Total Failure - Page 2

Dolf · #1 03-18-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Most LFS employees don't know enough about sw tanks.

+++1
That is only part of the problem. The other part is that they are salesmen whose product carries no guarantee and if you need to replace your livestock on a regular basis all the better. A part of it may be bad fish as has been suggested. But if that is what you suspect then a trip to a different store may be in order. If those parameters were what they considered good I would certainly question their knowledge.

I would also check the temperature you are keeping your livestock at. Many people keep it at a much lower temperature than optimal. While it may not kill your fish directly, it will contribute to the stress. Finally, don't tear apart your tank unless you do have reason to suspect that there is a rotting fish. The small burrowing snails should be necessarius (sp?) snails. They will usually eat the dead fairly effectively. Good luck with the tank and keep reading.

Oh, you likely already know- but be careful how you clean the fluvial- you don't want to kill or replace all of the bacteria on the filter. Which actually brings me to the next question (though unrelated to a complete crash...) how much live rock did you include in the tank?

Canadian · #2 03-18-2009, 11:44 AM

A few things:

1. Yes your ammonia is high - too high.

2. Yes your pH is too low (assuming your test kit is accurate - check it with a pH probe/pen)

3. Nitrite is basically considered non-toxic if you look more closely at the chemistry information posted by Randy on RC

4. Your slow drip acclimation is probably doing more harm than good for your fish - again another well discussed topic on RC. Over the years I have adopted the float, cut, drain, and dump method of fish acclimation and have had more success than I ever did with slow acclimation. However, given your low pH I don't think any acclimation procedure is going to give your fish much of a fighting chance.

subman · #3 03-18-2009, 05:20 AM

What brand of salt are you using?

alfredshouse · #4 03-19-2009, 04:53 PM

I am just getting over a major tank crash, I lost all my fish over night. However, I did learn alot. My suggestion is, go to the LFS and buy an O2 test kit, they are only $15. I had no O2 in my tank, none. I now have a sump and I raised my O2 using airstones and a few other tricks. Oh yah, the LFS cannot test for O2 because the water has to be tested as soon as it comes out of the tank. Hope this helps.

Fox · #5 03-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the tip...I have an air stone in there but I will pick up a tester just in case...

Anyone have any thoughts on the salt I was using? Just to recap I am using Coralife Scientific grade Marine salt. It's almost an empty bag and once its done I have a big tub of instant ocean sea salt.

Aquattro · #6 03-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Thanks for the tip...I have an air stone in there but I will pick up a tester just in case...

Anyone have any thoughts on the salt I was using? Just to recap I am using Coralife Scientific grade Marine salt. It's almost an empty bag and once its done I have a big tub of instant ocean sea salt.

I used Coralife salt once, it didn't kill anything, but I would recommend the Instant Ocean instead. Just a better salt, IMO.
Oh, and I wouldn't waste money on an O2 test kit. Unless you get a major die off, or huge algae bloom, your O2 levels will be fine. Maintaining decent flow in your tank is sufficient to off gas the CO2, and O2 just loves to replace it. Most tanks with normal temps and stocking will always have sufficient O2.