20 gal Reef Tank

Mario1403 · Jan 3, 2020

Hello all,

I am new to Marine Tank and Saltwater aquariums and looking forward to share stories and learn about different techniques and tips for my 20 gal reef tank.

I'm currently having a huge problem with the Tank. All my fish (2 Clowns, 2 blue Damsels and 1 Yellow Watchman Goby) died within 32 hours. I suspect that I have Ich or Velvet infestation. The Watchman Goby and the Clowns became very pale, while the damsels show yellowish spots on them (now they are dead ).
My Hermit Crabs, Cleaner Shrimp and Snails seem to be OK, as well as my one corral I have so far in the Tank.

I've read multiple posts on this forum and found valuable information. So, I will go fallow today and wait for 76 days before adding fish to the tank again.
However, I am uncertain about the copper treatment: is it necessary to treat with copper if the tank is fallow?
Another question I had, is it sufficient to feed the corals and inverts with my pellets every 3-4 days?

Thank you in advance for the tips and help!
-M

Berlibee · Jan 3, 2020

Hey!

The Aquatic Arsenal · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R! Going fallow at this point is probably a really good option.

Triple.T · Jan 3, 2020

Hello, welcome to R2R! What were your water parameters in the 32 hours leading upto the fish dying ? How often were you doing water changes on your 20G? What's your filtration setup?

Peace River · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Gernader · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

Crabs McJones · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!
If the fish died that fast velvet would be my guess.
To be clear the display tank goes without fish for 76 days, and all new fish are treated in a separate tank for 30 days in copper. You never want to dose copper or any other meds into your display tank. It has to be a separate tank far away from the main display that does not come into contact with the main tank.

Mario1403 · Jan 3, 2020

Triple.T said:
Hello, welcome to R2R! What were your water parameters in the 32 hours leading upto the fish dying ? How often were you doing water changes on your 20G? What's your filtration setup?

Hello Triple.T,

My Water Perimeters:
Salinity: 34ppt
Ph: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: below 5ppm
Temperature: 77.4F

I only use RO/DI water, which I filter myself with an RO/DI system under my sink. I mix the saltwater with Fritz Reef Pro Salt to 33-34ppt.

I have an external filter "Aqueon 10 quiet flow", exchanging the filter and ammonia reducing sponge every 4 weeks. I usually do a water change every 7 - 10 days, as well as weekly water tests, but the last one I was slacking and didn't change for 3 weeks. I did an immediate 50% water change after seeing the ammonia going up yesterday, after the first clown was found dead. The other fish seemed to be happier after the change, but this morning I found all of them dead

.

fishface NJ · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R

Billldg · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Jcagle09 · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R. Sorry to hear about your fish!

Rick Mathew · Jan 3, 2020

Mario1403 said:
Hello all,

I am new to Marine Tank and Saltwater aquariums and looking forward to share stories and learn about different techniques and tips for my 20 gal reef tank.

I'm currently having a huge problem with the Tank. All my fish (2 Clowns, 2 blue Damsels and 1 Yellow Watchman Goby) died within 32 hours. I suspect that I have Ich or Velvet infestation. The Watchman Goby and the Clowns became very pale, while the damsels show yellowish spots on them (now they are dead ).
My Hermit Crabs, Cleaner Shrimp and Snails seem to be OK, as well as my one corral I have so far in the Tank.

I've read multiple posts on this forum and found valuable information. So, I will go fallow today and wait for 76 days before adding fish to the tank again.
However, I am uncertain about the copper treatment: is it necessary to treat with copper if the tank is fallow?
Another question I had, is it sufficient to feed the corals and inverts with my pellets every 3-4 days?

Thank you in advance for the tips and help!
-M

Welcome to the R2R Family…Great to have you

…Explore…Learn…Share---Practice Patience

Ruben's Reef · Jan 3, 2020

!!! Welcome to R2R Mario !!! Sorry for what you're going thru. Good advise from our fellow reefers on waiting 76 days and not putting meds on the DT. Now, I will change the filter pad at least once a week and a 10% w/c weekly on that size tank.

Mario1403 · Jan 3, 2020

spyder813 said:
!!! Welcome to R2R Mario !!! Sorry for what you're going thru. Good advise from our fellow reefers on waiting 76 days and not putting meds on the DT. Now, I will change the filter pad at least once a week and a 10% w/c weekly on that size tank.

Hello spyder813,

10% would be enough? I will take this advice! Thank you!
I am also planning to exchange all buckets I had to new ones, to be sure I am not re-introducing the disease into the tank.

Quietman · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome Aboard!!! Great place to come to for help and advice. Bummer to start out with livestock loss, but be patient and you'll be back on your reefing feet (fins?) soon.

Ruben's Reef · Jan 3, 2020

Yes, 10% a week will be enough to replace some elements. Also, do you have an ATO?

KJ · Jan 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Mario1403 · Jan 3, 2020

spyder813 said:
Yes, 10% a week will be enough to replace some elements. Also, do you have an ATO?

No, I top of manually as needed. I usually wait until it is about half a gallon, then top off with RO/DI water. Living in Phoenix, AZ, that takes about 3 days until I have to top off.

Ruben's Reef · Jan 3, 2020

Mario1403 said:
No, I top of manually as needed. I usually wait until it is about half a gallon, then top off with RO/DI water. Living in Phoenix, AZ, that takes about 3 days until I have to top off.

Oh wow. An ATO is very important on a reef tank cuz it keep the salinity stable. Maybe you know that the water evaporates but not the salt so the salinity will go up and that can kill all the livestock on your fish tank. I did top of manually at the beginning but once I did my gravity ATO my system became more stable.