Fish and Coral Died

[RibbonFish]

I just moved due to a job change with all of my fish and coral on Sunday.

Today, two pieces of hard coral and one Anthius died. I checked the paramters, nitrate, salt, and PH are all fine. So, I got confused...

What could be the reason?

I used tap water with instant ocean marine conditioner as instructed.

.........:squigglemouth:

 

[always reefin]

what did you use for biological filtration?

 

[Sean minor]

Tap water --- Bad

 

[McAllyn]

As instructed by whom? Sounds like someone has some "'esplainin to doooo" (in my best Ricky Ricardo voice)

Mac

 

[Dalmatia]

How did you cure the water? And what the temp. at? And what was it at?

 

[RibbonFish]

Used the conditioner as manual instruction.

This is the only thing I did.

I just moved due to a job change with all of my fish and coral on Sunday.

Today, two pieces of hard coral and one Anthius died. I checked the paramters, nitrate, salt, and PH are all fine. So, I got confused...

What could be the reason?

I used tap water with instant ocean marine conditioner as instructed.

.........:squigglemouth:

 

[EricB]

What are your other parameters? Ammonia and nitrite? Did you use all new water? How did you acclimate the fish/corals? Did you use your old sand?

 

[kschweer]

What are your other parameters? Ammonia and nitrite? Did you use all new water? How did you acclimate the fish/corals? Did you use your old sand?

+1. My guess is an ammonia spike especially if you reused the old sand.

 

[Sean minor]

If you plan on keeping anything alive long term you really need to invest in a RO system.

 

[EricB]

+1. I used tap water when I first got into reefing and I was able to keep everything alive (which is amazing considering I live in Pittsburgh- not known for the cleanest water ever). I invested in a Kati/Ani unit before getting into more sensitive things like hard corals and the more delicate fish.

 

[Sean minor]

Oh ok cool, can't use it here, good luck

 

[RibbonFish]

I did not use any old sand.

This time, I did not use any sand.

What are your other parameters? Ammonia and nitrite? Did you use all new water? How did you acclimate the fish/corals? Did you use your old sand?

 

[cparka23]

How long did you let the salt mix?

If you genuinely seek to explain the losses, please don't hold back the details.

 

[RibbonFish]

I just put the salt in, and then water in, stir, and after 1 hour, I put all coral and fish into the tank.

How long did you let the salt mix?

If you genuinely seek to explain the losses, please don't hold back the details.

 

[Dalmatia]

I just put the salt in, and then water in, stir, and after 1 hour, I put all coral and fish into the tank.

Wow, how much salt did you cure? You should have a power head and a heater curing for 24hrs in a separate bin or barrel, it's possible to cure in less time but not recommended. Your water temp. should be around 76-79F and pH should match your tank (8.0-8.4)
You can put an air stone in your curing water to lift any impurities as well

 

[RibbonFish]

Right now, the is about 1.023, all parameters are fine, but the water is not crystal clear. Thus, I think it is may be due to impurities. Temperature is 75 in sump. No powerhead, but a filter and sump system to circulate the water.

It seems like, I may lose a lot this time.

Wow, how much salt did you cure? You should have a power head and a heater curing for 24hrs in a separate bin or barrel, it's possible to cure in less time but not recommended. Your water temp. should be around 76-79F and pH should match your tank (8.0-8.4)
You can put an air stone in your curing water to lift any impurities as well

 

[cparka23]

Right now, the is about 1.023, all parameters are fine, but the water is not crystal clear. Thus, I think it is may be due to impurities. Temperature is 75 in sump. No powerhead, but a filter and sump system to circulate the water.

It seems like, I may lose a lot this time.

Never use freshly mixed saltwater. Even if it looks clear in an hour, it's nowhere near finished dissolving. The time it takes solutes to dissolve depends on a lot of factors, but you should really let it mix overnight at the very least. If the water is very cold when you mix, you need to use a heater to bring the water up to temperature to help it mix.

Those aren't impurities. You've mixed the salt very poorly, and it's likely that the salts that dissolve most easily are far out of balance with the slower dissolving ones. It's possible that the particulates you see are undissolved salts, but it could be lots of things after those losses.

 

[Dalmatia]

Cure a new batch with a pump and a heater (I'd use an air stone just to lift the impurities and aerate it) but make sure you give it at least 24hrs

 

[oceangirl2009]

I would also say using tap water had a lot to do with it as well. If there is a LFS nearby, see if they sell premixed by the gallon and begin water changes ASAP.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Tap water? Seriously? Under no circumstances ever. Also, did you have a heater on them?