Lost my fish

tapwater · 01/18/2009, 08:40 AM

Today I lost what fish I had left.I have snails,hermits,starfish,and a banded shrimp left in the tank (55gal).I have a FO tank with one rock that has a cluster of mushrooms on it.The only perameters that I check are PH-0,Nitrates-0,Amonia-0, and Nitrates-60.

I usually run two hang on filters and a small red sea skimmer.I took the skimmer out because the wooden air stone was all chewed up and I was looking to order more which I waited like a week.Next thing I know fish started dropping.I did get the skimmer back running but I think it was two late.I know i should get rid of the red sea and the hang on filters but thats what I can afford money wise right now

I am guessing that the skimmer being off for that long was toxic to the fish and by the time I got it running it had already done its damage.Now all my fish are dead.I lost two scoooter blennies,a red corsi wrasse,a tomato clown, a coral beauty,a domino damsel, and a striped damsel.They were not your real expensive fish but it is tough for me too figure out why they died?

Any thoughts of what might have happened please reply!

Thanks Lou

Michael · 01/18/2009, 08:58 AM

sounds like oxygen depletion, the skimmer was providing oxygen, try pointing a powerhead at the surface to remove unwanted gases and aid oxygen into the tank, and get the skimmer back on asap

gnorts · 01/18/2009, 09:01 AM

I don't have much experince salt water but i would have to agree with Michael. Highly experince in building and maintaining outdoor ponds. I would have to say the skimmer was providing oxygen for the tank that the hang on backs and provide. When turn off for a period of time they slowly began to die from my understanding? A slow one by one death is usually relate to oxygen deffinancy in ponds I can imagine it simialiar in saltwater?

discusone · 01/18/2009, 09:46 AM

Tapwater,
The responses are on the money,and add to that oxygen issue,removing the skimmer takes away the ability to remove toxins and pollutants.
If you did not do a number of water changes during that skimmerless time frame,what was being pulled out by the skimmer is left in the tank.Sorry about your fish losses,maybe time for a skimmer upgrade in the future,huh.

Playa-1 · 01/18/2009, 09:57 AM

A couple of things jump out at me.

I have a FO tank with one rock that has a cluster of mushrooms on it.The only perameters that I check are PH-0,Nitrates-0,Amonia-0, and Nitrates-60.
Salinity and Temp are important parameters that need to be monitored. Also PH-0 could be a problem ;D

I also agree with the idea of depleted o2 and poor gas exchange. The Protein Skimmer plays an important role in gas exchange and this time of the year we tend to close the house up tight which also contributes to the problem. Check out this article:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-08/eb/index.php

baldomero · 01/18/2009, 10:02 AM

sorry about your loss but if even the damsels died u have a serious problem

tapwater · 01/18/2009, 10:23 AM

Play-a that clownfish tank sounds exactly like mine to the tee.
The example with and without a skimmer is like night and day great diagram.I would have never realized that much oxygen is missed without a skimmer,I thought the pwerheads would be enough.I guess by the time I put that skimmer back on the damage was already done and the fish couldn't recoup.
WOW!Thanks

Lou

P.S. Time to save my pennies for a new skimmer any ideas on a skimmer thats not tooo expensive but gets the job done.Also one that could be a hang on or in sump.

Playa-1 · 01/18/2009, 11:10 AM

Glad we could help. I agree tapwater, when I saw that article it was a real eye opener on the importance of Protein Skimming and gas exchange.

I wouldn't know of a Protein Skimmer that fits that bill, but hopefully somebody can chime in and make some suggestions.

01/18/2009, 08:40 AM	#1
tapwater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: delaware Posts: 113	Lost my fish Today I lost what fish I had left.I have snails,hermits,starfish,and a banded shrimp left in the tank (55gal).I have a FO tank with one rock that has a cluster of mushrooms on it.The only perameters that I check are PH-0,Nitrates-0,Amonia-0, and Nitrates-60. I usually run two hang on filters and a small red sea skimmer.I took the skimmer out because the wooden air stone was all chewed up and I was looking to order more which I waited like a week.Next thing I know fish started dropping.I did get the skimmer back running but I think it was two late.I know i should get rid of the red sea and the hang on filters but thats what I can afford money wise right now I am guessing that the skimmer being off for that long was toxic to the fish and by the time I got it running it had already done its damage.Now all my fish are dead.I lost two scoooter blennies,a red corsi wrasse,a tomato clown, a coral beauty,a domino damsel, and a striped damsel.They were not your real expensive fish but it is tough for me too figure out why they died? Any thoughts of what might have happened please reply! Thanks Lou

01/18/2009, 08:58 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	sounds like oxygen depletion, the skimmer was providing oxygen, try pointing a powerhead at the surface to remove unwanted gases and aid oxygen into the tank, and get the skimmer back on asap __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

01/18/2009, 09:46 AM	#4
discusone Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: denver Posts: 318	Tapwater, The responses are on the money,and add to that oxygen issue,removing the skimmer takes away the ability to remove toxins and pollutants. If you did not do a number of water changes during that skimmerless time frame,what was being pulled out by the skimmer is left in the tank.Sorry about your fish losses,maybe time for a skimmer upgrade in the future,huh. __________________ Cant talk right now,busy force feeding my Ornate Butterfly-( just kidding!). Current Tank Info: sold it,but still hanging around

01/18/2009, 09:01 AM	#3
gnorts Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 308	I don't have much experince salt water but i would have to agree with Michael. Highly experince in building and maintaining outdoor ponds. I would have to say the skimmer was providing oxygen for the tank that the hang on backs and provide. When turn off for a period of time they slowly began to die from my understanding? A slow one by one death is usually relate to oxygen deffinancy in ponds I can imagine it simialiar in saltwater?

01/18/2009, 09:57 AM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	A couple of things jump out at me. I have a FO tank with one rock that has a cluster of mushrooms on it.The only perameters that I check are PH-0,Nitrates-0,Amonia-0, and Nitrates-60. Salinity and Temp are important parameters that need to be monitored. Also PH-0 could be a problem ;D I also agree with the idea of depleted o2 and poor gas exchange. The Protein Skimmer plays an important role in gas exchange and this time of the year we tend to close the house up tight which also contributes to the problem. Check out this article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-08/eb/index.php

01/18/2009, 10:02 AM	#6
baldomero Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: aguada,puerto rico Posts: 902	sorry about your loss but if even the damsels died u have a serious problem

01/18/2009, 10:23 AM	#7
tapwater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: delaware Posts: 113	Play-a that clownfish tank sounds exactly like mine to the tee. The example with and without a skimmer is like night and day great diagram.I would have never realized that much oxygen is missed without a skimmer,I thought the pwerheads would be enough.I guess by the time I put that skimmer back on the damage was already done and the fish couldn't recoup. WOW!Thanks Lou P.S. Time to save my pennies for a new skimmer any ideas on a skimmer thats not tooo expensive but gets the job done.Also one that could be a hang on or in sump.

01/18/2009, 11:10 AM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Glad we could help. I agree tapwater, when I saw that article it was a real eye opener on the importance of Protein Skimming and gas exchange. I wouldn't know of a Protein Skimmer that fits that bill, but hopefully somebody can chime in and make some suggestions.