Need some help
- Thread starter flower
- Start date
florida joe
Well-Known Member
sorry that sucks. how did you heater break and why is your ro unit only putting out 3 gallons a day
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3258403
I would leave the lights on 24 hours so the algae can expand to consume any ammonia spike.
I would also add macros to help.
If you do see signes of stress on the fish, I would measure both the total and free ammonia then only treat the tank with ammonia locks for the dangerous free ammonia.
I would them let the tank heal itself.
One good thing is that the fish are not showing signs of distress.
So hopefully things will settle down in a few weeks.
Of course, I would stop using heaters also.
my .02
OMG…I have just counted 4 open polyps from the green star on another rock..
Little tiny green lights are shining from the one on the tank bottom, no open blooms however. My Lettuce coral is dead…the edges are frayed not just slimed up. The mushrooms are small , but otherwise look fine. I turned on the MH lights, I had them off all day yesterday to try and calm the fish. Only the Hippo is in hiding, he even ate from behind the rock and won't venture to the font of the tank, the others are swimming around doing their thing. I think the GFCI outlets may have saved the tank more than I realized.
I am seeing a little movement from the hermits, I am going to have trouble figuring out who is alive and who is dead…the hermits drop like a rock if I touch them, is it playing dead or really dead??? They sleep in crevices during the day so how do I tell if it is asleep or dead????
The Plan: I am going to follow Henry, yours and others advice, and leave the rocks alone. Let the tank heal itself and hope for the best.
I am off to the stores…I am going to Wal-Mart with my trusty 5g jugs all 7 of them, and one 3g jug, the other 3g jug is going to stay attached to my own RO unit at home. It is still going to take another 24 hours to get the salt mixed and dissolved.
I am going to purchase some Start Cycle, stress coat and Amquel
I can’t quit using heaters…the tank is too cold, I live in Illinois on the Wisconsin border.
I will check at the LFS and see if they have Macro algae…
I am going to remove the sea fan because I am sure it’s dead. I don’t have the heart to keep its black skeleton as decoration as I have seen in other tanks. I love the lace look, but I remember it purple and happy. SNIFF, wiping a little tear off.
I will also remove the lettuce coral, it is breaking up around the edges aready. I haven’t reached into the tank yet, if the yellow Tonga feels soft, I will remove it, otherwise I will wait on that one too if its flesh still feels good and solid, same with the cabbage coral..
Thank you everyone for your help...say a little prayer for me.
http:///forum/post/3258403
I would leave the lights on 24 hours so the algae can expand to consume any ammonia spike.
I would also add macros to help.
If you do see signes of stress on the fish, I would measure both the total and free ammonia then only treat the tank with ammonia locks for the dangerous free ammonia.
I would them let the tank heal itself.
One good thing is that the fish are not showing signs of distress.
So hopefully things will settle down in a few weeks.
Of course, I would stop using heaters also.
my .02
OMG…I have just counted 4 open polyps from the green star on another rock..
Little tiny green lights are shining from the one on the tank bottom, no open blooms however. My Lettuce coral is dead…the edges are frayed not just slimed up. The mushrooms are small , but otherwise look fine. I turned on the MH lights, I had them off all day yesterday to try and calm the fish. Only the Hippo is in hiding, he even ate from behind the rock and won't venture to the font of the tank, the others are swimming around doing their thing. I think the GFCI outlets may have saved the tank more than I realized.I am seeing a little movement from the hermits, I am going to have trouble figuring out who is alive and who is dead…the hermits drop like a rock if I touch them, is it playing dead or really dead??? They sleep in crevices during the day so how do I tell if it is asleep or dead????
The Plan: I am going to follow Henry, yours and others advice, and leave the rocks alone. Let the tank heal itself and hope for the best.
I am off to the stores…I am going to Wal-Mart with my trusty 5g jugs all 7 of them, and one 3g jug, the other 3g jug is going to stay attached to my own RO unit at home. It is still going to take another 24 hours to get the salt mixed and dissolved.
I am going to purchase some Start Cycle, stress coat and Amquel
I can’t quit using heaters…the tank is too cold, I live in Illinois on the Wisconsin border.
I will check at the LFS and see if they have Macro algae…
I am going to remove the sea fan because I am sure it’s dead. I don’t have the heart to keep its black skeleton as decoration as I have seen in other tanks. I love the lace look, but I remember it purple and happy. SNIFF, wiping a little tear off.
I will also remove the lettuce coral, it is breaking up around the edges aready. I haven’t reached into the tank yet, if the yellow Tonga feels soft, I will remove it, otherwise I will wait on that one too if its flesh still feels good and solid, same with the cabbage coral..
Thank you everyone for your help...say a little prayer for me.
spanko
Active Member
IMO remove everything that you know is dead with the exception of coral. Amquel or a like product to lock the ammonia and water changes to remove it. If nothing else purchase some distilled water to supplement your RODI units output.
I will defer to our macro algae guy here on his suggestions for macro algae and lighting as I cannot speak to them.
I will defer to our macro algae guy here on his suggestions for macro algae and lighting as I cannot speak to them.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3258418
What's with the macro? I missed that, I think.
Beaslbob....is a macro person
http:///forum/post/3258418
What's with the macro? I missed that, I think.
Beaslbob....is a macro person
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3258411
sorry that sucks. how did you heater break and why is your ro unit only putting out 3 gallons a day
Ever hear that old saying..if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
Well a few days ago I was told my tank was too warm. 82/84 …After having it that warm for 2 years, so I reached into my tank and got my ancient heater all crusty from coraline algae out from behind the rocks where I hide it so I don’t see it.
It got hooked on a rock and I tugged it free. I scraped the coralline off of the top so I could turn the dial down to 79. Then replaced the heater back behind the rocks.
When I got home from work, before lights the came on the next morning (moonlights only) I noticed my skimmer was over flowed AGAIN, and I was messing with it when the GFCI outlets blew, I assumed it was my skimmer. I reset the outlets, all came on like it should. The corals were all drawn up, I had just upped the SG the day before, the skimmer, by overflowing caused my ATO to fill the tank with RO water…my SG dropped again down to 1.024 from the 1.026 I wanted. I thought my SG was why my corals drew up and looked unhappy…to much change too fast I feared. I figured give it a day, they will be okay.
Later the next day I was going to test my water, because the corals look really bad, too bad for the cause to be a small drop in the SG…When I noticed something floating…it was the top off the heater…it had broke and split. That was why the GFCI outlets had blew, not only that but I had the heater plugged in all that time…I don’t know if it had a stray current or not, I hope it just blew and died.
So that is my tale of woe.
http:///forum/post/3258411
sorry that sucks. how did you heater break and why is your ro unit only putting out 3 gallons a day
Ever hear that old saying..if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
Well a few days ago I was told my tank was too warm. 82/84 …After having it that warm for 2 years, so I reached into my tank and got my ancient heater all crusty from coraline algae out from behind the rocks where I hide it so I don’t see it.
It got hooked on a rock and I tugged it free. I scraped the coralline off of the top so I could turn the dial down to 79. Then replaced the heater back behind the rocks.
When I got home from work, before lights the came on the next morning (moonlights only) I noticed my skimmer was over flowed AGAIN, and I was messing with it when the GFCI outlets blew, I assumed it was my skimmer. I reset the outlets, all came on like it should. The corals were all drawn up, I had just upped the SG the day before, the skimmer, by overflowing caused my ATO to fill the tank with RO water…my SG dropped again down to 1.024 from the 1.026 I wanted. I thought my SG was why my corals drew up and looked unhappy…to much change too fast I feared. I figured give it a day, they will be okay.
Later the next day I was going to test my water, because the corals look really bad, too bad for the cause to be a small drop in the SG…When I noticed something floating…it was the top off the heater…it had broke and split. That was why the GFCI outlets had blew, not only that but I had the heater plugged in all that time…I don’t know if it had a stray current or not, I hope it just blew and died.
So that is my tale of woe.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3258420
Flower, put some SW in a container, and put the corals you are unsure of in that.....JUST IN CASE
Without the lights won't they will die anyway.
I have to get out of here and get to the now open stores.
Cranberry: Thanks for the support. Just cry with me....won't macro algae help?
Joe: The container under the sink is 3g, which fills over night and is plenty for my top offs and it takes a few days for a regular water change…I can get another 3 by attaching a 3g jug to the little faucet, but it takes a very long time. It’s a 5 stage and it just drips.
http:///forum/post/3258420
Flower, put some SW in a container, and put the corals you are unsure of in that.....JUST IN CASE
Without the lights won't they will die anyway.
I have to get out of here and get to the now open stores.
Cranberry: Thanks for the support. Just cry with me....won't macro algae help?
Joe: The container under the sink is 3g, which fills over night and is plenty for my top offs and it takes a few days for a regular water change…I can get another 3 by attaching a 3g jug to the little faucet, but it takes a very long time. It’s a 5 stage and it just drips.
spanko
Active Member
IMO leave the dead coral in the tank. The less you mess with things the better.
1. Take out the known dead things that you can get at (but not the coral)
2. Use some Amquel or similar product to bind up the ammonia.
3. Do water changes to remove the bound up ammonia.
Relax and let nature take it's course.
1. Take out the known dead things that you can get at (but not the coral)
2. Use some Amquel or similar product to bind up the ammonia.
3. Do water changes to remove the bound up ammonia.
Relax and let nature take it's course.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3258424
IMO leave the dead coral in the tank.
The sea fan and lettuce too?
http:///forum/post/3258424
IMO leave the dead coral in the tank.
The sea fan and lettuce too?
spanko
Active Member
IMO coral are a lot more resilient than most give them credit for. If a skeleton has any amount of live tissue left on it there is a chance for it to come back eventually. The amount of dead tissue on a coral skeleton in our tanks would not be of worry to me if.....
I was locking up any ammonia I see anyway.
I was performing water changes to remove the locked up ammonia anyway.
My skimmer was running and my filtration was running and I was doing extra maintenance on them to ensure their proper performance.
That's just me though.
I was locking up any ammonia I see anyway.
I was performing water changes to remove the locked up ammonia anyway.
My skimmer was running and my filtration was running and I was doing extra maintenance on them to ensure their proper performance.
That's just me though.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3258426
Don't know what the lettuce means. but yes leave the sea fan.
A lettuce coral is a leather coral that looks alot like a cabbage but with thicker skin. I have had it since the beginning of my saltwater tanks. Okay now I am crying...
http:///forum/post/3258426
Don't know what the lettuce means. but yes leave the sea fan.
A lettuce coral is a leather coral that looks alot like a cabbage but with thicker skin. I have had it since the beginning of my saltwater tanks. Okay now I am crying...
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3258419
Beaslbob....is a macro person
But what are we saying to do with it? And what types are we talking about.
http:///forum/post/3258419
Beaslbob....is a macro person
But what are we saying to do with it? And what types are we talking about.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3258414
:
...
I am going to purchase some Start Cycle, stress coat and Amquel
also get a test kit that measures both free and total ammonia. And only use the chemicals to lock up the free ammonia.
I can’t quit using heaters…the tank is too cold, I live in Illinois on the Wisconsin border.
I will check at the LFS and see if they have Macro algae…
...
.
You might also check with local hobbiests. They are probably tossing out some chaeto or caulerpas every week or so.
You can also partition the tank into a macro area (even just a corner) and fish/coral area. Then add some side lighting so the macro gets lights from only a few inches. I think you will find the with fast growing macros many many benefits will results.
hope it recovers and sorry for your losses.
my .02
http:///forum/post/3258414
:
...
I am going to purchase some Start Cycle, stress coat and Amquel
also get a test kit that measures both free and total ammonia. And only use the chemicals to lock up the free ammonia.
I can’t quit using heaters…the tank is too cold, I live in Illinois on the Wisconsin border.
I will check at the LFS and see if they have Macro algae…
...
.
You might also check with local hobbiests. They are probably tossing out some chaeto or caulerpas every week or so.
You can also partition the tank into a macro area (even just a corner) and fish/coral area. Then add some side lighting so the macro gets lights from only a few inches. I think you will find the with fast growing macros many many benefits will results.
hope it recovers and sorry for your losses.
my .02
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3258436
But what are we saying to do with it? And what types are we talking about.
LOL...I have no clue....see post #20
http:///forum/post/3258436
But what are we saying to do with it? And what types are we talking about.
LOL...I have no clue....see post #20
flower
Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,
Update time.
No Macro Algae, the LFS didn’t have any Amquel either. The kid didn’t even know what I was talking about and went and brought me some off the wall version of Cycle. The white version of charcoal that said it would remove ammonia all said for freshwater only.
The Cycle, I purchased and already put in the tank. I then got a bunch of Purigen because it says it has unparalleled capacity to remove organic waste and polishes better than a diatom filter, and can be regenerated. It was the only thing I could find. I put that in a mesh bag tied to the center brace right in front of a power head. I also got one of those alarm discs for ammonia so I could keep a constant tab on things besides the ammonia tests, not to replace my tests. The disc says everything is still in the safe zone; the fish still are not stressed at all.
I also treated the tank with Stress coat, to ease the fish.
I got Wal-Mart water for .37 a gallon. I have the tub churning with new saltwater as I type. Also the Green star polyps that were buried by the sand sifter are just fine.
I have accounted for all my fish except the lawnmower blenny. He likes the rocks, so he may still be in there someplace. I saw a chunk of white meat floating, it looked like shrimp meat. The fish were enjoying it so I left it in there.
I may not have macro algae but I do let algae grow on the sides and back of my tank for the tangs to nibble at, so I do have that in there doing their thing too.
I have not gone to sleep yet and I still have to go to work tonight. So I guess its nap time for me.
I want to say..you guys are great, I was wreck this morning and being able to talk to you guys not only gave me good advice but I didn’t feel so all alone and desperate not knowing what to do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.