fish deaths after moving the tank
- Thread starter jcarroll
- Start date
elitephoto
Member
well i assume any live rock, sand and water in the tank was removed? if so thats your problem, u need to treat the tank as if its new again and go threw the cycle process
debbie
Active Member
I would then do what was suggested already and treat it as a new tank and start from the beginning with it. Don't put anymore fish in there and do a search here for cycling a tank using a piece of cooked shrimp. Go from there until your tank is stable and try the fish again when all looks good.
milomlo
Active Member
Well I am not sure that anyone has answered your question. I think you are seeking information as to why your fish died am I correct?
If that is the case then were there any signs of disease? Did you have the fish when you moved and have them somewhere and then put them in the cycled tank or did you buy the fish since your cycle? If you had them already maybe they were stressed from the move. If they are new maybe they were just sick when you bought them.
Since your cycle had finished and if the fish were not sick I would say try again. BUT before you do that, to be on the safe side I would add a small UNCOOKED shrimp to the tank to make sure your cycle is complete. OR you could just ghost feed the tank. Either way check your ammonia, trites, and trates often. If everything remains as 0 then you should be good, if anything goes up wait for it to drop back down and then u should be fine.
Since you have a clean up crew don't let your ammonia get out of hand. Do small water changes if you see your parameters rise at all as you don't want to kill your crabs. Keep in mind water changes will not hurt your cycle as your bacteria will live in your rock/and sand not your water column.
I hope that answered your question some
Good Luck
If that is the case then were there any signs of disease? Did you have the fish when you moved and have them somewhere and then put them in the cycled tank or did you buy the fish since your cycle? If you had them already maybe they were stressed from the move. If they are new maybe they were just sick when you bought them.
Since your cycle had finished and if the fish were not sick I would say try again. BUT before you do that, to be on the safe side I would add a small UNCOOKED shrimp to the tank to make sure your cycle is complete. OR you could just ghost feed the tank. Either way check your ammonia, trites, and trates often. If everything remains as 0 then you should be good, if anything goes up wait for it to drop back down and then u should be fine.
Since you have a clean up crew don't let your ammonia get out of hand. Do small water changes if you see your parameters rise at all as you don't want to kill your crabs. Keep in mind water changes will not hurt your cycle as your bacteria will live in your rock/and sand not your water column.
I hope that answered your question some
Good Luck
jcarroll
Member
Well, maybe I should give some more info. This is a 55 gallon that was moved and then reestablished. I have already cycled the tank when I first set it up by adding an uncooked shrimp and by using my rock's die off as means to start a cycle. I ghost fed the tank for a few days after the cycle was complete and at that time added the clean up crew.
So, you're right, milomlo, my main question is why did my fish die? See, it's weird because the tank has been moved twice and the time I set it up after the first move, I lost a clownfish and a goby. After doing some reading I realized it may have been because of a sally lightfoot crab I had in there. So, I was extremely surprised to find my two clownfish swimming at the bottom of the tank in the morning only three days of setting up the tank this time. The first one died within an hour and the second one only a couple of hours after the first one.
I did notice that the first one may have had a little bit of ich after the first day or so, but it was hardly noticeable and he was a little bit darker colored than the other so it was hard to tell if it was just part of his color. Before they died, they definitely had ich, but would it have killed them that quickly? I've been monitoring my parameters and everything has been at normal levels. Thanks for any help. Do you really think it could've been just that they were sick? If so, is there a cheaper fish that I can try to see if they survive, but one that isn't going to be aggressive like a damsel?
So, you're right, milomlo, my main question is why did my fish die? See, it's weird because the tank has been moved twice and the time I set it up after the first move, I lost a clownfish and a goby. After doing some reading I realized it may have been because of a sally lightfoot crab I had in there. So, I was extremely surprised to find my two clownfish swimming at the bottom of the tank in the morning only three days of setting up the tank this time. The first one died within an hour and the second one only a couple of hours after the first one.
I did notice that the first one may have had a little bit of ich after the first day or so, but it was hardly noticeable and he was a little bit darker colored than the other so it was hard to tell if it was just part of his color. Before they died, they definitely had ich, but would it have killed them that quickly? I've been monitoring my parameters and everything has been at normal levels. Thanks for any help. Do you really think it could've been just that they were sick? If so, is there a cheaper fish that I can try to see if they survive, but one that isn't going to be aggressive like a damsel?
jcarroll
Member
Also, I forgot to mention that the fish are new ones. The move was very long and I sold all of my fish, packed all of the rocks and sand in 5 gallon buckets filled with salt water and then started completely over once we arrived at the new house.
Here's another thought I just had. I wonder if I'm contaminating my own tank sometimes by simply putting my hands in it? I always have scented lotion on, would this cause a problem enough to kill my fish? I'm just grasping at straws here. I put my fingertips in to wet the food before I let it go in the water so it doesn't get sucked into my overflow right away. Maybe this is harmful? Also, my husband just made me aware that he sprayed the house with home defense at both places where I've had fish deaths after moving the tank. I know this could definitely be causing a problem. Would the poison from it more than likely have killed my crabs and other inverts too though? If I take my water in to my lfs, can they test for things like this?
Sorry for all of the questions!!!
Here's another thought I just had. I wonder if I'm contaminating my own tank sometimes by simply putting my hands in it? I always have scented lotion on, would this cause a problem enough to kill my fish? I'm just grasping at straws here. I put my fingertips in to wet the food before I let it go in the water so it doesn't get sucked into my overflow right away. Maybe this is harmful? Also, my husband just made me aware that he sprayed the house with home defense at both places where I've had fish deaths after moving the tank. I know this could definitely be causing a problem. Would the poison from it more than likely have killed my crabs and other inverts too though? If I take my water in to my lfs, can they test for things like this?
Sorry for all of the questions!!!
milomlo
Active Member
IMO - it is possible that the fish were sick when you bought them. Chromis are cheap and are a nice fish that likes to school. I recommend those instead of a damsel because you probably won't want the damsel later cause they get mean. I would try 2 chromis.
HOWEVER if your tank had ich then you need to wait I think 6 weeks before you put any other fish in the tank. The ich will die without a fish to host, but I think it takes about 6 weeks for it to go through the entire life cycle.
If you want some corals and what not u could add corals and more rock or whatever while u r waiting for the ich to die out. JMO
Hope that helps
HOWEVER if your tank had ich then you need to wait I think 6 weeks before you put any other fish in the tank. The ich will die without a fish to host, but I think it takes about 6 weeks for it to go through the entire life cycle.
If you want some corals and what not u could add corals and more rock or whatever while u r waiting for the ich to die out. JMO
Hope that helps
debbie
Active Member
Here's another thought I just had. I wonder if I'm contaminating my own tank sometimes by simply putting my hands in it? I always have scented lotion on, would this cause a problem enough to kill my fish?
This might not be the cause of death but certainly does not help the tank. I have 3 pieces of the thin dowling you can buy and I use this to move things I can around in my tank. I only put my hand in when there is something I cannot move with the stick.
Another thing that I was told is artificial nails. The stuff they use to put these on is very toxic to fish, freshwater or saltwater. So these are just a few things to keep in mind.
Good luck, hope you find out what the problem is and post us some pictures when you are all setup with some fish.....
This might not be the cause of death but certainly does not help the tank. I have 3 pieces of the thin dowling you can buy and I use this to move things I can around in my tank. I only put my hand in when there is something I cannot move with the stick.
Another thing that I was told is artificial nails. The stuff they use to put these on is very toxic to fish, freshwater or saltwater. So these are just a few things to keep in mind.
Good luck, hope you find out what the problem is and post us some pictures when you are all setup with some fish.....
debbie
Active Member
I don't use gloves in my tank I only use them when I rinse out my sponge as those nasty bristle worms can get in there. One you have had a touch with them you soon put on the gloves.
So for that I just use the regular ones for washing dishes. But I don't know about using them in the tank, some gloves have a film on them so best to wait or post a specific topic pertaining to gloves to make sure you get the right ones.
So for that I just use the regular ones for washing dishes. But I don't know about using them in the tank, some gloves have a film on them so best to wait or post a specific topic pertaining to gloves to make sure you get the right ones.
jcarroll
Member
I think what I'll do for now is get my water tested and then just to be safe, wait like you guys said, for 6 weeks or so to make sure there is no ich living in the tank. Since the tank has only been up for about 2 months, it probably may not be a good idea to add any corals yet, right? I would like to eventually, but can they survive in such a new tank?
debbie
Active Member
Nice rock work....
This can be a frusterating hobby at times. I have learned it needs alot of patience or you are just waisting your money. I "think"??? you might be able to add a few cleanup crew if you feed them a bit. But if you think ich was to blame then I would wait.
So when it is all clear what type(s) of fish do you plan on putting into your tank?
So when it is all clear what type(s) of fish do you plan on putting into your tank?
jcarroll
Member
I've had a cleanup crew in there since about a week after the cycle was complete. I have about 15 hermits, 10 snails, 3 emeralds, and 3 shrimp in there right now. So, now I'll just be giving the tank a couple of months and then think about adding another fish.
I'm wanting to do a few corals and as far as fish go, I'm actually a little up in the air about it. I usually do some research, go into the fish store, and then come home with the one that grabs my eye that day. I'll go with something like the one you suggested for my first one I get since I still am not absolutely sure what's going on with my tank. I still find it so odd that the fish died within two days of me noticing ich. Is that normal? Especially the one clown that had no signs of it. It had to have contracted it and then died within one day. It makes me think something else is going on too. I'm still afraid my husband poisoned my tank by using home defense around my reservoir. Any thoughts on that?
I'm wanting to do a few corals and as far as fish go, I'm actually a little up in the air about it. I usually do some research, go into the fish store, and then come home with the one that grabs my eye that day. I'll go with something like the one you suggested for my first one I get since I still am not absolutely sure what's going on with my tank. I still find it so odd that the fish died within two days of me noticing ich. Is that normal? Especially the one clown that had no signs of it. It had to have contracted it and then died within one day. It makes me think something else is going on too. I'm still afraid my husband poisoned my tank by using home defense around my reservoir. Any thoughts on that?
debbie
Active Member
That could be a possibility. I know they say to never spray anything in the same room at the tank itself. Another thing I have heard is when people clean the aquarium glass, I use nothing but a damp cloth and water. I then wipe it dry and it works great. Or if you have to use a glass cleaner spray it on the cloth first in another room and carefully clean the glass making sure you don't get any on the lid or any area that the moisture hits it as it can then leach into the tank.
Your two clowns were they they ocellaris type (nemo)? We had a huge problem here in Canada where I live with these particular type of clowns, they were dying left right and center. I don't know what the problem was with them but they sure were not hardy at all.
When I got my two they were fine and I have had them for 2 years until recently I traded them for a Maroon Clown. This is one of my absolute favorite, they are so velvety looking and just all around beautiful in my opinion. My trade was also due to my dwarf lion fish sizing up my little male.
Maybe you want to give a different clown when it is time a try. There are lots out there to choose from. You have a nice size tank to work with so if you go slow and add a few fish at a time and see what happens.
Another thing that popped into my head is the filters. When I had my 10 gal nano going I bought a fitler/powerhead thing called a stingray, it was the shape of a stingray and this filter was positioned inside the tank. Everything was fine and oneday I noticed the fish not looking so good. I then seen an oil slick on the water surface of the tank. Low and behold it was coming from that dam filter. In the garbage it went, huge water changes and alot of praying I save everything. I am a real stickler now about placing any type of filter into the tank. I have never heard anyone complain about the powerheads so I guess they are okay. I don't use one as I have two Aqua Clear Filters on my tank and the movement is great, I would blow everything out of the tank I think with more movement but in a tank of your size you would need one or two. This is just another thought about checking the equipment.
As for corals, I am no expert at all. I only have assorted mushrooms. If you wanted to try something before the fish mushrooms are cheap enough and get one cluster and give it a try. You say you have a clean up crew in the tank, have you lost any? They sure would feel the affects if there were anything wrong with the tank.
As for the ich, if the fish are badly infected with it I think it can certainly kill them eventually. Anything like this is stressful on fish. But I think your clowns probably had more than just ich bothering them. If you have a different store in your area you might want to try getting a fish or two from them.
I don't often buy fish from a store I order them in and pick them up right when they come in. That way they don't go into the LFS tank which more than not has ich. I have never had a problem with doing it this way and much prefer it too.
Good luck, I hope I have helped in some way. I am a learner too being in the hobby for only 2 1/2 years now and have learned with ups and downs too.
Below is a picture of my new maroon clown, he is missing his top fin due to the idiot that caught him. But it will grow back in no time.
Your two clowns were they they ocellaris type (nemo)? We had a huge problem here in Canada where I live with these particular type of clowns, they were dying left right and center. I don't know what the problem was with them but they sure were not hardy at all.
When I got my two they were fine and I have had them for 2 years until recently I traded them for a Maroon Clown. This is one of my absolute favorite, they are so velvety looking and just all around beautiful in my opinion. My trade was also due to my dwarf lion fish sizing up my little male.
Maybe you want to give a different clown when it is time a try. There are lots out there to choose from. You have a nice size tank to work with so if you go slow and add a few fish at a time and see what happens.
Another thing that popped into my head is the filters. When I had my 10 gal nano going I bought a fitler/powerhead thing called a stingray, it was the shape of a stingray and this filter was positioned inside the tank. Everything was fine and oneday I noticed the fish not looking so good. I then seen an oil slick on the water surface of the tank. Low and behold it was coming from that dam filter. In the garbage it went, huge water changes and alot of praying I save everything. I am a real stickler now about placing any type of filter into the tank. I have never heard anyone complain about the powerheads so I guess they are okay. I don't use one as I have two Aqua Clear Filters on my tank and the movement is great, I would blow everything out of the tank I think with more movement but in a tank of your size you would need one or two. This is just another thought about checking the equipment.
As for corals, I am no expert at all. I only have assorted mushrooms. If you wanted to try something before the fish mushrooms are cheap enough and get one cluster and give it a try. You say you have a clean up crew in the tank, have you lost any? They sure would feel the affects if there were anything wrong with the tank.
As for the ich, if the fish are badly infected with it I think it can certainly kill them eventually. Anything like this is stressful on fish. But I think your clowns probably had more than just ich bothering them. If you have a different store in your area you might want to try getting a fish or two from them.
I don't often buy fish from a store I order them in and pick them up right when they come in. That way they don't go into the LFS tank which more than not has ich. I have never had a problem with doing it this way and much prefer it too.
Good luck, I hope I have helped in some way. I am a learner too being in the hobby for only 2 1/2 years now and have learned with ups and downs too.
Below is a picture of my new maroon clown, he is missing his top fin due to the idiot that caught him. But it will grow back in no time.
jcarroll
Member
Definitely thanks for all of your help. I had two marroon clowns in Denver and ended up losing them to the ghost in my tank.... ( since I have no idea what's going on yet). This time though, to be safe with money, I purchased two perculas. Again both dead.... It's really weird, isn't it? I mean, you could be right on about them being sick when I bought them. It's weird though that I had problems in Denver too. I never use anything to clean my tank except my tank scrubber and a dry cloth or my t shirt to get off smudges on the outside of it.
I have lost a few snails, probably five or so, but I think they were attacked for their shells. I have extra shells in there, but I guess they weren't good enough. Other than that, they're all still alive. That's probably what is the most disturbing. I know inverts can be very picky with water levels and they're all hardy and happy! Just can't keep any fish.
I have lost a few snails, probably five or so, but I think they were attacked for their shells. I have extra shells in there, but I guess they weren't good enough. Other than that, they're all still alive. That's probably what is the most disturbing. I know inverts can be very picky with water levels and they're all hardy and happy! Just can't keep any fish.
