Something wrong with my tank!!! Help!!

swivel · 01/24/2008, 07:22 PM

i just had a blastomussa that died today and it was fine this morning i had this for about 3 weeks now and it was doing fine. i alsot had about 3 fish that died, 1 sea urchin, and my snail just died this morning. ive tested my water and also brought my water to the LFS to get it tested and everything seems to be ok? and im tryin to get an answer to why everything is dying? right now i have a frogspawn, duncan and a sea fan in there that seems to be doing ok. why is everything dying?!?!??!

bertoni · 01/24/2008, 07:28 PM

All those animals died today? That's a lot to lose in such a short time. What are the actual water parameters, and what was tested?

swivel · 01/24/2008, 07:29 PM

actually today just my snail and blasto seems to be dead everything else seems fine but they were all good just this morning and it died after i came home from school and i dont know why? my ammonia is at 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, kh 8.5, ph 7.8

swivel · 01/24/2008, 07:30 PM

like im not sure if my blasto is dead but i have a feel its seems to be losing its colors. the center is suppose to be bright green but when i got home from school the green is gone and its become and dark color

Gary Majchrzak · 01/24/2008, 07:34 PM

what brand test kits are you using?
How about posting some basic parameters like specific gravity and temperature.
Is this all happening in a 12 gallon aquarium? How long have you had the aquarium running and what's your longest lived animal?

swivel · 01/24/2008, 07:45 PM

the brand im using is API test kits i think my LFS is using the same. yes this is all happening in my 12 gallon, its been up for like 2 and half months, my longest lived animal my duncan its been in there like maybe 2 weeks after i set up my tank. and my damsel lived for bout 2 months but it also died. everything started dying after my clownfish died could that have caused something?

Gary Majchrzak · 01/24/2008, 07:53 PM

what is your SG and how do you measure it?

aaron7405 · 01/24/2008, 08:00 PM

your PH is kind of low, if the PH your invertebres are realy sensitive to PH changes

bertoni · 01/24/2008, 08:01 PM

The clownfish death might have caused an ammonia spike that cause a number of problems, but there's a lot of possibilities.

Gary Majchrzak · 01/24/2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
what is your SG and how do you measure it?

SG is specific gravity. It should ideally be between 1.024-1.026

Quote:

Originally posted by aaron7405
your PH is kind of low, if the PH your invertebres are realy sensitive to PH changes

something killed fishes here and it wasn't pH.

something serious is amiss. How/what do you use to replace evaporated water? What temp is the aquarium at?
Are you using any additives or meds?

stevelkaneval · 01/24/2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

my damsel lived for bout 2 months but it also died.

wow. ive had a damsel live in a 5 gallon bucket with no heater or powerhead under an open window during fall in wisconsin for 3 days. the water was 52 deg when i put him directly into 78 deg water and hes still alive over a year later.

ihopss · 01/24/2008, 08:44 PM

Could it be that somone spilled somthing in there,that you can not test for(do a large water change).

weaver5 · 01/24/2008, 08:56 PM

I was wondering about lighting. I know it would not of killed the fish but if the blasto is losing color I might suspect not enough light.I am just giving my opion for what it is worth keep in mind some of the ones that answered already know way more than I will ever know. Have you ever treated for anything with copper?.good luck and I hope you figure it out soon
Scott

Demonic · 01/24/2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swivel
the brand im using is API test kits i think my LFS is using the same. yes this is all happening in my 12 gallon, its been up for like 2 and half months, my longest lived animal my duncan its been in there like maybe 2 weeks after i set up my tank. and my damsel lived for bout 2 months but it also died. everything started dying after my clownfish died could that have caused something?

You know I have never actually heard of a damsel dieing. I wanted mine to die, just never happened. You have definitely got some problems if the evil monster(damsel) dies.

ob1thx1138 · 01/24/2008, 10:28 PM

I suggest a large water change with good water very close to the temperature of the tank.

Personally I would do at least a 50% change, but I know some people are afraid to do changes that large.... to be honest though....you are already looking at a total loss so now is the time to take extreme messures. To be totally honest I would do a 50% change tonight and then another one in the morning.... just make sure that water temp is right

Aquarist007 · 01/24/2008, 10:39 PM

what did you do with the fish that died--did you take them out of your tank?

Do you have any live rock in your tank for biological filtration

Do you have a power head for circulation

kaledrina · 01/24/2008, 10:45 PM

Did anybody clean the glass w/ Windex or something? Carpet cleaning, Febreez? Lysol? Someone cleaning the kitchen and poke Fluffy the fish? That's the first thing that comes to mind for me.

stevelkaneval · 01/24/2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Did anybody clean the glass w/ Windex or something? Carpet cleaning, Febreez? Lysol?

good point, i had a tank go south do to febreez. only the fish died not a single coral. i had to completly take down my system and start over. i still used the lr. but i took everything apart and rinsed it.

swivel · 01/24/2008, 11:00 PM

no there was no water spill or anything i just come home from work or school and something just died. well now that i just got back home from school the blasto is not dead but its losing its color thats wierd to me? when my fishes dies i take them out and flush them.

swivel · 01/24/2008, 11:09 PM

well there is also something in there that ive notice. it looks like a slug that has 2 very long antennas. but ive asked my ppl at my LFS and he said its nothing serious. could that have caused something too? and when i just got home i also saw a centipede lookin like worm in there also are those bad?!?!?!

stevelkaneval · 01/24/2008, 11:50 PM

we need pics there are only a thousand different worms and centipede lookin things.

jafish26 · 01/25/2008, 01:28 AM

what kinda sand do you have in your tank i ask cuz i had the same problem for over 6 months finally found out the person i bought my tank from had bagged sand in the tank and it build up selici (spelling) changed it out for live sand glad i did lost over 400 dollars worth of fish

usmc121581 · 01/25/2008, 07:07 AM

Silica wouldnt have done this. The worst it would have done is caused an algea out break. It has to be move then that. I just went though the same thing. I had somewere between 12-15 fish now done to 5. But I also moved my tank to the new house and ended up not saving enough water so basically it seems like my tank is cycling again like its new. Have you done any major changes to your setup?

ob1thx1138 · 01/25/2008, 11:18 AM

Changing water will not cause a new cycle..... unless you used chlorinated water and that killed all the bacteria in the live rock.

kaledrina · 01/25/2008, 11:45 AM

You live alone? Mom's are notorious for cleaning w/o regard to what's around them.. I've heard all sorts of stories of do-gooder mom's and dad's that stick their hands in the tank for any reason w/o remembering to wash their hands off first. All sorts of nonsense can arise that way.

I think the best way we can help you is if you list, in detail, everything about your tank setup. Did you have a boxfish, an unknown cucumber, new coral, etc etc...

01/24/2008, 07:22 PM	#1
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	Something wrong with my tank!!! Help!! i just had a blastomussa that died today and it was fine this morning i had this for about 3 weeks now and it was doing fine. i alsot had about 3 fish that died, 1 sea urchin, and my snail just died this morning. ive tested my water and also brought my water to the LFS to get it tested and everything seems to be ok? and im tryin to get an answer to why everything is dying? right now i have a frogspawn, duncan and a sea fan in there that seems to be doing ok. why is everything dying?!?!??!

01/24/2008, 07:28 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	All those animals died today? That's a lot to lose in such a short time. What are the actual water parameters, and what was tested? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/24/2008, 07:34 PM	#5
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	what brand test kits are you using? How about posting some basic parameters like specific gravity and temperature. Is this all happening in a 12 gallon aquarium? How long have you had the aquarium running and what's your longest lived animal? __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

01/24/2008, 07:53 PM	#7
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	what is your SG and how do you measure it? __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

01/24/2008, 08:00 PM	#8
aaron7405 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson & Hermosillo Mexico Posts: 780	your PH is kind of low, if the PH your invertebres are realy sensitive to PH changes __________________ I would like to find this book "Wife & Marine Aquarium: simple guide how to get each other along" Current Tank Info: In process SPS dominant Solana XL67

01/24/2008, 07:29 PM	#3
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	actually today just my snail and blasto seems to be dead everything else seems fine but they were all good just this morning and it died after i came home from school and i dont know why? my ammonia is at 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, kh 8.5, ph 7.8

01/24/2008, 07:30 PM	#4
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	like im not sure if my blasto is dead but i have a feel its seems to be losing its colors. the center is suppose to be bright green but when i got home from school the green is gone and its become and dark color

01/24/2008, 07:45 PM	#6
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	the brand im using is API test kits i think my LFS is using the same. yes this is all happening in my 12 gallon, its been up for like 2 and half months, my longest lived animal my duncan its been in there like maybe 2 weeks after i set up my tank. and my damsel lived for bout 2 months but it also died. everything started dying after my clownfish died could that have caused something?

01/24/2008, 08:01 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The clownfish death might have caused an ammonia spike that cause a number of problems, but there's a lot of possibilities. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/24/2008, 08:44 PM	#12
ihopss Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gilmer,tx Posts: 751	Could it be that somone spilled somthing in there,that you can not test for(do a large water change).

01/24/2008, 08:56 PM	#13
weaver5 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Batavia Posts: 1,249	I was wondering about lighting. I know it would not of killed the fish but if the blasto is losing color I might suspect not enough light.I am just giving my opion for what it is worth keep in mind some of the ones that answered already know way more than I will ever know. Have you ever treated for anything with copper?.good luck and I hope you figure it out soon Scott

01/24/2008, 10:28 PM	#15
ob1thx1138 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 170	I suggest a large water change with good water very close to the temperature of the tank. Personally I would do at least a 50% change, but I know some people are afraid to do changes that large.... to be honest though....you are already looking at a total loss so now is the time to take extreme messures. To be totally honest I would do a 50% change tonight and then another one in the morning.... just make sure that water temp is right

01/24/2008, 10:39 PM	#16
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	what did you do with the fish that died--did you take them out of your tank? Do you have any live rock in your tank for biological filtration Do you have a power head for circulation __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

01/24/2008, 10:45 PM	#17
kaledrina Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 38	Did anybody clean the glass w/ Windex or something? Carpet cleaning, Febreez? Lysol? Someone cleaning the kitchen and poke Fluffy the fish? That's the first thing that comes to mind for me.

01/24/2008, 11:00 PM	#19
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	no there was no water spill or anything i just come home from work or school and something just died. well now that i just got back home from school the blasto is not dead but its losing its color thats wierd to me? when my fishes dies i take them out and flush them.

01/24/2008, 11:09 PM	#20
swivel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: san francisco Posts: 268	well there is also something in there that ive notice. it looks like a slug that has 2 very long antennas. but ive asked my ppl at my LFS and he said its nothing serious. could that have caused something too? and when i just got home i also saw a centipede lookin like worm in there also are those bad?!?!?!

01/24/2008, 11:50 PM	#21
stevelkaneval Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: oshkosh wisconsin Posts: 633	we need pics there are only a thousand different worms and centipede lookin things. __________________ "I live too serve you lord Megatron." "Were is the cube?" "The humans have taken it." "You fail me yet again Star Scream, get them." Current Tank Info: 20 long,korilia 1,and small ph,aquaclear70 moded fuge,coralife pc's,aqualight flouresent,seaclone skimmer,35lbs lr,green mushrooms and red and blue,and dragon eye zoas,assorted hermit crabs,nassarius snails,turbo snail,

01/25/2008, 01:28 AM	#22
jafish26 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 186	what kinda sand do you have in your tank i ask cuz i had the same problem for over 6 months finally found out the person i bought my tank from had bagged sand in the tank and it build up selici (spelling) changed it out for live sand glad i did lost over 400 dollars worth of fish __________________ When in doubt, Throw it out..... Current Tank Info: 75 full sps "200 cube in the works"

01/25/2008, 07:07 AM	#23
usmc121581 Where am I? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Abingdon, maryland Posts: 1,671 Blog Entries: 1	Silica wouldnt have done this. The worst it would have done is caused an algea out break. It has to be move then that. I just went though the same thing. I had somewere between 12-15 fish now done to 5. But I also moved my tank to the new house and ended up not saving enough water so basically it seems like my tank is cycling again like its new. Have you done any major changes to your setup? __________________ I prefer not to think before I speak, I like to be just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth. Current Tank Info: I have a 180 gal mostly LPS corals, it contains 1 Val. Tang, 1 yellow striped clown fish, 3 percula clownfish, a blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp and a sand shifting goby, 5 pajama cardinals, 1 green chromis. Also a 75 gal. sump/fug.

01/25/2008, 11:18 AM	#24
ob1thx1138 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 170	Changing water will not cause a new cycle..... unless you used chlorinated water and that killed all the bacteria in the live rock.

01/25/2008, 11:45 AM	#25
kaledrina Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 38	You live alone? Mom's are notorious for cleaning w/o regard to what's around them.. I've heard all sorts of stories of do-gooder mom's and dad's that stick their hands in the tank for any reason w/o remembering to wash their hands off first. All sorts of nonsense can arise that way. I think the best way we can help you is if you list, in detail, everything about your tank setup. Did you have a boxfish, an unknown cucumber, new coral, etc etc...