help fish start dying [Archive] - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

mohammadali

07-07-2012, 10:47 AM

HI
I check my water at the store they said everything is fine just a water change will be good i did 10% water change all coral closing and same to anemone but my 3 fish died right after 3 hours water change
salinity 1.024
PH 84
temp 78

here is the video after 3 hours water change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtkLVSzQuvk

lpsreefer

07-07-2012, 12:15 PM

Do a bigger water change.
Did you change or add something to your filter?

Cal_stir

07-07-2012, 02:58 PM

check your alk!

reefgirl189

07-07-2012, 03:10 PM

Agreed! Do a massive water change, as big as you can. Something is in your system that's causing your fish to die. Have you used any household cleaners near the tank lately?

reefwars

07-07-2012, 04:12 PM

its not just your fish everything in that tank is dying, corals are closed,fragplugs are bare and a clear nutrient problem happeneing.

honestly if you want some help your going to have to include equipment list, schedules, parameters(in full) and livestock....without its just a shot in the dark and my shot is no oxygen i see 3 powerheads none of which are breaking the surface....your green star polyp has no movement at all and all fish are hiding,its also something they dont test for at lfs. how long did you mix the salt for and how did you go about mixing it and adding it to your system??

reefwars

07-07-2012, 04:14 PM

plus if you dont keep your powerheads clean they lose alot of flow so they look like they are doing their job but if you put your hand in front of them theres not much;)

mohammadali

07-07-2012, 07:05 PM

Agreed! Do a massive water change, as big as you can. Something is in your system that's causing your fish to die. Have you used any household cleaners near the tank lately?

No i didnt

mohammadali

07-07-2012, 07:08 PM

there is a pet store manger told me when i add tap water i should add kh into tap water all the time i bought a kh bottle from him

mohammadali

07-07-2012, 07:11 PM

is it okay if i change 80% water ?

Cal_stir

07-07-2012, 08:25 PM

you need to check you alk (kh), your tap water is prob high in alk and if you added kh you are prob really high.
I would do 25% wc at a time so you don't cause too much shock.

SeaHorse_Fanatic

07-07-2012, 08:29 PM

Ok. So from what I read, you did a water change and the fish died & the corals are unhappy.

You better find out what is the problem with the water (probably too much kH if that's what you added this time) before you compound the problem by doing another big water change and adding to the issue, instead of solving it.

With tapwater, are you using Prime or what to treat for chlorine? Maybe the city added chloramine in the water system.

Cal_stir

07-07-2012, 08:35 PM

+1 on the chlorimine, if it is then you might need some amquel to get rid of the ammonia.

mohammadali

07-07-2012, 08:57 PM

What's ALK ?
I'M going to do water change 30% and I'm adding prime

Madreefer

07-07-2012, 09:30 PM

there is a pet store manger told me when i add tap water i should add kh into tap water all the time i bought a kh bottle from him

HUH??? That's a new one. No offense to those who my work at a "pet store". But that is where I have heard the most bad information given out to people. Go to a store that specializes in SW. You should NEVER add anything to your tank that you do not test for. Get yourself some test kits and try to learn to do your own testing. And don't let the stores try to sel you the Hagen Master Test Kits which are for sale at most "pet stores". And to answer your question on what's Kh without gettin into too much long winded detail, it's Alk. By the way the quotations are for the chain stores. Once again try a SW specialized store.

Cal_stir

07-07-2012, 10:07 PM

What's ALK ?
I'M going to do water change 30% and I'm adding prime

Alkalinity or carbonate hardness (kh)
Should be about 7 to 9 dkh.
the kh additive is raising your alk (kh)

reefwars

07-07-2012, 11:22 PM

You should NEVER add anything to your tank that you do not test for. Get yourself some test kits and try to learn to do your own testing..

couldnt have said it better:)
how can you know what to add if you dont test for it.:)

burgerchow

07-07-2012, 11:51 PM

mohammad, you don't live too far from J&L aquatics. Take a water sample ( about a half liter ) and ask them to test your water for PH and Alkalinity. They'll tell you what's wrong with your water .

Madmak

07-08-2012, 12:04 AM

IMO, and just from watching the video, something must be way off. Please get a test kit for the basics and maybe copper too. Test the tank so you know where you are at and continue with water changes but test the new salt water as well. Could be anything causing the problem and you will find it if you keep looking. Bad salt, bad fresh water, low oxygen, high nutrients, heavy metals, etc.

Best of luck to you.

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 12:11 AM

mohammad, you don't live too far from J&L aquatics. Take a water sample ( about a half liter ) and ask them to test your water for PH and Alkalinity. They'll tell you what's wrong with your water .

i took my water to 2 pet store they telling me diff things about my water
im confused , i dont wanna name the stores here .
one of em told me the KH is good and the other one said the kh is high

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 12:14 AM

mohammad, you don't live too far from J&L aquatics. Take a water sample ( about a half liter ) and ask them to test your water for PH and Alkalinity. They'll tell you what's wrong with your water .

J&L has new rules for testing water on the weekends
if you want ur water to be tested
you have to know what do u want to be test so they only test one thing

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 12:18 AM

the salinity show 1.024 at home
but at J&L said the salinity is 1.028

Mandosh

07-08-2012, 12:25 AM

the salinity show 1.024 at home
but at J&L said the salinity is 1.028

What are you using at home to test your salinity? What was the kH reading the stores got from your water?

Honestly, you need to buy some test kits and learn how to test for parameters. It is kind of an important part of keeping a healthy tank. Especially when you're just starting out.

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 01:07 AM

i will buy a test kit when i can
at the store they said its just high everything
the water condition is like a new tank set up
im using a "redsea hydrometer " to check my salinity and temp "

Leah

07-08-2012, 01:51 AM

How old is the tank?

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 02:03 AM

9 months old and it was running before i bought it

SeaHorse_Fanatic

07-08-2012, 04:56 AM

Hydrometers are usually inaccurate. They tested salinity with a refractometer at J&L. 1.028 is quite high. Should aim for 1.024-1.026.

If you need one, I have a spare Brand New Refractometer I'm selling for $35. I knew a local reefer who completely wiped out her tank because her 4 hydrometers were all off and by the time she checked with my refractometer, her tank's salinity was 1.012 or brackish.

reefgirl189

07-08-2012, 02:31 PM

I knew a local reefer who completely wiped out her tank because her 4 hydrometers were all off and by the time she checked with my refractometer, her tank's salinity was 1.012 or brackish.

Ugh... that sucks. It's also a mistake I've made. I let my little guy play with the refractometer a few times and forgot to check calibration of it after. It was quite low, reading 1.019 when it should have been 1.026. Luckily everything was okay but I let it go on for far longer than I should have. Hopefully that's the worst mistake I make with this hobby...

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 09:51 PM

here is couple pics of my water change
http://s1053.photobucket.com/albums/s464/alexafg/

and i use this to check my salinity and temp
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/mc-hydrs/Red+Sea+Hydrometer+with+Digital+Thermometer.html

Cal_stir

07-08-2012, 10:50 PM

you need a refractometer, those hydrometers are junk

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 11:14 PM

str8 up , it is junk ill get my refractometer soon :)

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 11:20 PM

Hey folks
i bought this sea cucumber
is it normal with this cucumber ?
<a href="http://s1053.photobucket.com/albums/s464/alexafg/?action=view&current=4-FEB738C0-732839-800.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s464/alexafg/4-FEB738C0-732839-800.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s464/alexafg/4-FEB738C0-732839-800.jpg

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 11:21 PM

reefwars

07-08-2012, 11:32 PM

i dont understand if all your fish are dying why would you buy more stuff??

mohammadali

07-08-2012, 11:44 PM

i bought this a day before my fish died

reefwars

07-08-2012, 11:57 PM

There's your problem it's releasing toxin, run carbon and remove it without stressing it out. Follow with a big water change and more carbon.if not when it dies i bet it nukes your tank

reefwars

07-09-2012, 12:00 AM

thats your guaramnteed issues your having right there, get it out and new water and carbon.

mohammadali

07-09-2012, 12:26 AM

reefwars

07-09-2012, 12:32 AM

oh okay thanks can i return it to the store ?
i saw it in the tank at the store it was healthy , as soon as he tried to take him off the rock this kinda things came out of it
and i told him is it stressing out , he said " its just waste dont worry its normal "

isnt that illegal to sell stressed out livestock ?

no not illeagal but you need to research your purchases your lucky if this thing doesnt nuke your tank, they need very stabil conditions. your doing a water change may have stressed it out plus transit from the lfs.

a big lesson was learned here hopefully do your own research stores want your money, just google something before you buy it:) good luck

reefwars

07-09-2012, 12:33 AM

def return it to the store demand your money back for not warning you of what it can potentially do:)

mohammadali

07-09-2012, 03:06 AM

i had one before , this one stressed out in the store tank i was watching him and i asked him if it is stressed out he said ( its the waste ................. )

dc4

07-09-2012, 05:08 AM

Run as much carbon as you can, even better if you can run it in a reactor. Usually any cucs with bright colors are a warning for having potent toxin.

Madreefer

07-09-2012, 05:28 AM

First off I'm not trying to be a dick. I'm just straight up. Seriously dude, you really have to find a better store with a knowledgeable staff. Impulse livestock purchases are detrimental in alot of cases without ALOT of research. Doing your research and having patience is really rewarding in this hobby. Listen to the advice people on here are offering you. If you don't trust the answer than research some more. Don't be like me and learn by trial and error and trusting that person selling you whatever. It's discouraging and costly. Stick to reputable specialty stores.

Megalodon

07-09-2012, 04:45 PM

Hey folks
i bought this sea cucumber
is it normal with this cucumber ?
i had one before i sold it and i never seen this kinda before but i bought it from store like this

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s464/alexafg/4-FEB738C0-732839-800.jpgOMG!

That's your main problem. Flush that thing ASAP. Google "cuke nuke".

Do more massive water changes. Run lots of carbon.

Buy some test kits and learn how to use them. Either the LFS stressed that cuke or you did. If you did, you still have secondary issue(s) like the improper acclimatization of that cuke and/or poor water conditions.

Madmak

07-09-2012, 04:47 PM

Yes, that cucumber is likely the cause of your issues, I've been there. As said before, water changes and carbon after he is out should get things back to normal.

Take everything the LFS suggests or says with a grain of salt, money always skews the story it seems. Trust your own research first.

reefwars

07-09-2012, 04:55 PM

OMG!

That's your main problem. Flush that thing ASAP. Google "cuke nuke".

Do more massive water changes. Run lots of carbon.

Buy some test kits and learn how to use them. Either the LFS stressed that cuke or you did. If you did, you still have secondary issue(s) like the improper acclimatization of that cuke and/or poor water conditions.

+1 this is a prime example of why to do your own research....these animals are very risky to have in a aquarium thats not dedicated to them.stressing this animal out could be as simple as flow or as difficult as age......either way when it goes it releases its toxin and can nuke tanks ten times the size of yours.

judging by the video its already started so get it out and run agressive carbon(in a reactor)

im taking a wild guess here that your fairly new to salt water( not knowing how to test and all) we can tell that from the video your not running a mature tank with all the bells and whistles.....so low experience and basic tools......you should stick with the easier stuff for now untill the knowlege is aquired, it would be a sin for you to lose all the money invested into livestock.

those fish didnt need to die and its a sad reality that a five minute reading could have saved their lives, a better understanding of the hobby in general would have told you your problem the minute it happened and alot of less time would have been wasted.

once your tank stabilizes do some reading on the animals you want to keep.....make a list and stick to it, choose your livestock carefully as it takes years to find the perfect match...but one bad addition could wipe it all out in a day.

not trying to be rude but it needed to be said.

good luck:)

daniella3d

07-10-2012, 01:48 AM

you need to lose the tap water. get a good osmose unit or keep loosing fish and corals.

You never know what desinfectant they water company can put in the water, and this is obviously something wrong with your water. Could be copper, could be anything, could be pesticide, you name it.

scherzo

07-10-2012, 02:01 AM

You live in my area so you can pm me if you'd like me to come and have a look at the tank.

I'm pretty sure what people have stated able are correct. That thing is contaminating the water.

If you shop at the same saltwater store as I do .... Then they are pretty reputable... There are really only 2 near us and honestly both are great. However, it does seem to depend on who you talk to when they are getting your livestock. Generally most are great but definitely there are more with more knowledge than others. As others have stated, do your research first.

As for the water, we get a TDS reading of 12 or lower, on a bad day! I used to run tap water and everything was fine (until a fish did behind some rock work while I was away and caused a large hair algae breakout which I am still battling). I do run RO/DI now just because it is easier to fill my containers and auto top off with float valves, etc. I doubt the water it to blame here, likely your new livestock.

I have test kits that I can bring by and we can test your water. Or just bring it to the store and they can test it for you.

Megalodon

07-10-2012, 02:35 PM

gobytron

07-10-2012, 03:13 PM

Awesome thread.

mohammadali

07-10-2012, 07:04 PM

I actually had one of those pink filter-feeding cukes until recently. It was withering away and shrinking as it wasn't getting enough food. It never stressed and expelled it guts but I didn't want to take any chances and just flushed the damned thing. And you know what? My tank has been doing better ever since. IMO just avoid those things entirely. I've noticed J&L Aquatics doesn't sell them anymore. It was pretty while it lasted, though.

I had one before i sold it to someone it was really healthy,
but this one was healthy until the guy tried to take it off the rock as soon as he pulled it off the rock it threw out those orange things and i asked him " is it bad sing " ? he said " its just waste ............... "

mohammadali

07-10-2012, 07:11 PM

I actually had one of those pink filter-feeding cukes until recently. It was withering away and shrinking as it wasn't getting enough food. It never stressed and expelled it guts but I didn't want to take any chances and just flushed the damned thing. And you know what? My tank has been doing better ever since. IMO just avoid those things entirely. I've noticed J&L Aquatics doesn't sell them anymore. It was pretty while it lasted, though.

you need to lose the tap water. get a good osmose unit or keep loosing fish and corals.

You never know what desinfectant they water company can put in the water, and this is obviously something wrong with your water. Could be copper, could be anything, could be pesticide, you name it.

hahahahha i have been using tap water ever since i set up the tank. but nothing bad ever happened to the livestock until this pink cucumber nuke all of my livestock and everything was healthy the day before i put the pink cucumber.
everything was growing well and they all were so healthy