I mentioned the other day that I lost a sandsifting starfish, we'll he isn't the only thing I'm losing. Before I was overcome with Stometella (sp?) snails, and now I can't find any. I noticed the day before yesterday that none of the corals were opened up when I came home. I went a ahead and pulled out the test kits and could barely get a reading on Iodine/Iodide and on the calcium. Amonia, NitrIte, & NitrAte all came back 0. Decided to do a 3 gallon water change, well it didn't help. Tonight all the corals are closed, toadstool bent over, etc. Fish seem fine. Tested for the Am., trIes, trAres and all still coming back 0. Getting ready to go test Iodine/Iodide and Calcium again(after the 3 gallon WC these levels lifted). Any idea as to what could be happening here? Temp is a steady 79 since the Jebo heater was added about a month ago. Salinity is 1.026.
Help!
- Thread starter Jennie
- Start date
djconn
New Member
Have you lost any corals yet? All your parameters seem okay. What is your alk reading?
I'd aim for about 1.023 for salinity but I don't think that is the problem. I'd wait another day or so then just do a massive water change (40-70%). Test your made-up water before you change it out.
Have you recently changed salts? Bummer
I'd aim for about 1.023 for salinity but I don't think that is the problem. I'd wait another day or so then just do a massive water change (40-70%). Test your made-up water before you change it out.
Have you recently changed salts? Bummer
I don't have an Alk test kit, looking for one today. As to the salt, no I haven't changed recently. Something I forgot to mention is the PH. When I tested before the water change I got a 8.0 reading, might have even been a 7.9. I've had a bottle of Kent's Pro Buffer dKh. I used 4 drops for 3 or so days to bring the Ph up, and tested last night and it is 8.2 ish. Other than that, its just trace elements for the tank about once a week.
What size tank is this again?Jennie said:
What type of test kits are you using?
Have you changed your lights recently?
How old are the bulbs?
If you're barely getting a reading on calcium then your alk, and usually your PH will be off as well, or will be going through swings.
Since its your inverts that showed the first signs of trouble is it possible that copper somehow got in the system?
Other things to consider would be has there been any cleaning in the room with chemicals that may be affecting the tank or perhaps a visit from the exterminator? I wish you luck, Skip
Other things to consider would be has there been any cleaning in the room with chemicals that may be affecting the tank or perhaps a visit from the exterminator? I wish you luck, Skip
mikeguerrero
Active Member
Jeanie,
Did you say you pissed off the housekeeper? If you did, I believe if all your water parameters are in check I smell foul play.
Not to point a finger but all it takes is rubbing alcohol a clear liquid to be introduced into the tank and you won't see it but it will drastically affect your inverts.
However, you say you fish are okay, they should at least be breathing irregular.
I had foul play on my tanks when I was in college, too many vistors and one of them targeted my tank thinking it was my roomates, bummer huh, I lost everything in my tank.
Hope it's not foul play.
Mike
Did you say you pissed off the housekeeper? If you did, I believe if all your water parameters are in check I smell foul play.
Not to point a finger but all it takes is rubbing alcohol a clear liquid to be introduced into the tank and you won't see it but it will drastically affect your inverts.
However, you say you fish are okay, they should at least be breathing irregular.
I had foul play on my tanks when I was in college, too many vistors and one of them targeted my tank thinking it was my roomates, bummer huh, I lost everything in my tank.
Hope it's not foul play.
Mike
I did happen to piss of the housekeeper, I just asked her if she knew where my diamond earrings were...found them the next day back in my jewelry box :evil: . But...I can't see her doing something so evil. Not blaming her by any mean, please don't think that I am, just at wits end here. I bought 3 gallons of distilled water today to do another water change (normally use windmill RO). Wish my tank luck!
It could easily be a cleaning chemical since you have a housekeeper. All that it would take is for her to dust or clean windows too close to the tank and a small amount of spray could end up in the tank. Of course now you need to concentrate on saving everyone in the tank, run carbon and do water changes as long as all of your parameters still read good. Another possibility would be to add a polyfilter.
I went yesterday afternoon and picked up another amonia test kit and sure enough, the one I had was bad. My amonia is off the charts. I did the 3 gallon water change and will get more water today and just continue with a strict WC schedule to minimize any more damage. As the corals look now, I don't think any will make it. Did happen to catch one of the biggest BW buy accident (he's now in 5.5). He's huge, and very healthy. Why isn't the amonia effecting all the Bristleworms? I've lost not a single one by the looks of them, also it seems that my coraline is going wacky! Is the coraline somehow converting this disaster to it's advantage?