Need help fast, Please read!!

[jond]

I will try to keep this as short as possible.
37 gal. mixed reef
45-50 lbs live rock
4" DSB
Emporer 280 (no bio-wheel)
3 Maxi jet powerheads
Seaclone Protein skimmer
15 months old
Water Parameters:
Salinity: 1.022
PH: 8.2
Alk: 6.0 meq/l
Calcium: 325 ppm
Phosphates: .02
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites:0
Nitrates:10
Problem: Lost cleaner shrimp, green chromis and Maroon clown is on the verge. All corals are doing great, and the other fish seem normal. I noticed recently that my skimmer has a reddish tint to the waste, and I just looked at the filter pad in the Emporer and it is stained the same reddish tint. It has never looked like that. Also, the smell has been funky the last week or so. There are no dead fish in the tank or anything I can think would be fouling the water. No change in food or additives.
There is no sign of disease on the maroon and his breathing is not fast, if anything maybe slow. He is not swimming much and will roll over on his back every now and then.
I recently added two sandsiffting stars, and since in the tank they have been on top of each other. I seperated them once, and they just went back. They are moving around so I know they are still alive.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[predator]

I would do a water change, switch filter media and post this on the disease foram. I'm not real framiliar with sicknesses but I know you need to get those nit. down and changing the media will help not only bring more out, but keep from putting any back in.
Good Luck!! <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[jond]

Thanks for the info. My nitrates have been coming down since adding the DSB, but I don't think that 10 is all that high. I don't think that is the root of my problem. I changed the carbon filter, and I will probably do a water change tommorow.

 

[jester]

Any chance someone added something to it? Did you lose the fish, or are they dead? check your power head gaurds to make sure they are still there. Do a water change and media change. also, make sure you are using black carbon in the extra media containers.

 

[jond]

By lose, I meant dead. All habitants are accounted for. The clown is hanging in there, but not looking good.
Please keep the input coming, I can't figure this out.

 

[25gator]

i'm with jester, got any enemys! jelous girlfreind, mad wife! anyway i'd do a water change, just in case.
good luck!

 

[mr . salty]

This red stuff in the filter and skimmer,,,Does it smell like this "funk" you talked about??? Is it slimey???I'm thinking this is the root of your trouble...Skimmer output is ususlly brownish green....You also say these new startfish are on top of each other.Could they be mating???Could this red sludge be starfish eggs,or something.I am just guessing here,but kinda strange that you just added these stars,thay are acting strange,,and this red "goo" is appearing everywhere.

 

[discusking]

This red stuff could be a suspended species of red algae. this could be food for your corals and a toxin for your fish. good luck

 

[jond]

I also had that thought with the starfish. My skimmer has always made the normal goo. I am still running the Emperor, because it is a good source of water circulation with a convenient way to run carbon. The filter I speak of is just the carbon with the pre-filter on it. I change is at least every 4 weeks.

 

[broomer5]

Have you or do you dose any additives - especially iron ?
This is a stretch - but iron oxide is a reddish color ( rust ) and I'm pretty sure certain bacteria can assimilate iron out of the saltwater. Maybe the new starfish introduced a new unfamiliar strain of these bacteria, and you've got a bloom. Or the algae theory as stated above by DiscusKing seems possible, and more likely.
I know - really grasping at staws here now, but it does sound like an unusual set of conditions you have there jond, and I'm stumped.
Any biochemists out there ?

 

[uncle fester]

What color are your sand-sifting starts? Are they dropping limbs and/or beginning to disintegrate. Had a similar prob once w/ green brittle stars

 

[uncle fester]

You might also try boosting efficiency of skimmer. May not help, but certainly can't hurt. Found tips for this at: <a href="http://www.reefsuk.org/Marine%20Aquariums/Articles/Seaclone.htm" target="_blank">http://www.reefsuk.org/Marine%20Aquariums/Articles/Seaclone.htm</a>
Personally never had good luck w/ seaclone skimmers.

 

[jond]

I dose the usual additives and have not done anything different lately. Maybe it is some sort of waterborne alegae, who knows. I have changed the filter, and will probably do a water change tommorow. I do think it is something very isolated and specialized. I don't think it is some major water quality problem. It came on too quick, and my water parameters are really quite good.
I still find the behavior of these stars strange and wish I knew if they were mating or what.
I still would like any input you have to offer, and greatly appreciate all that has been given.
Thanks