Tank crashing...need advice

donb · 12/12/2013, 08:35 PM

My tank is crashing and all of my fish are dying. I could really use some advice on what is happening and how i straighten this mess out.

My setup:
Tank: 155 gallon DSA
Sump: Aqueon Proflex Model 4
Skimmer: Reeflo Diablo 200XS
Powerheads: 2 Vortech MP40
Lights: ATI 6x80W SunPower with ATI bulbs
Rock: BRS Reefsaver
Sand: Arag-Alive
RO/DI: BRS 6 stage

I setup the tank in March with the sand and reefsaver rock. I had an existing 110 tank that i was concerned about so i was trying to be as quick as possible while still trying to do things right. i used some of the Dr. Tim's stuff to try to jump start the cycle. I'm not sure if it was worth it but i was desperate to get out of the 110. Anyway, I gave it 4-6 weeks and then (relatively) slowly started moving fish over from the 110. After about a month I had all the fish moved over. (Sailfin, Naso, Maroon Clown, 2 Green Chromis, Yellow Watchman Goby, Pistol Shrimp, Dragon Goby, Fire Shrimp, 1 red-legged hermit, and 2 snails).

At that point i just focused on trying to make sure the tank was stable. I religiously did water changes every other weekend of around 20 gallons. Water parameters never went out of whack and all of the fish have been thriving. My only issue really was a brownish algae growing on the rocks and the overflow. I assumed that was normal and just part of the algae cycle.

In late October I felt like the tank was in a good place and decided to add a yellow tang. The tang acclimated to the tank well and also appeared to be thriving. On Black Friday the LFS was having a nice sale so I decided to add a rusty angel. I have to admit... I've never quarantined fish before putting them into my tank. To be honest, I've never felt like i had the setup to be successful with a QT tank. This may end up being my downfall.

Anyway... last Friday evening my Sailfin appeared to have ich. I started trying to figure out what to do. I was stuck as I don't have a QT tank and couldn't figure out what to do quickly. Over the weekend he started to look better and none of the other fish appeared to have it. I knew that this didn't mean that I had gotten out of the woods but i assumed that it gave me a little bit of time to figure out an approach to correct the situation. Over the last several days, however, all of the fish have started dying. The Naso three days ago, one of the chromis and the clown yesterday, the other chromis and the angel today. Separately, the dragon seems to have managed to jump out of the tank while i had the canopy off. I found him behind the tank two days ago.

I'm left with the Sailfin, the yellow tang, the watchman goby, and the invertebrates. The sailfin looks to be in rough shape tonight and the yellow doesn't look a whole lot better. I've moved them both to a tank that I setup with new saltwater and the temp set at 80. I'm hopeful that I might be able to nurse them back to health while i try to get the main tank straightened out.

The only things that look wrong to me in the tank is the ich (obviously) and the algae on the rocks now appears to be more of a fuzzy brownish red color.

I apologize if this is rambling. I'm trying to give as much information as possible with the hope that someone might be able to help me figure out what is happening. Any advice is very much appreciated.

Boston21 · 12/12/2013, 08:48 PM

Parameter's?

donb · 12/12/2013, 08:48 PM

I forgot... i also run, off an on, BRS ROX carbon and BRS GFO.

Arnel0387 · 12/12/2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donb

I forgot... i also run, off an on, BRS ROX carbon and BRS GFO.

Remove the carbon and GFO maybe?

Tenshoa · 12/12/2013, 09:58 PM

Need params

Chevrefils · 12/12/2013, 10:54 PM

It could have been the ich. It really doesn't take long. If you tangs still have ich get some cupramine and treat your qt tank. I've treated several fish including a tang in a 20g for 10 weeks with perfect success. Meaning if aggression is low and water quality is good they will be fine for a few weeks while you let the main tank run fallow.

12/12/2013, 08:35 PM	#1
donb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: York, PA Posts: 7	Tank crashing...need advice My tank is crashing and all of my fish are dying. I could really use some advice on what is happening and how i straighten this mess out. My setup: Tank: 155 gallon DSA Sump: Aqueon Proflex Model 4 Skimmer: Reeflo Diablo 200XS Powerheads: 2 Vortech MP40 Lights: ATI 6x80W SunPower with ATI bulbs Rock: BRS Reefsaver Sand: Arag-Alive RO/DI: BRS 6 stage I setup the tank in March with the sand and reefsaver rock. I had an existing 110 tank that i was concerned about so i was trying to be as quick as possible while still trying to do things right. i used some of the Dr. Tim's stuff to try to jump start the cycle. I'm not sure if it was worth it but i was desperate to get out of the 110. Anyway, I gave it 4-6 weeks and then (relatively) slowly started moving fish over from the 110. After about a month I had all the fish moved over. (Sailfin, Naso, Maroon Clown, 2 Green Chromis, Yellow Watchman Goby, Pistol Shrimp, Dragon Goby, Fire Shrimp, 1 red-legged hermit, and 2 snails). At that point i just focused on trying to make sure the tank was stable. I religiously did water changes every other weekend of around 20 gallons. Water parameters never went out of whack and all of the fish have been thriving. My only issue really was a brownish algae growing on the rocks and the overflow. I assumed that was normal and just part of the algae cycle. In late October I felt like the tank was in a good place and decided to add a yellow tang. The tang acclimated to the tank well and also appeared to be thriving. On Black Friday the LFS was having a nice sale so I decided to add a rusty angel. I have to admit... I've never quarantined fish before putting them into my tank. To be honest, I've never felt like i had the setup to be successful with a QT tank. This may end up being my downfall. Anyway... last Friday evening my Sailfin appeared to have ich. I started trying to figure out what to do. I was stuck as I don't have a QT tank and couldn't figure out what to do quickly. Over the weekend he started to look better and none of the other fish appeared to have it. I knew that this didn't mean that I had gotten out of the woods but i assumed that it gave me a little bit of time to figure out an approach to correct the situation. Over the last several days, however, all of the fish have started dying. The Naso three days ago, one of the chromis and the clown yesterday, the other chromis and the angel today. Separately, the dragon seems to have managed to jump out of the tank while i had the canopy off. I found him behind the tank two days ago. I'm left with the Sailfin, the yellow tang, the watchman goby, and the invertebrates. The sailfin looks to be in rough shape tonight and the yellow doesn't look a whole lot better. I've moved them both to a tank that I setup with new saltwater and the temp set at 80. I'm hopeful that I might be able to nurse them back to health while i try to get the main tank straightened out. The only things that look wrong to me in the tank is the ich (obviously) and the algae on the rocks now appears to be more of a fuzzy brownish red color. I apologize if this is rambling. I'm trying to give as much information as possible with the hope that someone might be able to help me figure out what is happening. Any advice is very much appreciated.

12/12/2013, 08:48 PM	#2
Boston21 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 452	Parameter's? __________________ Currently Running: 10G Pico AIO 20G High Mixed Reef - ASM Mini G, Taotronics 120W, 10G Sump, Mag 7 R-Pump, 200W Heater, Purigen, Carbon, ESHOPPs Float Valve, Apex Jr, Smart Wave

12/12/2013, 09:58 PM	#5
Tenshoa Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,094	Need params

12/12/2013, 10:54 PM	#6
Chevrefils Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 242	It could have been the ich. It really doesn't take long. If you tangs still have ich get some cupramine and treat your qt tank. I've treated several fish including a tang in a 20g for 10 weeks with perfect success. Meaning if aggression is low and water quality is good they will be fine for a few weeks while you let the main tank run fallow.