starting over

[daisy]

I have a 55 gal FO tank and I've been doing this for a little over a year. I've got only three fish in the tank -- a yellow tang with HLLE, a sailfin tang with HLLE and a maroon clown who is doing great. I have a sally lightfoot, a turbo snail and three hermits. I can't seem to get the tangs well, and I'm reaching the end of my rope. Every time I look at my tank, I get depressed and feel like a failure fish-keeper. I feed them broccoli daily, Zoe-soaked seaweed selects, and Formula 2 frozen cubes of whatever-it-is with spirulina. The yellow refuses to eat and looks terrible! I've got a protein skimmer and a 2-biowheel something or other (penguine, marineland, I forget exactly what it's called)
I feel like starting over -- I don't want these fish to die, but I can't take them staying like this. How do I make them well?!? I am so frustrated I feel like starting over!

 

[beth]

I empathize, as I had exactly the same problem with my hippo and yellow tangs. They got HLLE almost since I got them and lived for 2 yrs with it until finally they died.
I tried everything to no avail. Don't feel like a failure. I have seen tangs with HLLE in public aquariums! It is a common ailment with these fish. You will just have to let them pass away, as it sounds like they are pretty sick at this point anyway.
What are your nitrate levels in the tank?