Help! Tank In Distress! Help Needed Immediately!

[ck_503]

I have a 42 gallon tank and have had it without incident for a year and a half. I just cleaned the tank today and cleaned the skimmer as well. The tank looks great, the corals look attentive and fine, and the skimmer and all other equipment are working fine. My fish are breathing VERY heavy. My basselet is at the bottom of the tank and struggling. Everything is working fine and I only have the equipment unplugged for maybe 10 minutes today. I did nothing out of the normal to have caused this. I finished by topping it off with reverse osmosis fresh water. I don't want to awake tomorrow to a tank of dead fish. All my levels seem normal. I added calcium today just as I usually do. Nothing was done today to warrant this. I'm just confused b/c I can't find a source to fix this problem. My nitrates and everything are at 0. My water is crytstal clear. I'm thinking Oxygen problem. PLEASE HELP! Thanks.

 

[bigarn]

Exactly what do you mean by "cleaned the tank"?

 

[ck_503]

I cleaned the green algae off the walls using my magnetic brush. I cleaned the skimmer filter, sponge, and pump. I had to turn it off to clean out the pump. I didn't do anything that I haven't been doing for the past year without fail. It's only the fish. My pulsing xenias which rely on Oxygen as well are fine. All corals are fine. My shrimp and even my hermits seem to be having problems. I've noticed that they are trying to get to the top to breathe...I've pointed a powerhead to the top hoping it might help. PLEASE PROVIDE SOME SUGGESTIONS! THANKS!

 

[bigarn]

The only thing I can suggest is to stop adding calcium and do a large water change asap.
If possible .. run carbon.

 

[ck_503]

I wouldn't be able to do a water change until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest as it's now midnight and my saltwater store doesn't open till noon. Any chance that they might last that long? I don't have another tank to transfer them to. I need suggestions on how to help create more oxygen to help them survive till then. Please, I'm desparate!

 

[bigarn]

If you have a spare pump and tubeing or airstone, hook it up if you think the tank is oxygen depleted.
Hopefully this will help until tomorrow, or until you get more advice. Good Luck

 

[ck_503]

no other advice?!?

 

[timmytang]

When you "cleaned" the tank did you stir up the bottom ?
If you did that is the source of the sudden oxygen depletion.
I know because that happened to me once and the fish were breathing heavily
and some died right before my eyes before I added a air line with bubbles to save the rest of the tank.
I hope this helped

 

[fishamajig]

I had a similar situation when I first started my tank. I didnt know how to test for cal and I put in a cal reef suppliment. The next morning all of my fish were dead and the water was cloudy. Do you test for cal? what do you put in to raise your cal level?

 

[lillibirdy]

Fishamajig, I was told that calcium levels being high won't kill fish. But, I been fighting that since changing salt in my QT and HAVE lost several fish. Do you really think that is what happened to yours? How high was it?
TimmyTang, Can you explain why stirring up the bottom depleted oxygen?
KathyW

 

[fishamajig]

I dont know how high it was all i know is that i added a cal suppliment and didnt test for it cause all i knew at the time was cal promotes corraline, so i went to the lfs and bought a cal booster. the next day all the fish were dead one was still (kinda) alive and breathing real heavy and the water was all hazy. all I am saying is that might be what happened. It happened to me.

 

[queenangel920]

Okay this may sound like a dumb answer but I'm just looking at ALL the possibilies that haven't been said. You quote "I finished by topping it off with reverse osmosis fresh water". Just making sure you added salt water to that fresh water, right?

 

[bigarn]

If it is used for topping off, it should be freshwater.

 

[queenangel920]

Oh, ok, I got the impression he did a water change too.

 

[wax32]

I'm guessing stirred up sand causing oxygen loss. I'd say ammonia problems too, but corals usually react to that first and you say they aren't. You didn't use any soap or anything that might've previously touched soap or cleansers when you cleaned your skimmer parts did you?

 

[houndhome1]

what was the salinlty when you were changed the water. to much or to little will distress your fish. That is why they are appearing to be breathing heavy. When fish become distressed they flair there gills. it is not nessary an o2 problem.