Fish dying, bad live rock?

[jules]

Has anyone ever had bad live rock? I have had a 55 gallon tank for years and never had any problems w/my fish. I also never had any live rock and bought a few pounds two months ago. Since then, I have had four fish die, and they went quick! They had the signs of what looked like ick but would die w/in a day of the symptoms. Each time a death occurred, the water was taken in to be tested and all was fine. Each fish that died would have possibly eaten off the rock (coral beauty, yellow tang, blasset). Is this possible? I am so convinced, I took the rock out and now I am terrified of getting any other fish. The only survivors are a hawkfish and skunk clown. If the water is testing fine, I don't know what the problem is. These fish were not in the tank together to pass anything, as one died, i would go out and replace it, and I did this four times and now I give upHELP!!!

 

[marine qa]

I am not very experienced but people are going to ask what you specific levels are.
My meager guesses would be that the rock may have been uncured therby creating ammonia with die off from the rock. Did the rock smell before you put it in? If it did it was probably uncured. However an older tank like yours may have been able to compensate for that. Otherwise their may have been some toxin on the rock. Did you show the dead fish to your fish store?
Again I'm not very experienced but I would't add more fish until you figure out what it is. I might also replace any charcoal elements to try to eliminate any toxins.
Other people will respond, but you might want to try the disease and treatment section of this board.
[ May 10, 2001: Message edited by: Marine QA ]

 

[kappadoku]

Excellent reponse Marine QA. Have some confidence.
When you say all test are fine, I'm assuming you mean theres no ammonia. If thats the case, have somebody else check it. Anytime you introduce LR in to an aquarium, you WILL have some dieoff and therefore, some cycle.
Did it smell funky?
Matbe there is a toxin on the rock, but look to the most obvious answer first.

 

[jules]

I never asked for the specific levels because they said everything looked fine. I will take it else where and get the specs. I have done a 10% water change since all the deaths. If there is a high amonia level, could this have been the culprit? When you say did the rock smell, what does uncured rock smell like? I didn't notice any smell at the time. If the amonia is high, what then?

 

[cosmosbasement]

Jules-It may also depend on how much live rock you put in your tank at one time. If it's a large amount there may have been I Nitrate increase. Anytime you add live rock your Nitrate most likely will increase. Although it's not as toxic as ammonia to fish but it still may cause some stress and problems. If your tank is established before adding live rock you should add it gradually instead of large amounts at once. May not have been the reason but a definite possibility.
peace
doug

 

[cosmosbasement]

Jules-Bad rock smells fishy. Good rock smells like the ocean. You'd definitely know the difference.

 

[marine qa]

Jules, A high ammonia level could certainly have killed those fish. Uncured LR will smell like sulfer/rotten. Cured LR should smell like the ocean.
If your ammonia level is high, your tank will have to cycle again like when it was new. First ammonia levels rise/fall then nitrites levels rise/fall then nitrates rise. Finally you do a approx. 20% water change. It is hard to tell how long this will take.
I would get your own testing kit. You need to be able to test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph at least. The tests are not really hard to do. I have a Red Sand Marine Lab test kit that includes all of the above tests + some others.

 

[jules]

Thanks for all the help, the live rock did not smell "like the ocean" and it was only two lbs. that i added. It is now out and will remember to smell any I purchase in the future. I will let the tank settle down and get a test kit to keep an eye on it. Do you think the other fish are safe? They have made it this far and seem fine....I know clownfish are pretty hardy, how about my hawkfish?

 

[cosmosbasement]

Jules-Hawks are pretty hardy. Not as much as clowns, but if they are okay now you should be okay. Just get that test kit and do a couple water changes. I do about 10% every other week. If you are having fish dying on you though, I'd try to do it every week if possible. Good luck.
peace
doug