Everything is dying in my tank I need help

[Reef.Blue]

This week, everything has suddenly been dying in my tank. My corals were great up to this point and now none have opened in days and are starting to die. Both my sand sifting stars died, my brittle star died, 4 large snails died, and my tuxedo urchin died. Not sure what is happening. I tested my water and everything checks out. Phosphate - 0.1 ppm Nitrate - 5 ppm Ammonia - 0 ppm PH - 8.1 Calcium (DKH) - 9.2 Salinity - 35.6 ppt. Please help

 

[blaxsun]

You need to provide some more details on your tank, ie: age, size, filtration, equipment you use, lighting, flow, etc. Some images would also be helpful.

 

[Reef.Blue]

You need to provide some more details on your tank, ie: age, size, filtration, equipment you use, lighting, flow, etc. Some images would also be helpful.

The tank is 2 years old. It’s a 40 breeder. I’m running a Fiji cube drop in system for filtration. I’m also running a protein skimmer. I am using 2 ai primes on a 12 hour schedule.

 

[Garf]

The tank is 2 years old. It’s a 40 breeder. I’m running a Fiji cube drop in system for filtration. I’m also running a protein skimmer. I am using 2 ai primes on a 12 hour schedule.

How are you controlling temperature?

 

[Reef.Blue]

I have an Inkbird temperature controller. The tank has been at 76-77

 

[Garf]

I have an Inkbird temperature controller. The tank has been at 76-77

Ok, just checking you ain’t accidentally pulled the temp probe out, or something daft.

 

[Reef.Blue]

Ok, just checking you ain’t accidentally pulled the temp probe out, or something daft.

The temperature has been fine I just am so puzzled on what is happening

 

[Jason mack]

Do an icp test ..sounds like either heavy metals pollutants or trace elements over dose

 

[JTP424]

Agree with icp test. Also, what are you using to test currently, an API kit? Can you take a photo with white lights?

 

[AquaHobby]

I would start checking individual equipment to see if anything is throwing stray voltage or electrical current,also any dead livestock you might have missed but shouldn't be the case if your ammonium is 0.Also check any magnets in frag racks ot scrapers for rust.

 

[Jack Ravensbergen]

Any young children at home with access to the sump ? ,
Grtz jack

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

As others have suggested, it seems likely that a contaminant got into the tank. I would do a large water change and run carbon; if you're already using carbon, replace it. Hopefully if a contaminant IS the cause, the water change and carbon will help remove it from the water.

I'm really sorry this is happening - it's bad enough when we lose livestock and we know the reason. I hope things improve soon.

 

[blaxsun]

Adding some carbon is a good interim idea. Also a 20-25% (or more) water change wouldn't hurt, either.

 

[Reef.Blue]

Agree with icp test. Also, what are you using to test currently, an API kit? Can you take a photo with white lights?

Mostly everything with Hanna. I used API phosphate.

 

[Reef.Blue]

Adding some carbon is a good interim idea. Also a 20-25% (or more) water change wouldn't hurt, either.

Adding some carbon is a good interim idea. Also a 20-25% (or more) water change wouldn't hurt, eith

Just ordered some carbon. I did a water change 2 days ago (20%) . Doing a 30% water change tomorrow

 

[Garf]

Mostly everything with Hanna. I used API phosphate.

Everything looks a bit new. Are you sure stuff isn’t just starving to death due to algaephobia?

 

[Reef.Blue]

As others have suggested, it seems likely that a contaminant got into the tank. I would do a large water change and run carbon; if you're already using carbon, replace it. Hopefully if a contaminant IS the cause, the water change and carbon will help remove it from the water.

I'm really sorry this is happening - it's bad enough when we lose livestock and we know the reason. I hope things improve soon.

Any idea of how this contaminant could have entered the tank?

 

[Reef.Blue]

Any young children at home with access to the sump ? ,
Grtz jack

Nope.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

As others suggested check your equipment for stray voltage. Been there and wasn't good when it happened to me years ago. One sign is small hermit crabs will bury themselves into the sand to get away from the voltage.

A big ol' WC and carbon change would be good as blaxsum said. As for ICP test, that won't stop the death as you need a solution like now!

Hope you can figure it out.. check if someone tossed some pennies into the tank too as it can't hurt to check.

Edit, no kids so that narrowed it down.

 

[Spare time]

Mostly everything with Hanna. I used API phosphate.

You need a better phosphate test btw