Freshwater dip gone badd???

55newb

New Member
I just fresh water dipped my yellow tang. i took him out of the freshwater and back into my saltwater tank and then he basicaly froze. he is in my smaller tank because i dont want him to spread the spots that were on him. But he wont swim around and i have him proped up on the side of the tank so he doesnt breathe in the sand.. is this normal? is there anuthing i can do? Im a newb at this so im not used to saltwater. thanks in advance!!
 

gemmy

Active Member
How long did you do the freshwater dip?
Some much needed but not asked for info on ich:
Chances are that the "white spots" (most likely ich) has already spread to the other inhabitants of the tank. The best course of treatment for ich is to QT the fish and perform hypo and let the DT fallow for 4-5 weeks (some people recommend up to 8 weeks) so the ich can live out its life cycle. Also, I would examine how the ich was introduced to the DT in the first place in order to prevent it from happening again. Were the fish quarantined? Are the fish in the tank stressed due to poor environment (too many fish, fish that are inappropriately sized for the tank, the fish are being picked on, etc)?
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Sounds like some sort of shock. Did you keep the FW dip container heated? Was it much warmer or colder then the tank you put the tang back into? Did you keep an eye on pH, of the tank, and the dip container, before, during, and after the procedure?
 
When I do my freshwater dips I add a little salt (accualy dilluted water change water[about .9 specific gravity]) so the shock isn't as great (if this makes a difference, I don't know)
 

55newb

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352069
How long did you do the freshwater dip?
Some much needed but not asked for info on ich:
Chances are that the "white spots" (most likely ich) has already spread to the other inhabitants of the tank. The best course of treatment for ich is to QT the fish and perform hypo and let the DT fallow for 4-5 weeks (some people recommend up to 8 weeks) so the ich can live out its life cycle. Also, I would examine how the ich was introduced to the DT in the first place in order to prevent it from happening again. Were the fish quarantined? Are the fish in the tank stressed due to poor environment (too many fish, fish that are inappropriately sized for the tank, the fish are being picked on, etc)?
The longest i had him in there was 5 min... At MOST.
Non of the other fish seem to have it. My lionfish has some white specks on him but i think it might just be same bc its only on one side of him.
What is a hypo?
The fish were not quarentined I noticed the spots yesterday and thats when i looked into it. I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem. And the only thing i see picking on is one of the damsels picks on the other two.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352077
Sounds like some sort of shock. Did you keep the FW dip container heated? Was it much warmer or colder then the tank you put the tang back into? Did you keep an eye on pH, of the tank, and the dip container, before, during, and after the procedure?
The tank and the bucket were within 2* of each other. I cleaned the container with vinigar and then repeated cleaning it with regular water about 3 times before i put the fish in
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.
 

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352268
I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.

Ouch.
If by only been running, you mean from the very beginning and not after establishing the cycle, we have a real problem here. Even if you mean 2 weeks after establishing the cycle, we have a problem, but may be able to save the lives of your fish.
Some of the experts will be by shortly, in the meantime, I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the New Hobbyist forum.
This will get you started:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
 

flower

Well-Known Member
You wrote: "I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem."
A 2 week old tank??????...Oh yes...you have a problem.
 

55newb

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352272
You wrote: "I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem."
A 2 week old tank??????...Oh yes...you have a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352271
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352268
I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.

Ouch.
If by only been running, you mean from the very beginning and not after establishing the cycle, we have a real problem here. Even if you mean 2 weeks after establishing the cycle, we have a problem, but may be able to save the lives of your fish.
Some of the experts will be by shortly, in the meantime, I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the New Hobbyist forum.
This will get you started:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
This is basically how i started the tank. Why do i have a problem?
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352273
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352272
You wrote: "I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem."
A 2 week old tank??????...Oh yes...you have a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352271
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352268
I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.

Ouch.
If by only been running, you mean from the very beginning and not after establishing the cycle, we have a real problem here. Even if you mean 2 weeks after establishing the cycle, we have a problem, but may be able to save the lives of your fish.
Some of the experts will be by shortly, in the meantime, I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the New Hobbyist forum.
This will get you started:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
This is basically how i started the tank. Why do i have a problem?
/>

Sorry, editing is slow and I meant to write more and it froze on me. You need to read the 101 tips to start a saltwater tank. That will help you allot.
Welcome to the site. I don’t want you think you are being flamed or picked on. Any tank, even freshwater needs time to adjust between new added fish. Too fast too soon is certain death for your critters. The good bacteria can’t grow fast enough o balance out the tank and you will have ammonia and nitrite spikes which will kill the fish.
Add only one fish a month. A starfish needs a 6 month or older tank. A yellow tang needs more room than a 55g. Your lionfish is going to get huge too. A lionfish will eat your CUC of snails and hermits. So you have critters that don’t belong in the same tank together, you have too many fish too soon, you have fish not suited for your tank size.
You have allot of problems and we haven’t even checked to see how you set up the tank, what kind of filtration or live rock and power heads…what kind of test kits you used and what were those results.
Two weeks, you are not ready for even one fish.
 

desertdawg

Member
Lets ask the question this way... How long ago did you put water in your tank?
What I'm asking is from the day you put the empty tank on the stand and poured your very first drop of RO/DI water in it...
 

55newb

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352281
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352273
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352272
You wrote: "I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem."
A 2 week old tank??????...Oh yes...you have a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352271
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352268
I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.

Ouch.
If by only been running, you mean from the very beginning and not after establishing the cycle, we have a real problem here. Even if you mean 2 weeks after establishing the cycle, we have a problem, but may be able to save the lives of your fish.
Some of the experts will be by shortly, in the meantime, I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the New Hobbyist forum.
This will get you started:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
This is basically how i started the tank. Why do i have a problem?

Sorry, editing is slow and I meant to write more and it froze on me. You need to read the 101 tips to start a saltwater tank. That will help you allot.
Welcome to the site. I don’t want you think you are being flamed or picked on. Any tank, even freshwater needs time to adjust between new added fish. Too fast too soon is certain death for your critters. The good bacteria can’t grow fast enough o balance out the tank and you will have ammonia and nitrite spikes which will kill the fish.
Add only one fish a month. A starfish needs a 6 month or older tank. A yellow tang needs more room than a 55g. Your lionfish is going to get huge too. A lionfish will eat your CUC of snails and hermits. So you have critters that don’t belong in the same tank together, you have too many fish too soon, you have fish not suited for your tank size.
You have allot of problems and we haven’t even checked to see how you set up the tank, what kind of filtration or live rock and power heads…what kind of test kits you used and what were those results.
Two weeks, you are not ready for even one fish.
I take it the fish store is pulling my leg with telling me that its ok to put these fish in.
I have a cascade 1200 filter, i was told to go over board with the filter and my buddy had this laying around
Ill find out the name of the powerhead tonight.
The test kits were my friends i was using. not sure of the name (going tn to get my own)
What should i do about all my fish?
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352289
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352281
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352273
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352272
You wrote: "I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails so i dont think to many fish was a problem."
A 2 week old tank??????...Oh yes...you have a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352271
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb
http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352268
I have a 55 gallon tank with a lionfish, 3 damsels and a wrasse along with some starfish and some snails
Sad update.. The Tang did not make it last night :( going to re-test my water tonight and see if anything is way off
The tank has only been running for about 2 weeks now.
Ouch.
If by only been running, you mean from the very beginning and not after establishing the cycle, we have a real problem here. Even if you mean 2 weeks after establishing the cycle, we have a problem, but may be able to save the lives of your fish.
Some of the experts will be by shortly, in the meantime, I suggest you read the stickies at the top of the New Hobbyist forum.
This will get you started:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
This is basically how i started the tank. Why do i have a problem?

Sorry, editing is slow and I meant to write more and it froze on me. You need to read the 101 tips to start a saltwater tank. That will help you allot.
Welcome to the site. I don’t want you think you are being flamed or picked on. Any tank, even freshwater needs time to adjust between new added fish. Too fast too soon is certain death for your critters. The good bacteria can’t grow fast enough o balance out the tank and you will have ammonia and nitrite spikes which will kill the fish.
Add only one fish a month. A starfish needs a 6 month or older tank. A yellow tang needs more room than a 55g. Your lionfish is going to get huge too. A lionfish will eat your CUC of snails and hermits. So you have critters that don’t belong in the same tank together, you have too many fish too soon, you have fish not suited for your tank size.
You have allot of problems and we haven’t even checked to see how you set up the tank, what kind of filtration or live rock and power heads…what kind of test kits you used and what were those results.
Two weeks, you are not ready for even one fish.
I take it the fish store is pulling my leg with telling me that its ok to put these fish in.
I have a cascade 1200 filter, i was told to go over board with the filter and my buddy had this laying around
Ill find out the name of the powerhead tonight.
The test kits were my friends i was using. not sure of the name (going tn to get my own)
What should i do about all my fish?
Never trust a LFS..they just want to sell you fish.
Return them all, keep the CUC. Wait a month...after research pick your first fish.
Get these books, they will save you a bundle and I am adding a page so you can see the kind of info they offer.



 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352304
Whats the CUC? and the fish store will take them back?
The CUC are your Clean Up C
rew..the snails and hermits
I don't know if the fish store will take them back..but go in there angry and demand a manager and thell them that they don't go together and are the wrong fish for your size tank. The lion is alright for a 55g but not with snails, hermits and damsels or a wrasse. Minimum tank size for a yellow tang is 75g.
No saltwater tank is ready in 2 weeks. Let alone adding a loinfish, a starfish, 3 damsels, a wrasse, a yellow tang and snails and hermit crabs all together for a 55g tank is insane. Never ever all at once! Chew them a new rear end while customers stand and watch.
I have to go...call the fish place and see what they have to say. Either there was a misunderstanding, your fish people are idiots, or they are rip offs and gave you wrong info on purpose to make a sale.. take you choice.
 

55newb

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352317
Quote:
Originally Posted by 55newb http:///forum/thread/383341/freshwater-dip-gone-badd#post_3352304
Whats the CUC? and the fish store will take them back?
The CUC are your Clean U
p C
rew..the snails and hermits
I don't know if the fish store will take them back..but go in there angry and demand a manager and thell them that they don't go together and are the wrong fish for your size tank. The lion is alright for a 55g but not with snails, hermits and damsels or a wrasse. Minimum tank size for a yellow tang is 75g.
No saltwater tank is ready in 2 weeks. Let alone adding a loinfish, a starfish, 3 damsels, a wrasse, a yellow tang and snails and hermit crabs all together for a 55g tank is insane. Never ever all at once! Chew them a new rear end while customers stand and watch.
I have to go...call the fish place and see what they have to say. Either there was a misunderstanding, your fish people are idiots, or they are rip offs and gave you wrong info on purpose to make a sale.. take you choice.
I will talk to them today being i have to bring back lights that they sold me.
I talk to a friend that owns a lfs. he said that i could possibly get away with leaving the lioin and wrasse in there but should prob take the starfish out. And im not that worried about the damsels.
What should i do about the possible ich in my tank?
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
This could be a long post LOL.
the ich will continue to breed as long as there is fish in the tank for it to live off of.
to kill the ich you take all the fish out and put them in a seperate tank (or in your case I'd try to bring them all back to the LFS)
while in the seperate tank they get a hypo treatment which is a lack of salt. read up on it in the stickies up top about treating ich. or you can also use copper, your choice. i prefer copper others prefer hypo. also read up on possible side effects of both treatments and make a decision based on what you think is best with the equipmet and fish you have.
If you have to keep the lion then i think copper is out since they don't do well with copper.
So now that you have a fishtank that is empty of all fish you just leave it empty for 6 weeks (longer the better) and the ich that is in the tank will die off due to not having any fish to host.
You have to cycle the tank and keep track of your paramters for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH. this usually takes 4-6 weeks to cycle before adding any fish at all for the first time.
Ammonia is deadly to fish.
in the freshwater dip, the PH may not have been matching to the tank PH he came out of which could be the casue of death. or maybe you didn't have the temp exactly right.
Frershwater dips will not toally kill ich, it will take off parasites on teh exterior of the fish, but any that have burried themselves inside the fish are safe from any kind of treatment until they get what they need and decide to leave to go reproduce.
The stickes on the top of this forum, the desise forum and any other stikies you can find will certainly point you in the right direction. There is hours worth of reading there, take in as much as you can.
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
I'd also like to note that not all local fish stores are evil.
If you are buying from ***** or soemthing you can usually expect bad results.
But there are usually some really good mom and pop type LFS's that are fantastic.
I like to test them. once you read those stickies and you have a fairly good handle on what is being said in them go inot your LFS that you think you might like to do bussiness with and tell them you want a lionfish and a nemo clown and see what he says. if the response is something along the lines of. That lion will eat that fish first chance it gets, then at the very least you know they aren't selling you fish just to sell fish. If they start to bag them up, then tell them you changed your mind and walk away.
Or you could do the same thing with an anemone, tell them you have stock tank lightinga nd want to get an anemone. if they start bagging it up walk away.
the good fish stores will have concern for the fish and know that buy making you a succesful hobbiest they are going to gain more bussiness than if they sold you a fish and it died or got eaten, you get discouraged and quit the hobby.
A really good LFS asks you the questions!
 

55newb

New Member
[*]
Thanks Jstdv8 for the information. I do not believe all lfs are bad. Im just upset that they sold me the fish with all the info i gave them. I am going to stop by the place tonight to return some lights and confront them about it. If they wont take them back ill just have to try and find someone who can keep them for me or sell them. Hoping i can get this taken care of.
Something along the line of my problem Ive been reading about QT and Refugium tanks and really dont totally understand if you use the water from your main tank or if they run on their own. I would imagine if you ran them together it would be pointless because what ever bad thing u get in your main tank will spread. Can someone clerify this for me?
 

srfisher17

Active Member
If you sell them; you are selling fish that are almost certainly carrying ich. This is a deadly parasite that will wipe out a tank if not treated. You're looking at a real problem, but please don't sell the problem to someone else. I'm afraid you could end up losing all your fish if you don't treat the ich ASAP. IMO & IME: only copper or hypo work. Don't let the lfs sell you anything else. (If you have to start over, please really read up on the hobby and ask lots of questions. It would be a shame to give up on a lifetime of enjoyment because of a bad start. You sure aren't the only one who has started this way. Knowledge & patience are the keys...and no lfs sells either. Just a rough estimate regarding patience; If you start a totally new tank today, 2 months from no you should have no more than one fish.
 

flower

Well-Known Member

A refugium is a safe place for tiny critters to breed and not be eaten by the fish. It feeds into the main tank and copepods and such swim between the two. Often it also has a deep sand bed and macroalgae to help reduce nitrates.
A QT (Quarantine Tank) is just that. It is alone nothing feeds into it or out of it. The fish are separated from the main tank and in quarantine until you are sure of their health.
A HT (hospital Tank) is place to treat sick fish with medicines and allow picked on fish to recuperate.
 
Top