Help! I did something wrong!

FishNubbin · 10/01/2009, 09:47 PM

I know i will get flamed for this but..

I don't know what I was thinking but I added about half a cup of salt directly to the tank. now all my corals are closed up. i have some zoas, a frogspawn and a torch. all are closed up. the frogspawn is emitting this mucus strand and i fear for the worst..

did i just accidentally kill all my corals?

i also have 2 ocellaris and a diamond goby in the tank..

do you think i might have stressed them?

cindre2000 · 10/01/2009, 09:50 PM

Why did you add 1/2 a cup of salt and how big is your tank?

sohal1025 · 10/01/2009, 09:54 PM

It can burn the corals if its directly on it but maybe its more stressed than anything cause the salt disolves pretty quickly.

FishNubbin · 10/01/2009, 09:55 PM

tank is 29g cube... i wasnt thinking straight, i checked the salinity and it was a little low so i decided to add some salt.. didnt really think it through. can the frogspawn be saved or is it a goner? because if its a lost cause, i'd rather take it out now and not pollute the tank.

betamed · 10/01/2009, 10:08 PM

The corals should recover, but keep an eye on them.

cindre2000 · 10/01/2009, 10:11 PM

Check your salinity, if it is high, do a water change, otherwise time will tell. From now on, just top off with Saltwater when your salinity is low.

CyanoMagnet · 10/01/2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishNubbin

I know i will get flamed for this but..

I don't know what I was thinking but I added about half a cup of salt directly to the tank. now all my corals are closed up. i have some zoas, a frogspawn and a torch. all are closed up. the frogspawn is emitting this mucus strand and i fear for the worst..

did i just accidentally kill all my corals?

i also have 2 ocellaris and a diamond goby in the tank..

do you think i might have stressed them?

Yeah you cant do that. You may have killed some of your corals.

I accidentaly spilled some salt in tank onces, while cleaning and multitasking, destroyed a entire hammer colony

FishNubbin · 10/01/2009, 10:27 PM

one of the head seems deflated, while the other one is coming back out.

Ritten · 10/01/2009, 11:19 PM

They are hardier than you might think, I would give them a few days.

lordofthereef · 10/02/2009, 12:29 AM

Ao have you checked your salinity? How is it looking?

Macimage · 10/02/2009, 12:38 AM

Give them a few days.

Good luck!
Joyce

MeReefBeef · 10/02/2009, 07:10 AM

try drinking about a pint of saltwater, then you'll know what the corals are going through. then help the corals in the same way you help yourself.

KJAhp098 · 10/02/2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeReefBeef

try drinking about a pint of saltwater, then you'll know what the corals are going through. then help the corals in the same way you help yourself.

???

Anyways, you're not the first person to do this. My corals recovered just fine when my mom did this while she was watchin my tank. Just break off any pieces if they look like they are dying and toss em.

BeanMachine · 10/02/2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeReefBeef

try drinking about a pint of saltwater, then you'll know what the corals are going through. then help the corals in the same way you help yourself.

Are you kidding? What are you even talking about? This board is for advice for novices and experts alike... your not helping anybody so move on.

OP- Do a good sized water change (w/ RO and double check the salinity). Not much you can do after that. Just learn from your mistakes, that's what we all have done at some point in this hobby.

lilchris · 10/02/2009, 12:18 PM

Don't sweat it. Like you said they are recovering fine. Just check your salinity, if its to high, change out a few gallons with RO/DI water only.
The next time the salinity is a little low, do a water change and add an extra scoop of salt. Check the salinity. if salinity is still low do another wter change in a couple days. Repeat as necessary.

Don't listen to those negative comments.

MeReefBeef · 10/02/2009, 12:40 PM

I'll clarify before anyone else flames me:

In most multicellular organisms, the cell membrane is comprised of proteins and phospholipids that control the regulation of certain ions, namely: sodium, potassium, and fluorine. Even if you don't know what I'm talking about, we have all experienced this condition first-hand. For example, when you are dehydrated, at the cellular level, you are feeling a high concentration of these ions, thus you need water to dilute them. When you drink too much water, these ions become too diluted, the cells have no way to expel the water, and serious consequences can result, even conditions as extreme as death. Even in the marine biology hobby, organisms such as anemones and corals have cellular infrastructure that process these ions in much the same way as human beings do.

This guy rapidly dumped salt into his tank, which even if the concentrations were adjusted perfectly, can be very dangerous for the inhabitants of that tank. The problem is that by creating gradients of salt concentrations in your tank, the corals can be subjected to huge flushes of varying sodium concentrations. Human beings are subject to the same stresses although we have arguably much more control over our environment. Just as drinking too much saltwater can kill you, my suggestion earlier was that deregulation with drinking some freshwater will probably help. This is a serious issue, and I suggest you take this hobby a little more seriously. Think before you act.

JeF4y · 10/02/2009, 01:37 PM

Check the salinity
Increase the flow
Water change as necessary
Don't do it again...

Moral of the story, don't do anything fast or severe to a relatively stable tank.

bubbly · 10/02/2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeReefBeef

the corals can be subjected to huge flushes of varying sodium concentrations. Human beings are subject to the same stresses although we have arguably much more control over our environment. Just as drinking too much saltwater can kill you, my suggestion earlier was that deregulation with drinking some freshwater will probably help. This is a serious issue, and I suggest you take this hobby a little more seriously. Think before you act.

I think corals, not being able to move, have adapted to being able to withstand larger changes in salinity without too much of a problem.

In nature, salinity can change rapidly when, say, a coral is near the surface and it rains a lot, or a coral is exposed during low tide and the salt water starts drying on the surface. You can even freshwater dip zoas!

It's the simpler organisms like shrimp that have the ability to move that can't handle the osmotic stresses. I have a 32g Finnex M Tank that has one chamber where I dump the FW in, usually 1/2 gallon to a gallon at a time in a chamber that holds maybe a gallon or two. The feather dusters there aren't bothered much at all when a comparatively freezing torrent of cold water enters the chamber, and it happens pretty much daily.

The only thing that really hurts the corals is having the salt land directly on them -- that will burn them.

usefulidiot213 · 10/02/2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeF4y

Check the salinity
Increase the flow
Water change as necessary
Don't do it again...

Moral of the story, don't do anything fast or severe to a relatively stable tank.

+1 Just keep an eye on your salinity and increase flow. What is done is done, and you might have an issue with your fish burning their gills. Hopefully everything will recover with out any major issues.
Now you know what not to do..

. Future advise is to not let those prior D-bags discourage you from using this forum for advice. Before you make any sudden changes or actions. Take a moment to ask for advice. It will save you a lot of heart ache and a lot of money.

dc · 10/02/2009, 04:14 PM

Let's be clear here, if you can't be helpful then don't bother posting. This is not a request and several posts have been removed.

Since it's been a whole day, hopefully they've come out of it.

10/01/2009, 09:47 PM	#1
FishNubbin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 36	Help! I did something wrong! I know i will get flamed for this but.. I don't know what I was thinking but I added about half a cup of salt directly to the tank. now all my corals are closed up. i have some zoas, a frogspawn and a torch. all are closed up. the frogspawn is emitting this mucus strand and i fear for the worst.. did i just accidentally kill all my corals? i also have 2 ocellaris and a diamond goby in the tank.. do you think i might have stressed them?

10/01/2009, 09:54 PM	#3
sohal1025 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Elyria Ohio Posts: 1,737	It can burn the corals if its directly on it but maybe its more stressed than anything cause the salt disolves pretty quickly. __________________ THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!! ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank, Reef Radiance led lighting,20gal long sump,SuperReefOctopus,phosban reactor

10/02/2009, 04:14 PM	#20
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	Let's be clear here, if you can't be helpful then don't bother posting. This is not a request and several posts have been removed. Since it's been a whole day, hopefully they've come out of it. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

10/01/2009, 09:50 PM	#2
cindre2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 230	Why did you add 1/2 a cup of salt and how big is your tank?

10/01/2009, 09:55 PM	#4
FishNubbin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 36	tank is 29g cube... i wasnt thinking straight, i checked the salinity and it was a little low so i decided to add some salt.. didnt really think it through. can the frogspawn be saved or is it a goner? because if its a lost cause, i'd rather take it out now and not pollute the tank.

10/01/2009, 10:08 PM	#5
betamed Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cooper city fl Posts: 1,383	The corals should recover, but keep an eye on them.

10/01/2009, 10:11 PM	#6
cindre2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 230	Check your salinity, if it is high, do a water change, otherwise time will tell. From now on, just top off with Saltwater when your salinity is low.

10/01/2009, 10:27 PM	#8
FishNubbin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 36	one of the head seems deflated, while the other one is coming back out.

10/01/2009, 11:19 PM	#9
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	They are hardier than you might think, I would give them a few days.

10/02/2009, 12:29 AM	#10
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Ao have you checked your salinity? How is it looking?

10/02/2009, 12:38 AM	#11
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	Give them a few days. Good luck! Joyce

10/02/2009, 07:10 AM	#12
MeReefBeef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 74	try drinking about a pint of saltwater, then you'll know what the corals are going through. then help the corals in the same way you help yourself.

10/02/2009, 12:18 PM	#15
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	Don't sweat it. Like you said they are recovering fine. Just check your salinity, if its to high, change out a few gallons with RO/DI water only. The next time the salinity is a little low, do a water change and add an extra scoop of salt. Check the salinity. if salinity is still low do another wter change in a couple days. Repeat as necessary. Don't listen to those negative comments.

10/02/2009, 12:40 PM	#16
MeReefBeef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 74	I'll clarify before anyone else flames me: In most multicellular organisms, the cell membrane is comprised of proteins and phospholipids that control the regulation of certain ions, namely: sodium, potassium, and fluorine. Even if you don't know what I'm talking about, we have all experienced this condition first-hand. For example, when you are dehydrated, at the cellular level, you are feeling a high concentration of these ions, thus you need water to dilute them. When you drink too much water, these ions become too diluted, the cells have no way to expel the water, and serious consequences can result, even conditions as extreme as death. Even in the marine biology hobby, organisms such as anemones and corals have cellular infrastructure that process these ions in much the same way as human beings do. This guy rapidly dumped salt into his tank, which even if the concentrations were adjusted perfectly, can be very dangerous for the inhabitants of that tank. The problem is that by creating gradients of salt concentrations in your tank, the corals can be subjected to huge flushes of varying sodium concentrations. Human beings are subject to the same stresses although we have arguably much more control over our environment. Just as drinking too much saltwater can kill you, my suggestion earlier was that deregulation with drinking some freshwater will probably help. This is a serious issue, and I suggest you take this hobby a little more seriously. Think before you act.

10/02/2009, 01:37 PM	#17
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	Check the salinity Increase the flow Water change as necessary Don't do it again... Moral of the story, don't do anything fast or severe to a relatively stable tank.