Lance's 225 gal tank

fishytime · #1 03-07-2009, 04:18 AM

I have noticed thru my own observations and in talking to others who come in to the shop, that one fish or one move, can completely change the whole complexion of a tank. We had an emperor angel in our display tank at the shop for several months. He never munched on anything other than zoas. A regular customer of ours and member here, had been asking Kevin about the fish for quite some time. About 3 wks ago and after some doing, we managed to catch the fish out of the display and home it went. The angel then proceeded to eat several corals (we of course took the fish back).Somewhere between our display and buddies tank the angel decided to snap. I also have an angel story...I recently removed a bi-color angel (because he also snapped and started eating corals) and after that my flame angel turned into an a$$. When the flame had the bi-color to chase around he left every thing else alone. Now he has taken to asserting himself every chance he can. I wonder sometimes what goes on in those little brains.

Lance · #2 03-07-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

I have noticed thru my own observations and in talking to others who come in to the shop, that one fish or one move, can completely change the whole complexion of a tank. We had an emperor angel in our display tank at the shop for several months. He never munched on anything other than zoas. A regular customer of ours and member here, had been asking Kevin about the fish for quite some time. About 3 wks ago and after some doing, we managed to catch the fish out of the display and home it went. The angel then proceeded to eat several corals (we of course took the fish back).Somewhere between our display and buddies tank the angel decided to snap. I also have an angel story...I recently removed a bi-color angel (because he also snapped and started eating corals) and after that my flame angel turned into an a$$. When the flame had the bi-color to chase around he left every thing else alone. Now he has taken to asserting himself every chance he can. I wonder sometimes what goes on in those little brains.

When the Emperor came back did he go back to his old ways in the DT or did he continue to eat corals? It is strange how some fish can change so quickly like that.

lobsterboy · #3 03-07-2009, 07:10 AM

same story with me, i had a unicorn tang in my tank, nice size about 2.5lb, never bothered anything,, then one day i was watching tv and looked over at the tank, and he was having my GSP colony for supper. I flipped him a hand jesture and two mintues later he splashed water out of the tank at me.

fishytime · #4 03-07-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

When the Emperor came back did he go back to his old ways in the DT or did he continue to eat corals? It is strange how some fish can change so quickly like that.

Um...actually the angel didnt make it back into the display....he is in a large fowlr tank now with several largish fish waiting to go to a project at a local car dealership. We wernt gonna take the chance putting him back in our display. Its kinda too bad because he is one of my favorite resident fish at the store.

fishytime · #5 03-07-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobsterboy

same story with me, i had a unicorn tang in my tank, nice size about 2.5lb, never bothered anything,, then one day i was watching tv and looked over at the tank, and he was having my GSP colony for supper. I flipped him a hand jesture and two mintues later he splashed water out of the tank at me.

A fish that eats GSP??? Did you give him a golden tank and name him king??? I know of a few peeps that would pay big bucks for a GSP eating fish.

Lance · #6 03-09-2009, 10:43 PM

I lost my new Chocolate Tang.

I found him dead this morning and am feeling very guilty as he was the picture of health while in QT. If you've read this thread you know I've been battling an Ich problem; brought to the tank via my Harlequin Tuskfish. After extensive research and advice from members, I decided to leave all the fish in the 225 gal and let them run the Ich gauntlet. I fed them 3 times per day, soaked all their food in garlic and Selcon, run a 25 watt UV sterilizer 24/7, a diatom filter for several hours each day and change 25 gals of water every week: Hoping that healthy fish, with good water conditions could survive the Ich. Well, it only took 6 days for the Chocolate Tang to succumb to it, and my SF Tang while still eating isn't in much better shape. The Tuskfish also has a good dose of Ich as well, but is at least eating and behaving normally. All 12 Chromis, Angelfish, LM Blenny, Hawkfish, Foxface and Bannerfish are in good shape.
So, what to do with the Sailfin? I can catch him and treat in hospital tank. If he survives that, then what do I do? Put him back in the DT to become infected all over again, or will he be able to fight it off after surviving it once. Another course of action is to go and buy a larger QT tank, remove all the fish, and leave the DT fallow for 8 weeks. But how will that many fish make out in a 30 or 40 gal hospital tank for 8 weeks? Might be doing more harm than good. While the other fish are fine does this mean I can never put another tang in this tank again? I just don't know what to do!

fishytime · #7 03-09-2009, 11:19 PM

I feel for ya and hear ya. I struggle with the whole qt/hospital tank thing for bigger fish like tangs and large angels. They really seem to not handle they cramped quarters and lack of security very well. Then there is the whole netting of the fish issue that I wont go in to. A tough decision for you for sure.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 03-09-2009, 11:56 PM

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this

May sound harsh but to live in my tank, the fishes have to be able to survive and fight off ich. Its just not avoidable in my tank and has been there going on three years now.

I have yet to loose a fish to ich in the display though, only in QT.

Right now I monitor it closely and as long as there is no scratching or signs of stress, I just feed well and keep the water clean. It seems to come and go. Before adding my Powder Brown, I think I was getting way ahead of the ich--he seems to be stressing the tank enough now to cause a new outbreak.

If a fish were to ever get bad enough to need QT, I would probably Qt them and sell. Replace the fish with another who can hopefully fight it off. Wouldn't be easy to do but like you said, if you QT them and put them back, they will most likely just get really bad again.

Its such a hard thing to deal with

Good luck!

lobsterboy · #9 03-10-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

A fish that eats GSP??? Did you give him a golden tank and name him king??? I know of a few peeps that would pay big bucks for a GSP eating fish.

he's at GOLDS, lol, in the back tank

Lance · #10 03-12-2009, 02:40 AM

The Ich epidemic wasn't getting any better. I was running a 25 watt UV sterilizer 24/7; a diatom filter for several hours every day; large water changes every 3 to 4 days; soaked food in garlic and Selcon; and provided nori every day. I lost my Chocolate Tang, and the Sailfin and Harlequin Tuskfish are in bad shape. A fellow reefer was good enough to lend me his spare 180 gal which I set up in the garage. Today I transferred all the fish over to the 180 where they will remain for 8 weeks leaving the display fallow. I began treating them with Cupramine and am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping I don't lose any more fish. It was a big job, but I felt it needed to be done. Thank-Yous go to MrFish55 (Dave) and Marie for all their help. It is very much appreciated.
Does anyone know what the shelf life of Cupramine is?