Algae Scrubber Disaster

[Jaws]

Yes and the skimmer and the return pump was still running during the most recent crash.

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[Myka]

Originally Posted by Jaws

Yes and the skimmer and the return pump was still running during the most recent crash.

Yeah, O2 deprivation doesn't sound very likely either then. I agree that asking on www.algaescrubber.net is probably a good idea at this point!

Please update when you find out the cause of your problems. I'm interested to hear.

[Zoaelite]

Although a very long shot technically it is possible your releasing a "Mini Red Tide" on your tank when you clean the filter. Although the species Karenia brevis is a non-benthic planktonic swimmer excessive concentrations could be massing under the light, when you clean it most of the dinoflagellates could be released back into the tank poisoning the inhabitants.

There are hundreds of algae out there that can produce toxins, you never know with our little experiments .

My personal vote is for coincidence, look at the fish that died on you. An Achilles tang is the hardest tang to care for out there... period. How long was he established in the tank for prior to the incident? Anthias present a similar situation, although the Bartletts are more hardy than many out there it doesn't change the stats. Your third fish that died was a cleaner wrasse, was he eating frozen prior to the incidents? These fish also have horrible track records in captivity.

Would you please be as kind to post your system stats & maybe a few photos of the scrubber itself?

[MarkoD]

From what I've noticed is that skimmers are very sensitive to sudden changes in water conditions.

So when you turn off the scrubber, watch to see if the skimmer reacts. If nothing happens within a few min, I'd say its coincidence.

[Jaws]

I'll try and get some more pics but I can assure you the fish were in pristine condition. All of them well established for months and eating very well with no signs of being unhealthy whatsoever. And then within 5 minutes, watching them change color from massive stress almost as if their scales were burning, breathing rapidly, eyes bulging out of their heads almost and then all of them slowing down and starting to die right in front of your face. It was horrifying. Everything looked like it would have been dead within an hour if I didn't act fast. I'm convinced it's something being released into the water from the algae. I just can't imagine what it could be that would cause such a fast reaction.

[Aquattro]

So you've removed it, right??

[Jaws]

Until I can get some answers, yes.