What is happening?

[Mollygirl97]

Hey I’m not sure if this is the right thread to use and talk but I was wondering why my tank is cloudy I’m new to the hobby as well my serpent star has dropped most legs and don’t know why?? Any answers?

 

[BighohoReef]

Most likely a bacteria bloom if your starfish is having an adverse reaction, this typically happens when there is a good amount of organic material in your water column.

First things first though... need to identify what's happening to help with diagnosis. We can eliminate the possibility of the following:
Substate brush up? use the same glass method, to solve you'd make changes to your flow pattern.
Calcium precipitation - do you dose anything into your tank? If this is the case pull a glass of water out of the tank if anything settles at the bottom that could be the culprit.
Algae bloom - Is the cloud green/greenish? UV sterilizer and light reduction will help eliminate this over time.

How long has your tank been established?
Are you running a protein skimmer?
What do you have in your tank
How often are you feeding?
What's your light schedule?

I know lots of questions but it'll help in the diagnosis

 

[Mollygirl97]

Most likely a bacteria bloom if your starfish is having an adverse reaction, this typically happens when there is a good amount of organic material in your water column.

First things first though... need to identify what's happening to help with diagnosis. We can eliminate the possibility of the following:
Substate brush up? use the same glass method, to solve you'd make changes to your flow pattern.
Calcium precipitation - do you dose anything into your tank? If this is the case pull a glass of water out of the tank if anything settles at the bottom that could be the culprit.
Algae bloom - Is the cloud green/greenish? UV sterilizer and light reduction will help eliminate this over time.

How long has your tank been established?
Are you running a protein skimmer?
What do you have in your tank
How often are you feeding?
What's your light schedule?

I know lots of questions but it'll help in the diagnosis

The tank is about 2 weeks old I feed brine shrimp light schedule is 12pm to 12 am no protein skimmer? Another arm just fell off the starfish I think he might be too far gone not sure to take out if tank, the cloudiness is not greenish there is a lot a lot of particles flying around

 

[Mollygirl97]

The tank is about 2 weeks old I feed brine shrimp light schedule is 12pm to 12 am no protein skimmer? Another arm just fell off the starfish I think he might be too far gone not sure to take out if tank, the cloudiness is not greenish there is a lot a lot of particles flying around

Nothing is settling at the bottom of the glass

 

[BighohoReef]

The tank is about 2 weeks old I feed brine shrimp light schedule is 12pm to 12 am no protein skimmer? Another arm just fell off the starfish I think he might be too far gone not sure to take out if tank, the cloudiness is not greenish there is a lot a lot of particles flying around

Most likely a bacteria bloom in this case and probably an ammonia spike because of bacteria die off. That is most likely what is cause your starfish to die.

Few more questions:
Did you have a chance to cycle the tank?
Do you have a way to test your water parameters?
What is the size of your tank?

A couple of recommendations:
Test your water parameters... know what chemistry is off in your tank.
If you are going through an ammonia spike you'll want to wait it out you ultimately will want to get to a healthy nitrate level. Do some research on cycling saltwater tanks. If you are going through an ammonia spike your fish and corals will suffer. Just be prepared for a possibility of them dying.
I'd also reduce the amount of light or have no light at all during a cycling process to reduce the amount of algae build up that can happen.

I'll keep following along with you... Happy to help in whatever way I can.

One last thing if anything this is one golden rule to remember in reefing which is to take your time. Patience is this hobby will deliver the best results.

 

[Mollygirl97]

Thank you so much we just took our water to get tested and they said everything is fine except the ph is at 7.8 I’m turning off my light the starfish is still moving that’s why I’m not taking it out yet it is a 9 gallon tank I just tested and everything is normal but the ph

 

[El_Guapo13]

Two weeks is too soon to be adding a brittle or serpent star. They need established tanks, or else they will either starve to death or, in the case of parameters not being stable, will have an adverse reaction to parameter swings and die from that.

 

[BighohoReef]

Thank you so much we just took our water to get tested and they said everything is fine except the ph is at 7.8 I’m turning off my light the starfish is still moving that’s why I’m not taking it out yet it is a 9 gallon tank I just tested and everything is normal but the ph

Let your tank establish a little more... The smaller water column is tougher because any change that happens will happen quickly... so spikes in water quality will have a faster impact on your livestock.

Also, reduce the amount of food you are feeding... I would love a second on this but move to every other day or smaller amounts.

You should also invest in your own testing kit. API, Salifert or Red Sea in addition to a refractometer to test your salinity.

Keep me posted on where you're at in a few days.

 

[Mollygirl97]

Two weeks is too soon to be adding a brittle or serpent star. They need established tanks, or else they will either starve to death or, in the case of parameters not being stable, will have an adverse reaction to parameter swings and die from that.

I wish the fish store would have told us that when they sold it to us cause it saddens me deeply that he’s passing the fish store sold us all the tank and stuff and said come back in 2 days and get you a invert

 

[Mollygirl97]

Let your tank establish a little more... The smaller water column is tougher because any change that happens will happen quickly... so spikes in water quality will have a faster impact on your livestock.

Also, reduce the amount of food you are feeding... I would love a second on this but move to every other day or smaller amounts.

You should also invest in your own testing kit. API, Salifert or Red Sea in addition to a refractometer to test your salinity.

Keep me posted on where you're at in a few days.

Thank you for all the help maybe in a month I’ll try again for a star

 

[Reeferdude1888]

Hi were a ll make mistakes at some point weather it at the start or further down the line as long a Wee learn from it ,let the tank mature it is only an infinite it will take time to mature but don't fuss with it to mutch patience is key and it will pay of for you in the long run so welcome to the hobby .

 

[Cell]

Not an uncommon experience with some LFS's. Now you know to avoid that one in the future.