

[sasquatch]

The beginning of most things learned is by repetition, thats why we answer posts, not to spout our incredible knowledge, but to have it reviewed , corrected and passed on ( much like history without the rewrites lol) the truly great thing about RS is nobody here corrects with a stick, when your wrong. Steve