what have i done?

[azzala]

i have worked on learning this hobby for about a year. i started with a 30 gal and graduated to a 70 gal preowned reef tank used for fish only. i have had fish die due lack of experience and amonia, but this last problem i don't understand. I lost a damsel, a tang, and at some point tonight i will loose a pajama fish, (the only remaining - a maroon clown seems to be more understanding) I checked the water, the ph was 8.0 and the alk 1.7. everything else seems fine. what is going on? the fish are dark colored and dropping like flies. what happened?

 

[mrc07]

what are your other readings? lr/ls? what type of filter? how long has the tank been up?

 

[beth]

Ammonia? Nitrite? Nitrate? Filtration? Water temp?
Your ph is too low.

 

[azzala]

I bought the tank used and set it up quickly so the live sand should still be healthy. The tank pulls water off the top of the aquarium into lower chambers where the water goes though the biofilter and skimmer and then is pumped back up into the aquarium. The tank has been set up for over 4 months. All other test were within normal ranges. And the temp has been constant at 78. I know the ph is off but I didn't think it was off by enough to kill all the fish in the tank.

 

[goofieones]

I don't think the PH is so low that it would start killing all the fish. It could be higher, but my PH stays at a constant 8.0, for the last 3 months and I have had no problems.

 

[bobj]

If the ammonia and nitrite levels are normal than it is unlikely that the problem is an increase in the biological load e.g. dying ls.
The most likely answer is a chemical toxin.
Ls will form pockets of hydrogen sulfide but these are usually stable and not discharged into the tank.
If you have added some terrestrial rock for decoration it may contain some heavy metal that has leached into your system.
Has copper been added to the tank?
Remove the fish that is left and start some activated carbon filtration.

 

[misty927]

Hey azzala...I'm also from Austin. What lfs do you usually go to? We frequent Gallery of Pets (good specimen), Pet Connection (in Cedar Park, lots of fish), Aqua Dome (lots of corals, anenomes), and Aqua-Tek (good equipment, never have variety of fish though). Do you know of any other places besides these?? Good to know I'm not the only one in Austin who also enjoys this hobby!!

 

[azzala]

Thanks bobj. I will see what I can find out on the subject and move the one fish who survived. It is hard to correct a problem when I don't know what it is.
Misty, I go to Gallery of Pet and amazingly the ***** (north) has a pretty good selection of fish and even some knowlegeable sale people but I like localy owned places so I go to the Gallery most. How long have you been a saltwater hobbyist? I am begining to wonder if I will ever get this system figured out.

 

[azzala]

I forgot to answer bobj other questions...
no copper has gotten into the tank. I have a Qtank for meds and haven't used any copper based treatments. I have shells and dead coral for decoration. Thank again for all for your help with this
az

 

[badfishy]

well, as per what has been said.. try to do this... mix a batch of new water and transfer fish to QT tank..... If he dies... he may have a fungal infection that is internal. If not then your corals where leaching something into the water. Check your water for any discoloration or any unusuall smells. Good luck with your problem

 

[misty927]

Well, I've only been in saltwater for about five months. I like Gallery of Pets also. Have you ever been to any of the other places I mentioned? And which *****...the one off of I-35 or by Arboretum?

 

[azzala]

I have not tried the other stores you mentioned. Gallery of Pets and the Arboretum ***** are very close to my house. I have thought about visiting Aqua-Tek but just haven't gotten around to it. Good to know they have supplies. Feel free to email me about how your tank is getting along and if I find out what happened to mine I will be sure to let you know. Maybe you can avoid the same mistakes.

 

[otto13]

okay, here is the low down in austin.
aquatek is probably the best as far as knowledge and variety, but talk about poor customer service. you have to sit there for a week before anyone will help you. gallery of pets has a pretty good selection AND they are starting a shark and stingray tank this week. yeahhhhh!!!! pet connection is alright. i think they are more freshwater oriented, but i do find some interesting things there sometimes. way too far north. aquadome is really laid back and you can work with the owner on deals sometimes.... water quality is not as good as it should be. there are three petcos in austin. brodie, hancock and the arboretum. they all have a decent inventory, but they DO NOT take care or care about their inventory. there is a store out in round rock that carries saltwater, but i cant remember the name and i dont really go out there. feel free to email me at lwallace@amtelco.com
my wife and i go to these stores all the time and i know all the cool tricks and drop names.

 

[azzala]

You will be getting an email from me! I just saw the new tanks a Gallery of Pets. They have a lot of new equipment too.