Sorry to hear it. I'm a firefighter and was gone to work for 3 days. Had a carpet anemone that must have died out the second I left the house. Came back home to soup. Grieved. But went big. Bought a 220g and lived on. Point is they only have a life because of us giving them one. So grieve and live on let them live the life we give them.
Just need to vent..
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Aquamomma85
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So I use small town city water not sure how to get those readings u mentioned but my fish died 2 days after the wc and my home was built in the early 20s so yes it's old I did a fairly large wc because I was rearranging rock work
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Aquamomma85
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I get that but I'm pretty attached to my fish and know they count on me to give them the best living conditions so when I fail to do that I guess I just take it hard . But I have decided to keep my tank and just gather more info from you guys on what I can do better
Indytraveler83
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Totally understand. I hate it when any of my animals die. I've been going round and round with anthias and it kills me when they can't survive QT.
If I were you, I'd invest in RODI, as there's a lot of warning flags about your water source. I use tap too, but live in an area with known good water quality. Even then I know I'm playing with fire a bit.
When you get more livestock, I'd stick with species that are fairly hardy at first to help with your confidence (copperbands for instance are hard to keep even for the experts) and shy away from inverts that can nuke the tank (sea cucumbers, certain anemones) Spending some time with a known stable system can help you feel better for the future.
Okay, so if you do a search for "TOWN NAME water quality report" on google or yahoo, you should find a pdf file somewhere online - hopefully fairly recently. For my town, Minot ND, the most recent WC report is 2018, I believe. The water quality reports are generated in labs that use good wet chemistry titration, ICP and other well-regarded methods to produce high-accuracy water reports that include things like NO3 and PO4 among many other parameters. See if you can find that. What you're looking for specifically, if you can, is what your main reef params are - like Ca, Mg, ALK (although this is usually listed in other ways like total hardness or carbonate hardness), K, PO4, NO2 and NO3.
What volume was your water change?
What I am thinking is that your salt will probably mix to values near natural seawater - *if* mixed up using water with zero concentrations of these ions and elements. But, if your values in tap are higher, the values in the resulting mixed salt water will be that amount higher as well.
For example, in my town, the tested value for nitrate (NO3) was 0.06 - so even if I mixed with tap, I would have fairly low nitrates in my new seawater (NSW). Not particularly problematic, as I would end up with NSW that has 0.06ppm of NO3 - no way will that hurt anything.
However - Ca is a different story. I use Instant Ocean, and I preach to anyone who will listen not to use anything else. It mixes up to values near what the ocean has when mixed with RODI water (I get around 9.5-10 ALK, 420 or so Ca and 1320 or so Mg. But... if I were to mix my NSW with tap water in my town, I would end up with 59+420 or 479ppm - because my town has 59ppm Ca out of the tap. Potentially more problematic is ALK. My municipality has pretty hard water - the hardness is listed at 140ppm. Total hardness includes all species of carbonates dissolved in the solution, whereas ALK refers to only the sum of the hydroxide, carbonate, and bicarbonate ions in the solution. So they are measuring different things, but can be related. I don't know of a way of converting one to the other, but I am pretty sure that were I to mix up my IO with tap water, my ALK would probably be quite a bit higher than normal - so if I did a W/C using that tap, I *could* definitely upset some of my critters.
How hgh are the chloramines in your tap? Can you taste or smell chlorine? Ever test for copper or lead? (these will be listed in your water quality report, but the values may vary because of pipes, etc.).
Have you ever done tests on your tap water before mixing up a batch of NSW? I'd test NO3, Ca, and ALK and see where your tap is at. This could help eliminate your tap water as a potential source of the problem.
tripdad
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Ok, the reason I asked was that you seem to be humming along without too much trouble and then have a sudden event. A water conditioner will only remove so much chlorine(actually it binds it rending it unavailable for reaction). A massive treatment of city pipes may overwhelm your conditioner. So, what I'm looking for is what changed? What is different than before as far as protocol, additions, removals, methods? Start here by sitting down and doing a diary of the week prior to and thru the bad event. Put down everything no matter how small. Now, what changed? If nothing changed on your end then look outside your control. Since your using treated tap, then start there. Did "IT" change? Did the city add something to treat the system? You can call your water board and ask, they may or may not answer. If you changed nothing, not one thing, then you have to look at outside factors. Pollution or toxin or possibly electrical failure. Toxin can certainly come from a cuc but in a 300 gal that would have to be a fat son of a gun. I've lost a 5" tigertail in a 40 breeder with no loss of life. Electrical can be tested for easily, do a search on this board. Good luck and stay strong!
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Aquamomma85
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Thanks so much for the helpful words of wisdom I will definitely be putting it to use .
So sorry for the loss. I agree you need to know what happened.
Looking at your city water report is wasted time.
The samples are taken at the source of production.
The water from that point traveling through who knows what is nowhere near apples for apples, especially if the report is over a year old.
I recomend finding a lab in your area to have your water tested from the Faucet you get your water from.
I just did my test, cost me $185.00 and it took them 5 days. I would call your local analytics lab and they will guide you through the process.
Its not a big deal. Just fill a couple of bottles and fill out a form.
You said your home was built in the 20s.
I have to assume the plumbing has been replaced but if not, I would start using water from the LFS or other store.
If by chance you have any iron pipes still in use could be a major problem.
Water parameters for fish are not as critical but still.
Looking at your city water report is wasted time.
The samples are taken at the source of production.
The water from that point traveling through who knows what is nowhere near apples for apples, especially if the report is over a year old.
I recomend finding a lab in your area to have your water tested from the Faucet you get your water from.
I just did my test, cost me $185.00 and it took them 5 days. I would call your local analytics lab and they will guide you through the process.
Its not a big deal. Just fill a couple of bottles and fill out a form.
You said your home was built in the 20s.
I have to assume the plumbing has been replaced but if not, I would start using water from the LFS or other store.
If by chance you have any iron pipes still in use could be a major problem.
Water parameters for fish are not as critical but still.
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Aquamomma85
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Yes plumbing as been replaced 10 years ago I need to just get an rodi system Lps is 3 hours away lol not super convenient.
Mikeltee
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I too had my tank of 8 years crash. I lost all my fish and corals. I had a guy maintain it since day one. Into was devastated but didnt tell him to stop. For the better part of 3 years I didnt look at that tank... fast forward 3 months ago and I am so happy I didnt get out of the hobby.
If you have the means, get someone to maintain it for you.
If you have the means, get someone to maintain it for you.
I had a tank crash. It is devastating & I felt exactly like you do. Take some time off. Then make a decision. You probably will decide to try again. If you do you will get a lot of support.
When I started back I did so very, very slowly. I got a new tank June 2018. I did not start stocking until Feb. 2019. So you can do whatever is best for you & at the timeline when you are ready. Whatever you decide you have sympathy & support. If you try again- get a mentor. Sympathy sent. I hope you try again. I am so glad I did.
When I started back I did so very, very slowly. I got a new tank June 2018. I did not start stocking until Feb. 2019. So you can do whatever is best for you & at the timeline when you are ready. Whatever you decide you have sympathy & support. If you try again- get a mentor. Sympathy sent. I hope you try again. I am so glad I did.
Louiemiller9
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That is horrible man. Just remember you are NOT the only one. I had my 70 gallon reef tank collapse, talk about a mess. Get back on the horse!
