[ret25yo]

o.k. I picked up a couple fish and after acclimating the fish I decided that the Naso needs querentine (yes all fish need quentine) but 10 fish is too much for a 40g breeder quentine tank. So the naso is in qurentine with a spoting of something... I have no idea what it is ... It looks like "bruising" No bumps,no lumps, no cuts,no scrapes readings are

Cal - 360
alk - 5
nitrates - 0/undetectable
nitrites -0/undetectable
ammonia - 0/undetectable

this is a quentine tank so i'm doing water changes daily to raise Ca and Alk (I know the water changes are needed not just for the Ca/Alk (do these have an effect on fish)

should I add to my display to possibly reduce the stress (if it is stress related?)

[leebca]

I try to emphasize that a quarantine system is not and does not have to be stressful to a new fish. In fact, alone in its own space a fish is less stressed then having to contend to with tank mate issues on top of being new to the captive life.

The spots you see are most likely a water quality issue. Either the fish was or is in poor water. The water changes and attention to water quality should bring the fish around IF it is properly acclimated and eating the proper foods.

Water changes are good for the fish IF they are performed properly. For instance, this is a good set of guidelines for water changes: How to Make a Successful Water Change

Water quality is more than just the numbers and tests hobbyists can make. It's a big subject. Quality includes other poisons, bad or questionable source water, and organic excess. You may get more on this from: What is Water Quality

It's unclear why you acquired so many fish all at once, but a marine system (unless very large) cannot handle such a sudden, large increase in bio-load. Fish should be added to the marine system at the rate of about one every 6-8 weeks which works out well with a 6-week quarantine process. There are some exceptions to this recommendation.

Keep that fish in (and put all fish through) quarantine.

[ret25yo]

the fish were aquired from a tank breakdown, the current system they are in is a 72x36x24 270g with a total volume of @400g I did not add the naso as I saw these spots during acclimation. I take it maybe it is a type of acclimtion "burn" as the acclimation was too fast. ? i'll check the links you posted .. thx.

p.s. does ca/kh have anything to due with fish? (i believe kh does with the respiritory system )but how about Ca?

[leebca]

Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium all affect our marine fishes in a secondary sort of way. Before people rush in with protests, let me explain.

Those three main water components affect the buffering ability of the water and the final pH of the water. So not only do they control the pH, but they also control the stability of the pH. pH is very important to marine fishes.

Check those three after each water change or once a month for a FOWLR system, whichever comes first.

That post I suggested you read has such info in it: What is Water Quality

[ret25yo]

you have just increased my knowledge 10 fold concerning the other side of testing ...thankyou very much...

since mine are so low.... How can I safely raise all three to the disired reef/fish levels...
without...upsetting the biological balance and stressing the fish?

[ret25yo]

and you were correct.... the spots are no longer showing (maybe she got it from shipping water.), so another week and the naso will go into the display... if nothing else pops up.

[leebca]

Thank you for your update and expressions of appreciation. It isn't usual to hear back from people who have been given recommendations. For that I am appreciative.

Advanced reef aquarium aquarists know best about bringing a system into balance. You might want to go to the Reef Aquariums Forum and provide your numbers AND your target numbers, and ask how to get to the numbers you want. The downside to going there for this info is that quite often they will tell you you don't have to worry about that for a FOWLR. Don't listen to that part.

Balancing is not as straight forward as one might think. It takes some effort and knowledge about how the chemicals interact. It's a complex technical subject. However, there are charts and things to help you out.

I use the “Traditional” calculator from this site on occasion:
Reef Chemistry Calculator


Also, if you’re interested in charts, this is it:
Chemistry and the Aquarium and for more technical info:
A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

You are correct. If the system is REALLY off, then slow changes are best for all marine life (micro and macro). Make small changes and wait for results. That is, keep in mind that once you make an addition, it could take a few days for the effects to be noted. So don't rush forward and try to either make a big adjustment, nor small fast adjustments. Go slowly.
Good luck!