we need help with small reef system

[rabbit_72]

Hey, nice to hear from someone in our neck of the woods! We go to the retail store almost every week. Jodi there has been trying to help us for months, but yes, buying a new tank, equipment and rock maybe our only chance. We may be able to buy some frags and put them in my hubby's tank until we get a new, killer-free system up and running. We will try disinfecting the equipment we have, but perhaps will upgrade the filter to a Tidepool, which Jodi had recommended for our future larger tank. I am very sad that this tank hasn't been the same since October. After all this time, you'd think any toxins or whatever would have worked it's way out. Hmmmm...

 

[trippkid]

I know I am late here, but near Harrisburg and York area. Very small town.

 

[rabbit_72]

Never too late! Furthest west in PA I ever got was Hershey and Shippinsburg!
So, my possibly last question on this tank would be, can we save the snailsand conch and put them in a QT to add back to a new system? Or would they contaminate a new tank? We have just decided to clean and disinfect what we can and buy new sand and live rock. Don't want to have to kill the poor snails... what did they ever do??

 

[ophiura]

I would consider trying some of Kent's various resins (eg organic resin and the like) that remove toxins. The problem is you don't know the source. It is conceivable that a new tank would not necessarily remove that source.
Commonly, toxins that kill fish will not impact inverts. It is possible in some respect that the coral problems are unrelated to some degree to the fish problems.

 

[rabbit_72]

we honestly do not believe the water is the problem. We have 4 other tanks, all use the R/O water from the same sink. All buckets used are only for the tanks and all have lids. So that leaves something in the tank or the equipment. The only thing we can come up is starting over. And this problem all started with the red algae that we were told was an infection. Darn stuff killed just about everything, corals and fish. And it continues to do so. We just don't know what else to do.

 

[tiberius]

I was wondering if you are running carbon in the tank now. I can't recall if you still were or not and don't feel like reading this whole thread again . Can that reef store send out your water to be tested? If they have been established for awhile, they might know of some people working in a lab and can test the water and it will show all the compounds in it. From there you can see what is good and bad in it. The reason I suggest this is I used to have an old canopy that was made out of wood and was coated with this resin used for saltwater boats. The resin where the canopy met the tank was breaking down and getting in the water. I used to have problems with this tank and my reef store got a sample of water and sent it to the university. She had a customer that worked there and the chemical was listed. So the canopy went out and got a Plexiglas one made.
I was wondering if you re-caulked the seams in the tank and used something not made for an aquarium. I know you had a lot of death in the tank. Did you have any fish that might of released a toxin when it died. I used to have a cowfish. When it died my mushrooms all looked sick for days. I didn't loose any of my other fish just did a massive water change and ran carbon.
Was also wondering if you are running enough carbon. I have a Magnum filter and I can load it with 2 lbs. of carbon. Is the carbon a new container?
I am sorry that you did loose another damsel. Did you ever see if your LFS has a oxygen test kit? Maybe that toxin is just depleting the dissolved oxygen in the water.

 

[rabbit_72]

Tiberius, we were missing your wisdome here!

Great idea about the water sample. Where we usually go, they have their own coral aquaculture facility, so I am sure they would have to have some advanced testing. But with the annual frag swap coming up, they are busier than ever. So we decided to have a little patience and wait until the frag swap is over to take any samples in. I really wish I could figure out how to shrink my photos so I could post them to this thread. Absolutely nothing around the tank could have fallen in and caused a problem and all fixtures are plastic, from the lighting(Orbit Compact Fluorescent fixture) to galss canopies. The kids can not lift the lid to add anything because the lights prevent us from moving the lid unless we llift it. Then the filter box and powerheads and skimmer. And yep, we use carbon, non-stop, 24/7. Used to have phosphate remover, but apparently hubby used the rest in his tank.
Let me try to remember what used to be in the tank.... I had a starry blenny (he was so cute!), two ocellaris clownfish(which are still alaive because we saved them and now they have been living in QT for about 6 mos.), Mandarin dragonet, feather duster, firefish. I think that was all the fish. Hubby might remember better... I'm pregnant and sometimes can't remeber my own name. But I tried not to overload with fish because corals were my main objective. I forgot, I had hermit crabs and snails ( of course) and Mithrax crabs. I still have snails and a conch. And lets not forget those pesky bristle worms.
As far as coral, I still have candy cane coral, but they look awful, mushroom corals and ricordia. Those are alive, but just look terrible. I used to have a beautiful tank with hairy shrooms, colony polyps, button polyps, starburst polyps (opps, forgot , those I still have, but what is left is poopy-looking too). And a few other pieces I can't remeber. We bought alot of frag peices last year, for just a little bit of $ and All gone. Forgot to mention before, that my corals were thriving and spreading. My starburst were gorgeous and flowing, spreading and shrooms were slpitting and spreading. I guess that'
s why it is so depressing!

Any help you can give me would be deeply apprciated!
P.S.- I am very happy we found this board. It's great, but almost as addicting as our tanks themselves!

 

[rabbit_72]

Forgot to answer your other question, we did not re-caulk the seams or anything. We have done that in my 55 gal FW, but they are happy and healthy!
Whether we clear up the current problem or not, we will upgrade my little systmen with new filter someday. We were recommended the Tidepool Bio-wheel Filtration. Or do you have a better recommendation for us?

 

[tiberius]

The only problem I had with those filters is if they clogged they overflowed. Or the filter floss would float up and a trickle could start flowing down the back side. Now maybe the brand you mentioned has been redesigned not to ever have these problems. IDK.
I would bring a couple of containers filled with water to that swap meet. You never know who will be there.
I would just see what that test will tell you before doing anything else with the tank.
I am not to familiar with conch shells in the aquarium. Maybe Ophiura can chime in on that one.

 

[rabbit_72]

Here's what I found on the conch...
Tongan Fighting Conch
(Strombus gibberulus)
Click here for a larger image
Quick Stats
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 4"
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Detritus, Omnivore
Origin: Tonga
Family: Strombidae
The Tongan Fighting Conch is a hardy member of the Strombidae family. Despite their name, they are peaceful toward other tank mates. They are excellent sand sifters, and are very beneficial in the reef aquarium. As they burrow and dig through the aquarium substrate, they clean and aerate the bottom. Tongan Fighting Conches require a deep sand bed and do well in all sizes of reef aquaria with supplemental feeding.
The Fighting Conch is an omnivore and will also consume detritus. Supply pieces of fresh fish and dried seaweed, as well as high quality frozen foods, to supplement what they will feed on from the bottom of the tank. They are sensitive to high levels of nitrate and will not tolerate copper-based medications.

 

[tiberius]

Is your surface water moving? Again, sorry if you did state that already in this thread. (I have a terrible memory and can't blame it on pregnancy which is scary!!)

 

[rabbit_72]

Originally Posted by Tiberius
Is your surface water moving? Again, sorry if you did state that already in this thread. (I have a terrible memory and can't blame it on pregnancy which is scary!!)

It must be all that beautiful Florida sunshine (I used to live in Kissimmee...I know!)
All water is moving on the suface. I have 3 powerheads. One is a Maxi-Jet, which points directly to the surface. The other 2 are Hagen AquaClear powerheads, both rated for a 50 gal tank, I do believe. One of them has a FLO Rotating Deflector. It moves the water in an ocean-like current in a circular motion.. The one without a deflector, my hubby reminded me that it is in reverse flow right now, becuse we were trying to make sure there were no "dead" spots in the live rock. Should I reverse the reverse flow?

 

[tiberius]

I never had any of mine on reverse flow.
I am so curious what that water test will show. When are you going to it?

 

[tiberius]

Also, run hot water on your containers and lids you will use to hold the water. Let them air dry and then fill.

 

[rabbit_72]

Well, the frag swap is the last weekend of June. The LFS is about 20 mi. away. And I don't really trust them. So, It will be a while. I am not normally a patient person, but this hobby is sure teaching me to be so. I really miss how beautiful it used to be.
For now, I am taking all this advice and putting it all together. I added a bubblestone in to boost O2, I hope, and will not do a water change until after the frag swap. Someone here suggested waiting 3 or 4 weeks before doing another one. I'll check the carbon and see about adding more, if we can. We will continue to do our tests and will see about an O2 test. I am calling my LFS right now and see if they sell a test.
Okay, they do sell a test. She says they are a little complicated, but they have them. Will check on pricing. She remeinded me we tried poly-filters to check for toxins. It would have turned red had there been any, but it never changed from white. She also said Julian Sprung will be at the conference and he might be able to help. Sounds cool. Can't wait! There will be many guest speakers there, so I am looking forward to getting alot of info. She also said they do not have the ability there to check for any toxins like you were able to do. Guess I am SOL on that one. But I'll keep digging.
After reading my first line of this post, I meant to say that the frag swap is not being done at the LFS that is 20 mins away. It reads a little confusing to even me.

 

[tiberius]

Julian Sprung!!! Give him your water!!!!
Maybe even print out a diary of the tank. Make copies and pass them to others to peruse later.
As for getting pics on here. Do you have your pics on photobucket? I use my software that came with my camera to resize. Some one on here mentioned about a freeware to do the same. I am sure you can Google it.

 

[rabbit_72]

Yep, Julian Sprung. When I heard he'd be there, I had renewed hope. This is just only one reason why I trust our LFS. To have such connections...wow. And the person who helps us at our LFS is Jodi and she really is great. Well informed and never, ever has tried to sell us things we don't need and won't sell us things we want if it isn't suitable to our tank. We love her and she even has treats for the kids!
We might just take bucket-fulls of water to the conference. And Jodi also suggested writing out a diary of events to talk with him and other speakers. We went last year, but only for a day. This year, we are taking the tours of the wharehouse and the aquaculture facility, attend the speeches and talk with every vendor there. I must admit, we are very excited.
I will let you know, if you want, how all goes.
Thanks!

 

[rabbit_72]

I finally can post pics...Yeah! Found out how on another thread....Thanks!
Here's what my candy cane coral currently looks like. Pity....
Hubby just told me that it was these Candy Canes that first caused my problems with the bacterial infection......

 

[rabbit_72]

This was my ricordia...well, at least what's left....

 

[rabbit_72]

Here's what's left of the starburst polyps...