inverts dying immediately

[kev.1979]

i purchased a janitor crew from my lfs and floated them for an hour and when a released them the brittle starfish, all snails died and 24 hours later the emerald crab keeps flipping on his back for hours at a time and then will turn back over, but the blue leg crabs seem to be moving around slowly. i also purchased a coral beauty and he seems to be fine?
ph 8.1
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 10
the tank is 7 weeks old, any help would be appreciated

 

[alix2.0]

did you drip acclimate them or just temperature?

 

[1journeyman]

what is your salinity and how are you testing it?

 

[1journeyman]

Welcome ot the forums, btw

 

[kev.1979]

just temp, salinity 1.023

 

[parker171]

maybe there was a difference in the salinity, i would drip

 

[alix2.0]

inverts are more sensitive to parameter changes than fish, you need to drip acclimate.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/acclimation.php
also your salinity is kind of low. most of us keep it around 1.025 .
are you using a hydrometer or refractometer to measure your salinity?

 

[jtrzerocool]

next time you acclimate somthing follow the SWF way...they have pictures and everything...it is very easy to follow...it is right under the money back gaurentee to the left...

 

[kev.1979]

thank you so much, you guys and girls are quick !

 

[kev.1979]

hydrometer

 

[alix2.0]

i (and most other SWFers) would reccomend getting a refractometer. much more accurate. they dont sell them on this site anymore, but you can search for it on google...

 

[kev.1979]

thanks

 

[kclester]

i agree with alix2.0

 

[steeliathunder]

you can also get your hydrometer calibrated at your lfs. thats what i did until i can buy a refractometer. mine runs .004 low, so i just add that to what it is reading for a more accurate (but not perfect) solution. also in small tanks you gotta top off with RO every day because salinity swings alot and stresses inverts.
i do plan on upgrading to the refractometer soon.

 

[swalchemist]

I don't think salinity was the factor here, nor acclimation it seems something else would be to blame. Try a Phosphate test inverts are sensitive to high levels. Also is there a chance that any copper could have gotten into your tank? Did you fill it with a garden hose? Acclimation is simple a SOP is to drip acclimate using a small thumb valve to set the drip rate to allow your tank water to mix with the water in the bag slowly over a period of several hours then add to your tank. This negates osmotic shock which is the leading cause of death in new arrivals.

 

[zman1]

Copper Level?

 

[crashbandicoot]

do you have fish in the tank ? How are they acting ?

 

[alix2.0]

he says the coral beauty is acting normally...

 

[rcreations]

I personally think the hydrometers they sell in LFS are junk. I bought two different ones, they give different readings each time. If you get even the tiniest air bubble stuck on that plastic needle, it'll give you a false reading. A refractometer is a good investment.

 

[perfectdark]

+1 While I dont think SG is your issue calibrated or not from your LFS wont take away human error at home when you use it. If you have small bubbles under the swing arm that will definatly give you a false reading.
But if your fish is ok and your inverts are dying in less than 24 hrs IMO you have a chemical issue or deficiency of some kind.