Fish dying

[manuel josephh]

Hey guys, newbie reefer here. I added a pair of clownfish 3 days ago and one of my clownfish is dying. It’s laying down on the sand and breathing rapidly. The other clownfish and the corals are doing fine. Was wondering what happened, and after checking the water parameters I found out my alkalinity is through the roof!!! What can I do to lower the alkalinity? Should I do a full water change? Please help me I want my clownfish to live.

water parameters
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10ppm
Ph 8.1
Salinity 1.025
Salt I’m using is coral pro salt

 

[Floyd-]

What level is the ALK at? You say its high but what the reading?

 

[manuel josephh]

Update on the fish. It died. My torch coral tried eating it. It was swimming around and I think it swam above the torch coral

 

[Reefer5640]

What level is the ALK at? You say its high but what the reading?

Agreed. Also yes you can do water changes to bring it down. That’s the safest way.

 

[manuel josephh]

What level is the ALK at? You say its high but what the reading?

I really don’t know. I used salifert alkalinity test and the colour didn’t change. That means it’s over 15dkh.

 

[Reefer5640]

I’m sorry to hear about your clown

 

[Reefer5640]

Are dosing your tank with something?

 

[manuel josephh]

Agreed. Also yes you can do water changes to bring it down. That’s the safest way.

Should I do a full water change?

 

[manuel josephh]

Are dosing your tank with something?

Yea I accidentally overdose tropic Marin all-for-reef by an extra 5ml

 

[Reefer5640]

Yea I accidentally overdose tropic Marin all-for-reef by an extra 5ml

Gotcha, yeah I’d start doing water changes. What salt are you using? Some salts have high levels to give a boost for water changes. Some salts have lower levels and won’t effect parameters as much. All depends on where you like to keep things.

 

[Reefer5640]

Before you start doing water changes are you certain the test is accurate?

 

[manuel josephh]

Gotcha, yeah I’d start doing water changes. What salt are you using? Some salts have high levels to give a boost for water changes. Some salts have lower levels and won’t effect parameters as much. All depends on where you like to keep things.

I’m using Red Sea coral pro salt. Should I do a full water change, 25% or 50%?

 

[manuel josephh]

Before you start doing water changes are you certain the test is accurate?

Yeap. I did the test multiple times. I’m using salifert.

 

[manuel josephh]

Before you start doing water changes are you certain the test is accurate?

The thing is, my corals Look fine though

 

[Reefer5640]

Yeah I’d do increments of 25%. Then test. Then do another 25%, then test

 

[Reefer5640]

Well you could mix a small container of fresh salt water and test it. The salt you have I believe says on the bucket it should be around 12. I used that salt for a long time.

 

[vetteguy53081]

5ml or alk won’t do this. Your readings- are you by chance using API test kits?
what is she of tank and how did you acclimate them and for how long?
I suspect ammonia spike or low saturated oxygen
Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?