snails dying

[sightin]

Recently built 200 gal system. Checked PH regularly, as well as ammonia, nitrite, akalinity, etc. However, never tested calcium. Alkalinity was always high (6.5 meq).

Last week, PH went really low in two days. Lost all abalone, then the snails, next was the bubble tip anemone.

Been treating for several days now with calcium (Ocena's Blend). Haven't yet gotten calcium up to 400ppm. SG always at 1.025, with RO/DI as start.

Fish doing fine (Tang, Blennies, Clown, Wrasse).

Probaly lost 50 snails. A few star fish are fine (lost one serpentine).

Any idea why? Lost a lot of inverts, and don't know why, other than the really quick change in PH (8.2 to ~7.9) in two days. Know that was the result of a lack of buffering, which I am fixing. But, is there something else wrong?

Ralph

[wozza]

sounds like some kind of heavy metal like copper has got in to the system!
but thats just a guess

[sightin]

Thanks, but really doubt that. System is all PVC and tubing, except chiller which is Titanium pipe.

[wozza]

lol its not that then!

[Ninong]

Hi sightin,



How long has the tank been up and running?

Was this a brand new tank or was it a tank that had been previously used?

Is the tank glass or acrylic?

Are you using natural seawater or artificial seawater? If artificial, what brand of salt mix are you using and have you ever checked the freshly mixed saltwater for calcium and alkalinity levels before using it? High alkalinity (6.5 mEq/l, 18.2 dKH) is sometimes the result of an off batch of salt mix.

The alkalinity may or may not be the cause of your inverts dying. Have you noticed any polychaetes dying?

[PurePerfection]

ya what he sead...?