Total chaos

[ShanesClowns]

Hello all and thanks in advance for your time

I have been in the fish keeping for almost 20 years , I have had a 55g tank setup with live rock with no filter for 15 years with clownfish and anemones , I have even bred clownfish babies.

About 4 weeks ago I decided my glass tank which is 15 years old was on its last leg due to other articles I have read so I decided to upgrade to a 75g.

Well I got the tank the rock (from my current tank) new live sand and natures ocean saltwater.

I set up my new tank , put in the rock the sand and the water , raised temperature and added my 2 saddlebacks from my old tank. I didn't realize the natures ocean was 1.027 so I lost one saddleback I lowered the salinity asap to 1.023.

Everything was going good I thought until the other saddleback was breathing heavy and rubbing on the rock and acting a little nuts.

I added a few fish and to make a long story short 1 at a time the fish started dying. After showing skin like disease signs.

I don't know what the disease is or how to treat.

Water parameters are

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate -.50
Salinity
1.023
Temp - 77
Phos- trace
Calcium- 400

I also have 2 Haitian nems
1 bubble tip

Dotty back died today

Stock left
2 Clarke clowns
1 clown wrasse
1 lawnmower blenny
1 fire shrimp


Please let me know what to do

One clarkii looking to be next

I hav done after changes , have protein skimmer and chemi pure in filter

Sorry about the length wanted everyone to have all the info

Thanks again

Shane

 

[tupes]

How long was it after you started the tank that you added the livestock?

At what point did you test the parameters of the new tank.

 

[ShanesClowns]

How long was it after you started the tank that you added the livestock?

At what point did you test the parameters of the new tank.

I tested the water the next day I only added the 2 saddlebacks from the old tank than waited 2 weeks to add other fish

I figured since I had a established tank that I would not have to go thru a cycle!!

 

[Neo Jeo]

Welcome to the site!!!

 

[tupes]

You need to test your water ASAP.

If you took sand, rock and water from the existing tank you wouldve had a better chance.

Very good possibility you are having a cycle and that is a lot of live stock to add at one time to a new tank.

 

[tupes]

And welcome to the site. You definitely came to the right place.

 

[ajhudson15]

I would say probably shock. you went from a 15 to a 75 which means you had to use a lot of new water. Its possibly that the small amount of rock and sand in the 15 wasn't enough to fully set up the 75 that quick and its wanting to mini cycle again

 

[ShanesClowns]

Thanks all

I went from a 55 to a 75

I didn't use any water cause I was told it didn't matter but I used all the rock and half the sand

So now the bigger question is I either have ick or fluke in the tank that are killing my bone stressed fish how do I proceed

Thank you all for your help, this is a great hobby and a great forum.

Appreciate you all

 

[ShanesClowns]

Welcome to the site!!!

NEO is your avatar a real fish ??

 

[EmdeReef]

Welcome to R2R!

Agree it’s likely a salinity shock + potential ammonia spike. I would consider dosing Prime until your cycle completes.

 

[ShanesClowns]

Welcome to R2R!

Agree it’s likely a salinity shock + potential ammonia spike. I would consider dosing Prime until your cycle completes.

I having been adding prime but how much and how often?

 

[EmdeReef]

I having been adding prime but how much and how often?

It’s unusual that you would have 0 ammonia after adding prime. What test kit are you using?

Dosing would depend on your cycle, if after 24hrs you still have no detectable nitrites or higher nitrates you can re-dose. Make sure to have very good flow when dosing prime too as it can deplete oxygen.

 

[ShanesClowns]

It’s unusual that you would have 0 ammonia after adding prime. What test kit are you using?

Dosing would depend on your cycle, if after 24hrs you still have no detectable nitrites or higher nitrates you can re-dose. Make sure to have very good flow when dosing prime too as it can deplete oxygen.

API test kit

I put a few drops of prime when I do a water change

 

[tupes]

1st change test kits. If you search the forum there are several good threads in reference to kits people use including myself.

If you put the dead fish in a dark colored bucket with water (can be tap) you will see what looks like sesame seeds in the bottom of the bucket coming out the gills. Which would be flukes.

 

[ShanesClowns]

1st change test kits. If you search the forum there are several good threads in reference to kits people use including myself.

If you put the dead fish in a dark colored bucket with water (can be tap) you will see what looks like sesame seeds in the bottom of the bucket coming out the gills. Which would be flukes.

Thank you I will check and see if another fish passes,

I will check ththe forums for better test kits, can you tell me what kit you prefer?

Should I pull out anemones and treat the tank ?

 

[jtl]

I once had flukes with no obvious signs until it was too late. I did see them once I caught the fish and place them in fresh water. I guess with the fish coloration and the lighting I missed it. I dosed Prazipro in the DT without any issues and the remaining fish survived.

 

[tupes]

Thank you I will check and see if another fish passes,

I will check ththe forums for better test kits, can you tell me what kit you prefer?

Should I pull out anemones and treat the tank ?

Salifert, RedSea, hanna instruments

 

[Neo Jeo]

NEO is your avatar a real fish ??

No lol but I have read they are coming up with them! Soon I hope

https://reefbuilders.com/2018/03/05/blue-clownfish/

 

[ShanesClowns]

I once had flukes with no obvious signs until it was too late. I did see them once I caught the fish and place them in fresh water. I guess with the fish coloration and the lighting I missed it. I dosed Prazipro in the DT without any issues and the remaining fish survived.

JTL

so I have like 4 fish left and 2 anemones , I dosed the tank with prazipro , turned off protein skimmer, pulled carbon turned off UV filter , I have my maxspect running as usual and now what juts wait 5 days and do a water change ?

When do I turn protein skimmer back in?

Do I sonthe meds again?

Thanks again to all for your advice?

Thanks
Shane

 

[jtl]

I'm not sure that I even turned off the skimmer. Retreat after 5 days.