[serkoch]

Ok...I have a 29 gallon FOWLR. Seaclone Skimmer, 360 Penguin, 25 lbs of LR, 2 powerheads...2 Turbo snails, 5 Blue Legged Crabs, and 6 or so little cleaner snails... Also Power Compact lighting Satalite System running a 24 hour cycle...

Ok, so I cycle my tank for a month and a half...inverts inside and eating, levels look beautiful, skimmer pulling out slime, everything healthy. Buy 2 clownfish (false percs)...keep em in a QT for 6 weeks...they are healthy.

Transfer them into the main tank....healthy and eating. Stop pecking at eachother quickly, swim happy. This lasts for a month and a half.

During that time I performed two water changes with RO/DI water purchased at the LFS. My changes equaled to just under 20 percent. I didn't add any RO fix...just salt with 48 hours of mixing in a bucket with a powerhead.

About two days after the second water change both of my clowns developed white spots and in 24 hours were both dead.

I have heard that I needed to add RO fix to the water...I have heard that my water changes were too big (5 gallons in a 29 gallon)...which could it be?

I left all fish out of the tank. It's been 7 weeks. Things look beautiful and clean inside this tank. I was considering adding a single chromis to the tank and see how things fair...keep it small/peaceful/and gentle on the bio load.

This first loss was a big blow to me...and I don't want to loose any more fish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Penguin]

serkoch,

Sorry to hear about your losses. I don't really know why that happened but I can help you eliminate some potential causes. A 20% water change is not too large IMO, and 48 hr of mixing should be fine. Did you heat the water to match the temp of the tank? What brand of salt are you using? I have never heard of RO fix. What is that supposed to do? I always just mix my RO/DI water with salt for a few days, just like you're doing. I don't add anything else to it.

I'd probably try a different source for your next changes, maybe purchase water somewhere else or look into buying your own unit. Also, did you add any thing else to the tank during that time, livestock, LR that could have brought in a parasite?

You are doing the right thing by taking it slow, getting one small fish and observing how they do now.

[saltjunkie]

what salt did you use.?
was the temp and specific gravity, salinity.. whatever you want to call it matched?

[serkoch]

Nothing was added other than the water, I can tell you that I was going from a tank full of treated tap to doing ro/di waterin my changes...i know there whould have had do be some major changes there...

temp was close to the tank...nothing drastic...salinity was the same ..1.023
PH didn't waver...nothing drastic changed at all.

I am leaning towards the whole going from 29 gallons of tap water...putting the fish in...starting water changes with RO/DI...is this a possible reason?

Originally Posted by Penguin

serkoch,

Sorry to hear about your losses. I don't really know why that happened but I can help you eliminate some potential causes. A 20% water change is not too large IMO, and 48 hr of mixing should be fine. Did you heat the water to match the temp of the tank? What brand of salt are you using? I have never heard of RO fix. What is that supposed to do? I always just mix my RO/DI water with salt for a few days, just like you're doing. I don't add anything else to it.

I'd probably try a different source for your next changes, maybe purchase water somewhere else or look into buying your own unit. Also, did you add any thing else to the tank during that time, livestock, LR that could have brought in a parasite?

You are doing the right thing by taking it slow, getting one small fish and observing how they do now.

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by saltjunkie

what salt did you use.?
was the temp and specific gravity, salinity.. whatever you want to call it matched?

OH...I used Instant Ocean salt too....5 gallon box with 5 gallons of water...supposed to be an instant mix....

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Where my question comes in is you stated the water was purchased from your LFS. You might want to check with them to see if there is a clue there.

For what you pay to purchase your RO/DI you might want to get your own and make your own water. This will eleminate any possibilities that the water was contaminated.

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by WHOSYOURDADDY

Where my question comes in is you stated the water was purchased from your LFS. You might want to check with them to see if there is a clue there.

For what you pay to purchase your RO/DI you might want to get your own and make your own water. This will eleminate any possibilities that the water was contaminated.

The first water change was fine...fish had no problem....

He is the major supplier to the area...he has not tried to sell me anything and has been really active in helping me to diagnose what the problem is...

Would I be better off using bottled water? I only do three gallons at a time...the changes to me are too small to purchase a unit.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by serkoch

I am leaning towards the whole going from 29 gallons of tap water...putting the fish in...starting water changes with RO/DI...is this a possible reason?

That normally shouldn't cause a problem, unless of course there was some contaminant in the water.

OH...I used Instant Ocean salt too....5 gallon box with 5 gallons of water...supposed to be an instant mix....

Do you mean that you mixed up the full 5g of saltwater, used half of it for your first water change, then used the rest several weeks later? I'm wondering if something could have caused the water to go bad while it was being stored, like some chemical leaching out from the container or something.

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by Penguin

That normally shouldn't cause a problem, unless of course there was some contaminant in the water.



Do you mean that you mixed up the full 5g of saltwater, used half of it for your first water change, then used the rest several weeks later? I'm wondering if something could have caused the water to go bad while it was being stored, like some chemical leaching out from the container or something.

Nope...used the whole 5 gallons at once....

I have since switched to roughly 3 1/2 gallon changes...a true 11 to 12 percent.

I am going to drop the salinity to about .020 and then add a single green chloris to the main tank and observe...any objections to this idea?

[Penguin]

That sounds fine. I'd prefer to maintain NSW salinity levels though. Good luck!

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by Penguin

That sounds fine. I'd prefer to maintain NSW salinity levels though. Good luck!

What do you mean by NSW salinity levels?

[Penguin]

natural saltwater levels, i.e. 1.025-1.026.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

I agree with Penguin on the NSL - by chnaging this level your placing more physical stress on the fish.

Anything but TAP WATER - I'm not trying to Knock your LFS simple asking questions to eliminate what its not to get what it could be. Where do you mix your water could there have been the possibilty an over spray of a chemical could have gotten into your bucket? Have your tried a different bucket?

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by WHOSYOURDADDY

I agree with Penguin on the NSL - by chnaging this level your placing more physical stress on the fish.

Anything but TAP WATER - I'm not trying to Knock your LFS simple asking questions to eliminate what its not to get what it could be. Where do you mix your water could there have been the possibilty an over spray of a chemical could have gotten into your bucket? Have your tried a different bucket?

I havn't tried a different bucket....

I have been making the water changes in my fishless tank for 6 + weeks now...could I still be in danger?

I understand the only real way to find out is by adding a fish and seeing... local place has some blue green chromis coming in tomorrow...I'll keep ya posted.

I didn't think that you were knocking anyone...I am very hesitant in trusting any of the LFS but I am learning a little more about each on each and every day. This forum and all of you guys have taught me all that I know right now..and it is much appreciared!

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Yep - its time to make the leap of faith. Go ahead and try a chromis or damsel - they are hardy fish. Keep checking your ammonia, nitrates and nitrite levels. Keep doing your weekly partial water changes.

Your tank will still need to go through the cycling process (you need to place a bio-load on it) so they should begin to spike and as your bacteria develops begin to reduce back down.

Good Luck!

[stang69]

I didnt read anything about temp

Was the water the same temp when you added it to the tank as the water in the tank. Sometimes a temp spike cold or warm can also stress a fish and bring out Ick


Just a thought


Jeff

[serkoch]

Originally Posted by WHOSYOURDADDY

Yep - its time to make the leap of faith. Go ahead and try a chromis or damsel - they are hardy fish. Keep checking your ammonia, nitrates and nitrite levels. Keep doing your weekly partial water changes.

Your tank will still need to go through the cycling process (you need to place a bio-load on it) so they should begin to spike and as your bacteria develops begin to reduce back down.

Good Luck!

OK! On day 5 with my Chromis. He is eating fine and really taking to the live rock and environment well. I didn't quaranteen him...purchased a Mac certified fish from a LFS that is owned by the brother in law of Mike Paletta, author of the New Marine Aquarium...the fine folks at www.wetpetsandfriends.com have offered to walk me through some of the additional steps. If your in the Pittsburgh PA area and havn't checked out this store...I found it to be very well maintained with healthy tanks and nice corals!

Let you know the futher progress of the tank. THanks for your help!!!