Is my bta killing my fish

[SlugSnorter]

The BTA is not full, but has finally stopped moving around right in front of an outflow. He's about 1/3 size from when I bought him.

interesting. Params? how long has the BTA been in the tank?

 

[sdr]

How low is low? Anything with params usually would affect inverts first. A lot can affect pH but it’s generally not a big killer.

around 7.4, it's my home test, will go to my store to get water and a full test this afternoon.

 

[sdr]

interesting. Params? how long has the BTA been in the tank?

i have had him about a month

 

[SlugSnorter]

around 7.4, it's my home test, will go to my store to get water and a full test this afternoon.

thats quite low, other params?

 

[Duncan62]

My tank is a 90 gallon, bow front corner. We set it up in January. We only use ROI water, run 2 cannister filters an a power head. We have been dealing with alge, green hair and red slime, so we added a protein skimmer and snails, hermits, sea urchins, It's still not under control. I have lost 3 anthias and now my lemark angel. The fish all looked healthy, just didn't eat one night, then they were dead the next morning. My Ph is low, but is that because the fish died or why they died? We only test once a week.

Canisters. What's your nitrate level. And others please.

 

[sdr]

What are the actual numbers of the parameters though? Algae is most likely because of the cannister filters, they need to be cleaned at least 2 times everyweek unless they start increasing phosphates and nitrates. Ran a cannister before and would never do it again, too much of a PITA

what do you use instead of canisters? a sump?

 

[dedragon]

around 7.4, it's my home test, will go to my store to get water and a full test this afternoon.

ask what test kits they use, if they use API I wouldnt trust the results of the tests at all

 

[sdr]

does uronema cause loss of appetite? RN it seems like velvet to me, maybe brought in by the BTA.

no, they are really bleached out

 

[dedragon]

what do you use instead of canisters? a sump?

yes ideally but I find even hang on back filters to be better as maintenance is just that much easier

 

[SlugSnorter]

no, they are really bleached out

I don't understand.

 

[dedragon]

no, they are really bleached out

are the fish covered in a white substance or is the anemone bleached?

 

[sdr]

If you Found the fish, it wasn't the bta. It May catch and consume a sick or lethargic fish, but would be hard pressed to kill a healthy one.

I would First be looking at water parameters as this is the easiest thing to confirm in good order, then switch to identifying what disease may be in the tank.

Can you give us more info please on the tank please? Full current Parameters, fish list, TIMELINE of anything added in the last 3 months and a timeline of fish deaths? Maybe we can help steer.

Timeline is why i keep thinking the BTA. When I lost the 2 anthias last week, our Ph was down, we did a water change and went to our store, (it is Premier Reef and they are excellent so I am sure the tests are top of the line) all our parameters were perfect. Now here I am again. My lemark angel has been in the tank for over 2 months, the anthias are the last I added, got a big beautiful male & 4 females

 

[Duncan62]

what do you use instead of canisters? a sump?

Hang on back units are available that include areas for a skimmer and small refugium. I would personally recommend a sump if your serious about the hobby. Your animals can withstand lots if they're healthy and they can't be healthy without proper filtration. It'll help your algae problem too.

 

[sdr]

Canisters. What's your nitrate level. And others please.

Salinity 1.025
KH 9.6
CA 430
MG 1380
No3 7
Po4 0.1

 

[sdr]

are the fish covered in a white substance or is the anemone bleached?

No white substance, the Lemark looked normal, just dead, the anthia's were bleached white, anemone isn't bleached

 

[dedragon]

No harm asking them what tests they use though.

next fish that dies i would take a picture of, i would probably go fallow for awhile unless you have any other fish in the tank. Afterwards only use either pre quarantined fish or quarantine the fish yourself.

It is not the bubble tip anemone killing your fish. It could be something in there killing them like a mantis but you wouldnt find the fishes body if killed by the anemone or a mantis as they would eat them

 

[Cell]

So angel owned for 2 months and healthy. Anthias added not long ago and died, angel then followed suit, correct? No QT on anthias performed? Do you have inverts? Inverts and bta all fine? Any fish remaining?

Disease brought in by anthias most likely scenario if only fish died.

 

[Duncan62]

Salinity 1.025
KH 9.6
CA 430
MG 1380
No3 7
Po4 0.1

I think your algae outbreak is keeping your nitrate artificially low. The canisters end product is nitrate which is feeding your algae bloom. Manually remove as much of it as you can. Then reconsider the canisters. I kept a couple fish only tanks on canisters and nutrients were impossible to manage.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not sure how any assessments are being made without pics under white lighting. Additionally, your parameters do not suggest water quality issues but what test kits are you using?
-RODI water or tap water from the faucet?
Anemones are opportunistic and not hunters and would consume a fish dead or weakened.
spikes are a possibility as it appears tank is under filtered or at minimum filtration with mechanical filtration and lack of chemical and biological ability causing possible low oxygen

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Not sure how any assessments are being made without pics under white lighting.

That's easy, none have been provided.

appears tank is under filtered or at minimum filtration with mechanical filtration and lack of chemical and biological ability causing possible low oxygen

Is this not an assessment?

If you want more details, request them as over a dozen others have already.