Confused and FRUSTRATED

[mphammer]

Have 110g that I set up in Jan. Has about 100lbs live rock, good flow, in sump skimmer, matrix used in sump. Been making ro/di water from the start. Now the frustration begins. I've lost (due to ick i think) 2 perculas, 1 scopas, 1 purple, 1 kole, 1 sailfin, 1 Lion, 7 damsels, 3 plate coral... and the list goes on :doh: Aside from the plate coral, ALL my coral (sps and lps) are wide open and thriving.
I was told several times not to add until tank matured...so my question is how long before tank is mature? I am in the process of setting up a QT tank which was recommended by a friend.. Just looking for some input and help as I am new to reefing

 

[rtirado]

Someone is going to ask so I figure I will.
What are your water parameters?
ph
SG
Amm.
Nitrite/Nitrate
Alk.
Calc
Mag
Temp

Those are the main ones I can think of.
Experts on here can use those figures to help try and narrow down your issues.

Also, where were you getting your fish?

 

[mphammer]

Parameters:
Ph: looks to be right at 8
SG: 1.022
Nitrates: 5 ppm > 10 ppm
phosphates: .5 > .75
Calc: 410
temp: 80 > 82 degrees F

Fish bought at various LFS in the Atlanta area... all sponsors of ARC

Edit: the above post contains my CURRENT parameters... Nitrates and phosphates have fluctuated until about a week ago I noticed a HUGE spike.. nitrates were well over 20 ppm. I began daily water changes and have started a NoPox??? treatment which seems to be helpig

 

[cjsparky]

I have a similar issue as you...Fish and LPS are fine...I kill any SPS I stick in the tank. My water parameters are good too...good luck!

 

[ralph atl]

Cjsparky;771861 wrote: I have a similar issue as you...Fish and LPS are fine...I kill any SPS I stick in the tank. My water parameters are good too...good luck!

then there not good.....

 

[zerokilo]

I would say your parameters look ok for most fish, though I would try to drop your nitrates and PO4 using GFO+chemipure (or similar) or carbon dosing. Your tank is a little new for bristooths, they do better in long established tanks, though that would result in slow starvation over weeks or months. Most likely your losses are coming from your acclimation and quarantine procedures (or lack of). Go check out the articles on WetWebMedia about fish acclimation and quarantine, they have helped me to drastically cut my losses.

Also, it would be better for your corals to keep your salinity a bit higher, the closer to 1.025 you can keep it the better.


-Chris

 

[cjsparky]

mysterybox;771863 wrote: then there not good.....

I am thinking my issue is light acclamation, or too much flow. They really are good promise

 

[mphammer]

zeroKilo;771865 wrote: I would try to drop your nitrates and PO4 using GFO+chemipure (or similar) or carbon dosing.


-Chris

I am currently using NO3 PO4 -X... will this have the same effects as the chem treatment you recommended??
And how long before my tank is considered "mature"??? I have heard everything from 4 months to 2 years...

 

[texhorns98]

mphammer;771853 wrote: Have 110g that I set up in Jan. Has about 100lbs live rock, good flow, in sump skimmer, matrix used in sump. Been making ro/di water from the start. Now the frustration begins. I've lost (due to ick i think) 2 perculas, 1 scopas, 1 purple, 1 kole, 1 sailfin, 1 Lion, 7 damsels, 3 plate coral... and the list goes on :doh: Aside from the plate coral, ALL my coral (sps and lps) are wide open and thriving.
I was told several times not to add until tank matured...so my question is how long before tank is mature? I am in the process of setting up a QT tank which was recommended by a friend.. Just looking for some input and help as I am new to reefing

Your tank has been up since January, but when did you add the fish and at what rate?

 

[mphammer]

texhorns98;771871 wrote: Your tank has been up since January, but when did you add the fish and at what rate?

First addition was a pair of percs.. added beginning of march..
After about 3 weeks of what appeared to be healthy behavior from the clowns, I added a few damsels and the kole.
All was fine for another 2 weeks.
Added scopas.... CRASH
One domino damsel survived...
Waited 1 month and began stocking again towards end of april...
Middle of May... lost sailfin, purple, and lionfish...
ALL coral and inverts (2 cleaner shrimp, 1 pistol shrimp, 3 peppermint, 20+ snails, 20+ hermits, bristle starfish) seem to be thriving

 

[ralph atl]

mphammer;771853 wrote: Have 110g that I set up in Jan. Has about 100lbs live rock, good flow, in sump skimmer, matrix used in sump. Been making ro/di water from the start. Now the frustration begins. I've lost (due to ick i think) 2 perculas, 1 scopas, 1 purple, 1 kole, 1 sailfin, 1 Lion, 7 damsels, 3 plate coral... and the list goes on :doh: Aside from the plate coral, ALL my coral (sps and lps) are wide open and thriving.
I was told several times not to add until tank matured...so my question is how long before tank is mature? I am in the process of setting up a QT tank which was recommended by a friend.. Just looking for some input and help as I am new to reefing

you need to find out what disease/pathogen/parasite you have in your tank!

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html</a>


you can try a Formalin Dip if it's Marine Ich
metro/focus.......

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=281656">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=281656</a>


[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70354">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70354</a>

 

[zerokilo]

mphammer;771869 wrote: I am currently using NO3 PO4 -X... will this have the same effects as the chem treatment you recommended??
And how long before my tank is considered "mature"??? I have heard everything from 4 months to 2 years...

I have never used that product but from the description it sounds like a form of carbon dosing.

Regarding maturity, I wouldn't try to add a bristletooth to a tanks that was less than a year old, unless I saw it eating prepared foods in the LFS.

Overall it sounds like you are just adding too many fish at one time. Going through a proper QT process will naturally limit the rate at which you add fish and allow your system to adapt to the new entrants.

Hang in there and don't get too frustrated, we have all had losses. Best to just read-up and refine your methods.


-Chris

 

[ralph atl]

Cjsparky;771866 wrote: I am thinking my issue is light acclamation, or too much flow. They really are good promise

doubt it....

 

[zerokilo]

mysterybox;771873 wrote: you need to find out what disease/pathogen/parasite you have in your tank!

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html</a>


you can try a Formalin Dip if it's Marine Ich
metro/focus.......

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=281656">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=281656</a>


[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70354">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70354</a>[/QUOTE]

This too. Again back to the QT...


-Chris

 

[mphammer]

you need to find out what disease/pathogen/parasite you have in your tank!

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html</a>


After reviewing this article, the problem was most def ick...
So from what I gather a QT tank is a must?
Is there anything i need to do to my DT before stocking? (other than using qt for new fish obviously)

 

[cjsparky]

mysterybox;771875 wrote: doubt it....

10 gallon WC every 2 weeks, and I only urinate in my sump when I am drunk...

 

[rtirado]

mphammer;771879 wrote:

you need to find out what disease/pathogen/parasite you have in your tank!

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html">http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ich.html</a>


After reviewing this article, the problem was most def ick...
So from what I gather a QT tank is a must?
Is there anything i need to do to my DT before stocking? (other than using qt for new fish obviously)[/QUOTE]

I would treat for Ich in there and then do some big water changes.

 

[mphammer]

Is there any sure way to know if the ich is at a safe, contained level?

 

[miami dolfan]

All fish have ich in them but on some it comes out quicker when stressed. Do you have a UV? I had a similar problem running an 18w Turbo twist and it didn't help...upgraded to a 36w and have been ich free for 3 years.