Did a water change and something went wrong :( Help

Stew18 · Dec 22, 2015

I have a 40 gallon tank with live rock, coral, anenome, hermits, and a star fish. All my fish are in QT and have been for about 3 weeks because I thought I had ich. So I am waiting out the 75 days.

Well yesterday at about 2pm I did a 7 gallon water change. I have 5 gallon jugs and i get them from my LFS where my friend works. I may have used a jug that had been sitting a few weeks.

Well immediatly after the water change all the corals shrunk and the anenome got really small and stayed that way all the rest of the day. I did another 5 gallon water change at night. I woke up this morning and I have one dead cleaner shrimp and the corals and anenome have not opened up.

What went wrong. Can 3 week old water do that?

I have my friend coming tonight to test the water he said if he cant find anything wrong in the tests that we may need a huge water change.

I am writing this just to get ideas to see if I missed anything?

WetWhistle · Dec 22, 2015

Did you check the salinity level before using the water? A large swing of to low or high will cause that as an option.

tankstudy · Dec 22, 2015

I would test that water if you have any left.

Stew18 · Dec 22, 2015

My friend will check the salinity when he comes today. I think I need to invest in that tool.

If I change the water with good water will things come back or is the damage done?

twilliard · Dec 22, 2015

@Randy Holmes-Farley
Do you think this water sat long enough to become anaerobic and toxic? (Cant remember what is produced from certain salts)

redfishbluefish · Dec 22, 2015

Water can sit. That's not the problem. I'm going to guess that the OP did a water change with RO/DI water, and not salt. Already stated he doesn't have "that tool." Either that, or the LFS screwed up with the salinity. Either way, you need to invest in a refractometer and measure any water you're about ready to put in your tank to make sure it matches tank water.

jman9331 · Dec 22, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
Water can sit. That's not the problem. I'm going to guess that the OP did a water change with RO/DI water, and not salt. Already stated he doesn't have "that tool." Either that, or the LFS screwed up with the salinity. Either way, you need to invest in a refractometer and measure any water you're about ready to put in your tank to make sure it matches tank water.

I agree the very little at least do a finger taste to ensure its salt water going in the tank. Invest in a tool now it will save you later.

redfishbluefish · Dec 22, 2015

One other very important point....if you find that your salinity is too low, you simply can't dump salt into the tank to quickly raise it back up. Going down, it can happen fairly quickly, but coming back up has to be slow. Do not raise salinity more than about 0.003 sp. gr units per day. Hope this helps.

And, when you buy that tool, do not buy a swing-arm hydrometer....it has to be a refractometer.

twilliard · Dec 22, 2015

I just noticed your in WA

Where at if you dont mind me asking?

Stew18 · Dec 22, 2015

Bellingham area

Busa1340 · Dec 22, 2015

Here ya go it's worth the money also get the 35ppm calibration solution.

Stew18 · Dec 22, 2015

busa 1340 - thank you. I just ordered it!

Stew18 · Dec 22, 2015

UPDATE!

I had a professional come and evaluate the situation. He did many tests and checked the solinity of the water. He said everything was normal. He wondered if I got a algea bloom from the old water. He said basically the alge uses up the oxygen? I think I am understanding.

He did a 80 percent water change and he thinks things will improve

RMS18 · Dec 23, 2015

Was the "professional" from the store you buy water from?

Stew18 · Dec 23, 2015

the professional was not from the store where i got my water

Stew18 · Dec 23, 2015

update: This morning more things had died. I think the damage was done before I did the 80 percent water change yesterday afternoon. I think the solution may be dilution at this point. I am still very puzzled

TylerS · Dec 23, 2015

Well at least your fish weren't in the tank.

RMS18 · Dec 23, 2015

Very odd... something had to be wrong with the water you added. Sorry for your losses, hope things straighten out soon. We all have had our issues. Good luck.