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Unread 11/27/2013, 05:51 PM   #1
Coats
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Damsel help

I've had a 5.5g tank up and running for about 3 weeks now that I was going to use as a QT tank while I'm building my 20g nano tank. This past weekend I added a yellow tail damsel to the tank to hang out so by the time the 20g was ready to cycling I could just add him to the tank. The 5.5g parameters were pH: 8.2, 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrate, and 0ppm nitrite, with 1.025 salanity. The damsel ate well that night and swam around the tank just fine. The past day or two I haven't been able to get him to eat nor has he been moving around in the tank all that much. I checked the parameters this morning and got pH: 7.6, 0ppm ammonia, 0.25ppm nitrate, and 0ppm nitrite, with salanity of 1.026.

Assuming it is in fact the pH that is causing this problem, I have a few questions...

1. Could this in fact be the pH alone that is causing the fish not to have an appetite?

2. Would adding a pH buffer such as Kent Marine Superbuffer dKH help in decreasing massive fluctuation of pH? (I may or may not have added 1/4tspn already....)

3. I'm feeding him Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes from my LFS. Should I switch to something with garlic?

I do realize it may be somewhat humorous to ask for help on the "go-to" hardy fish, but I don't want this to be a reoccurring issue with future livestock..


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Unread 11/27/2013, 06:27 PM   #2
btmedic04
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the damnsel has probably increased CO2 in he tank, hence the drop in ph. get some more water movement at the water surface to help with oxygen exchange. also was this tank cycled before he was added?


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Unread 11/27/2013, 06:48 PM   #3
Coats
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Yeah for a few weeks.


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Unread 11/28/2013, 05:58 PM   #4
Sk8r
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That species can barely tolerate a 55 gallon tank and does better in 100 gallons. Trade him for a much more sedentary small fish.


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Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low.

Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.
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Unread 11/28/2013, 11:03 PM   #5
Mark9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sk8r View Post
That species can barely tolerate a 55 gallon tank and does better in 100 gallons. Trade him for a much more sedentary small fish.
That seems a tad high, liveaquaria says 30g.


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Unread 11/29/2013, 12:32 AM   #6
Sk8r
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Clowns do better in smaller spaces than most damsels do. While the yellowtail is a bit smaller than some, it's still not likely to do well in a 20. Most damsels spend most of their lives within 2 feet of home, and if you don't crowd him he may be ok, but they can get very cranky with neighbors if crowded. If he's your only fish, or the only one with tankmates like gobies or blennies that don't challenge him, he may be ok. The yellowtail is as aforesaid pretty laid back and smaller than most as an adult.


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Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low.

Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.
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