Quarantine tank

[M46]

Not seeing any water movement in the quarantine tank. I use a hang-on back filter with just floss to catch uneaten food.
Plus I use a small powerhead to create surface movement which is good for O2 exchange.
Then I'm assuming the sponge filter has not been cycled. So there is

I have hang on back filter and Bacto- surge sponge filter kit so there was enough water movement . QT has not been cycled . Picture after I started to de-assemble tank

 

[mfinn]

I have hang on back filter and Bacto- surge sponge filter kit so there was enough water movement . QT has not been cycled . Picture after I started to de-assemble tank

One of the reasons ( besides O2 exchange) I like to use a small powerhead in a qt tank, along with the other pieces of equipment is once the fish is settled in, but seems to not care for the food you have, I like to drop stuff like frozen mysis or brine shrimp in the water stream of the powerhead. Makes it look like the food is trying to swim away and helps start a feeding response.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is my 2nd fish (fox face, blue tang), which died in less than 24 hours in QT. New fish from store

QT: new 20 gal tank
Not cycled
Amonia 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8
Water RODI
Salinity 1.023
PVC hiding pipe
Sponge filter with air exchange
Thermometer
Filter with sponge
NO copper treatment , no medication
Temperature. 75
any ideas what is killing the fishes?

Add liquid bacteria for the sponge

Lack of water movement- Power filter will help

Raise Temp 77-79

Ammonia and Nitrate = 0 > > What test kits are you using ?

How was fish breathing?
Any lethargic behavior or swimming ?
How did you acclimate fish to the quarantine tank and for how long ?

 

[JumboShrimp]

We forgot to welcome you to R2R, @M46. Don’t think anyone is trying to do anything but be helpful here. Those were two fairly expensive fish that were swimming around happily at the LFS (or you wouldn’t have picked them out), dead within 24 hours later. Maybe cull through these suggestions so far and see what can be improved.

 

[M46]

Do you test the LFS water? I have seen LFSs that have ‘wacky’ salinity levels! Also does that sponge-contraption pump out enough air to really bubble the surface?

I don’t test water from LFS they said it’s 1.020 I have second QT tank with same sponge pump and it’s enough air

 

[JumboShrimp]

Then “start” testing LFS water. When you get a bag home (as I once did) and it tests-out at 1.028, you’ll be glad you didn’t trust what you were told. Just sayin’ .

 

[M46]

75 seems a bit chilly. I'd run 78, but I wouldn't think that would be lethal. Ph and Salinity are also a little low.

One thing I did when setting up my first ever QT tank (which was totally successful) was get some Microbacter Start, and added the recommended amount every day per directions, and then any time I registered any ammonia (testing every day) dosed it again. Within a week or so, I never got another ammonia reading.

75 seems a bit chilly. I'd run 78, but I wouldn't think that would be lethal. Ph and Salinity are also a little low.

One thing I did when setting up my first ever QT tank (which was totally successful) was get some Microbacter Start, and added the recommended amount every day per directions, and then any time I registered any ammonia (testing every day) dosed it again. Within a week or so, I never got another ammonia reading.

I use ammonia alert by Seachem I did add some bacteria

 

[M46]

You don't describe how they looked before or after death. Velvet can kill that quick. Following acclimation procedures, I am treating all new fish to a 10 minute saltwater dip using Hydroplex. That will immediately kill any bugs on them. Then they go into Cupramine or Copper Power in quarantine following Jay Hemdal's thread procedures.

They were ok I would not buy a sick fish with ick or velvet I could see on theme

 

[Sebastiancrab]

@M46

I have brought home two sets of damsels from different LFS. All of the fish were dead within 24 to 48 hours from velvet. You couldn't see the illness when I initially brought them home or in the stores.

 

[M46]

Are you buying the fish locally?

Ordering online?

What did you do to acclimate?

Locally

How was your acclimation procedure? Temp and salinity being the big ones. All the rest is not really relevant for the first 24hrs. I also add an airstone (in addition to the sponge filter) so that there is absolutely no chance of oxygen going down.

30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use ammonia alert by Seachem I did add some bacteria

Ammonia alert as reliable as API test kits. - They produce false readings as they are also useable for freshwater.

 

[LAA]

This is my 2nd fish (fox face, blue tang), which died in less than 24 hours in QT. New fish from store

QT: new 20 gal tank
Not cycled
Amonia 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8
Water RODI
Salinity 1.023
PVC hiding pipe
Sponge filter with air exchange
Thermometer
Filter with sponge
NO copper treatment , no medication
Temperature. 75
any ideas what is killing the fishes?

Well the tank wasn’t cycled… maybe try adding something from main tank that has bacteria on it. Test the LFS water may be there fault.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Locally

30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank

Acclimation may be part of issue. Every 4 mins is fairly rapid.
Float for 20-30 minutes
Transfer fish and water into a clean bucket

Then . . . .

Add a cup of tank water to bucket every 15 mins 6-8 times (almost 2 hours)
Then check salinity in bucket and compare to tank. If no match or very close, add a cup of water every few mins until youve reached salinity and trap fish in same cup and pour off water and release into display. Release under LOW light before lights out.

 

[M46]

Add liquid bacteria for the sponge

Lack of water movement- Power filter will help

Raise Temp 77-79

Ammonia and Nitrate = 0 > > What test kits are you using ?

How was fish breathing?
Any lethargic behavior or swimming ?
How did you acclimate fish to the quarantine tank and for how long ?

I use Seachem ammonia alert for QT. Fish was scared and in stress no gasping for air. Hiding .30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank . About 50 min total

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use Seachem ammonia alert for QT. Fish was scared and in stress no gasping for air. Hiding .30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank . About 50 min total

Acclimation may be part of issue. Every 4 mins is fairly rapid.
Float for 20-30 minutes
Transfer fish and water into a clean bucket

Then . . . .

Add a cup of tank water to bucket every 15 mins 6-8 times (almost 2 hours)
Then check salinity in bucket and compare to tank. If no match or very close, add a cup of water every few mins until youve reached salinity and trap fish in same cup and pour off water and release into display. Release under LOW light before lights out.

 

[Jekyl]

Welcome ti R2R btw. Always glad to see new people.

 

[M46]

How was your acclimation procedure? Temp and salinity being the big ones. All the rest is not really relevant for the first 24hrs. I also add an airstone (in addition to the sponge filter) so that there is absolutely no chance of oxygen going down.

30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank

 

[M46]

Acclimation may be part of issue. Every 4 mins is fairly rapid.
Float for 20-30 minutes
Transfer fish and water into a clean bucket

Then . . . .

Add a cup of tank water to bucket every 15 mins 6-8 times (almost 2 hours)
Then check salinity in bucket and compare to tank. If no match or very close, add a cup of water every few mins until youve reached salinity and trap fish in same cup and pour off water and release into display. Release under LOW light before lights out.

I will try that . If I new that’s the cause

 

[Jekyl]

30 min float bag in tank, dose 1/2 cup water from tank every 4 min until double , remove 1/2 water from bag and dose again until double every 4 min , remove fish from bag and place to tank

@vetteguy53081 gave some good advice. I believe he owned a fish store for 30 years. He's currently building my new swimming pool lol.

 

[M46]

One of the reasons ( besides O2 exchange) I like to use a small powerhead in a qt tank, along with the other pieces of equipment is once the fish is settled in, but seems to not care for the food you have, I like to drop stuff like frozen mysis or brine shrimp in the water stream of the powerhead. Makes it look like the food is trying to swim away and helps start a feeding response.

Fish was eating and gone in 12 hours