CUC dying?

[reefsurfer1]

My tank is almost a 2 years old. But I moved recently and since then I have been having problems. My cuc is dying. All but 2 of my snails are dead and I have bought 6 more turbos and they are dead as well. I have a hermit crab, 1 turbo, and 1 astrea, 4 nassarius snails left in a 125 gal tank. There are baby snails that come out at night as well. My fish and coral are fine just my snails are dying. My water temp is 79, ammonia, nitrite, and phosphates are 0, ph 8.2, nitrates 20ppm, calcium 480-520. Any help would be great. Thx!

[Reefing Madness]

Also gonna need PH, and ALK readings. Other than one of those being out of balance, I have no clue. What kind of fish do you have? Nay that eat CUC? Trigger, Puffer?

[reefsurfer1]

My ph is 7.8-8.2. I havent tested ALK, my only fish are hippo tang, mandarin, clown fish, and six line wrasse.

[Reefing Madness]

Looks as if everything is in order. You got me

[leebca]

Has there been any changes to the source water you are using? Is the water being supplied to your water treatment system now different? Sometimes water from wells will be considerably worse than some city water from other types of sources. Do tests on your source water before treatment and after. Sometimes there are poisons in the water of the new location that are fine for human consumption, but isn't good for the marine aquarium.

[reefsurfer1]

I started using rodi water that is installed in my new house. I checked it before I used it and there was 0 nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. The only thing I noticed about the rodi water was the ph was really low at like 7.4. Those are the only things I checked for and my fish and coral arent dying. That is a good idea though. Do you think thats what it is?

Has there been any changes to the source water you are using? Is the water being supplied to your water treatment system now different? Sometimes water from wells will be considerably worse than some city water from other types of sources. Do tests on your source water before treatment and after. Sometimes there are poisons in the water of the new location that are fine for human consumption, but isn't good for the marine aquarium.

[leebca]

Actually, your treated water is high in pH. Neutral pH is 7.0. However, it is hard to get a proper pH reading on water very low in dissolved solids. I would take a reading on the water for total dissolved solids (TDS). There are TDS meters readily available for this. Treated water is never below 1 ppb, but it should be either none-detected or 1 to 3 ppm. It is the TDS reading on treated water that you want to rely upon most.

Next, how are you taking the pH? Are you using a pH meter or test kit?

Yes. A shift in water quality is implied due to the loss of marine life, and since you made a move, I'd first suspect the source water. Next, look for any other changes you've made or think you've improved upon, taking advantage of the move. Did you install any new equipment, plumbing, accessories, etc.? Were they thoroughly cleaned before their first use? Things that might be overlooked, like this, can adversely effect water quality, although the effect will not show up in the tests we as hobbyists, perform. Give this post a read when you can: What is Water Quality

[reefsurfer1]

Thx Lee!

I will get a test for the tds. When I moved I used the same stuff, and once I saw that there was a problem I didnt want to add anything until I figured out what it was. I have been altering one thing at a time and learned a few things but nothing has changed this problem. I totally forgot that I switched water though because I ran those tests and discounted it as a problem. I really hope that is the problem. I will let you know how the test turns out. Merry christmas!

Tom

[reefsurfer1]

Oh and I am using a test kit for the ph and I will read the post. Thanks again, hopefully!

[reefsurfer1]

I bought the tds meter and calibration solution. My tds reading is 4 on my rodi water. I think it should be ok. Any other ideas?

[Reefing Madness]

Only other thing I can guess at is that they starved out. How clean is your tank?

[leebca]

Did you find out the 'real' pH of your source water yet, using a pH meter?

The 4 is adequate, assuming you mean "4 ppm." How did you standardize the TDS meter? using what water?

Lastly is the source of the snails. If you are obtaining snails from sub-tropical or cooler waters, they will not live long in tropical water. 79F is a good tropical temperature but snails born and raised in 65F or less water will slowly cook at 79F. Check into the origin of the snails you get. What water do they come from? You prefer NOT to have them from Florida or USA Pacific regions.

Can you post a few photos of your aquarium as it is now?

[reefsurfer1]

I have been using a ph test kit for my ph. The one with droppers, I thought that was acurate enough. I will look into a meter. I will take some pics tomorrow and post them as well. I did mean 4ppm I calibrated it with the 342 nacl solution. Then I tested regular tap water which was 154 ppm or something like that. Then I tested the rodi water and it was 4-7ppm I tested it a few times. I tested the tank itself and that was 950+ppm. Im sure thats from all the salt. I will double check the temp in the tank. I live in az and only need the heater on for a few months a year so if the temp gauge on the front isnt acurate that may be it. I dont think my tank is too clean to keep my cuc alive. I change 15 gal once a week and skim it. there is algie in there and it got worse without a cuc. Also, the pump on my sterilizer died and I had to replace it. It is running good now and there is food to eat!

[leebca]

Just as another check -- next time you're at the grocery store or pharmacy, pick up some distilled water and test the TDS meter on it.

All esle seems to be in order.

[reefsurfer1]

I will thank you for your help.

Tom