Why I failed TTM?

[LagunaGlide]

I picked up 2 purple fire fish on Friday evening. I filled a new 10gallon aquarium with proper salinity and proper temp water. Added several pieces of clean PVC. Heater, and new sponge air filter for oxygen. Floated the fish and dropped them in. Lights out for the night no issues. In the morning I tried to feed and neither ate. Tested for ammonia, and none present. Went out with the wife for awhile, and when I came home one of the fish was dead, and the other was swimming a bit. Removed dead fish and tested water. All was good, but I added a cap of prime anyhow just in case. Tried to feed that night, and remaining fish would not eat. Fish was dead in the morning.

Tested for ammonia and still none found. Temp was 78, and Salinity was 1.025. Thoughts?

 

[Smo]

What was the salinity of the water they came home in from the LFS?

 

[LagunaGlide]

What was the salinity of the water they came home in from the LFS?

Good question. 1.025. I made sure to get that info before I left.

 

[Smo]

Good question. 1.025. I made sure to get that info before I left.

You get what you inspect—not what you expect. I always test the bag water first and then adjust the QT salinity to match. IME most LFS run a lower salinity for fish because it is cheaper and/or because they are constantly draining their systems when selling livestock and using RODI to top off.
Fish can go down in salinity pretty quick, but don’t do well if forced to go up in salinity too quickly. Not saying this was your issue but would be my first suspicion.

 

[lagatbezan]

Yeah you definitely need to check the water yourself and adjust your qt accordingly. I always make the store give me a sample of the water in a small bag and then I test it when I get home while the fish bag is floating on the tank water to adjust for temperature. This way you can be 100% sure and not have to guess.

 

[LagunaGlide]

Yeah you definitely need to check the water yourself and adjust your qt accordingly. I always make the store give me a sample of the water in a small bag and then I test it when I get home while the fish bag is floating on the tank water to adjust for temperature. This way you can be 100% sure and not have to guess.

That's a good idea. That way you don't have to open the bag to get salinity. Thanks for that tip

 

[Triggreef]

Yeah depending on the LFS they might not even really know what it is. Unfortunately. May or may not have been your issue though. Fish might have died had they stayed at the store as well.

Other question, what type of salt and how long did you let it mix for before using? I've lost fish when I was starting out by simply not letting water mix long enough. I always wait at least 12 hrs now anytime I mix new salt. Some will disagree. But I also have seen SG rise even though salt was totally diluted the night before.

 

[LagunaGlide]

Yeah depending on the LFS they might not even really know what it is. Unfortunately. May or may not have been your issue though. Fish might have died had they stayed at the store as well.

Other question, what type of salt and how long did you let it mix for before using? I've lost fish when I was starting out by simply not letting water mix long enough. I always wait at least 12 hrs now anytime I mix new salt. Some will disagree. But I also have seen SG rise even though salt was totally diluted the night before.

It was mixed the night before. I made sure to have everything ready the night before with intentions to bring fish home

 

[Reef Stu]

You said you had the proper salinity and temp. What about PH?

 

[LagunaGlide]

You said you had the proper salinity and temp. What about PH?

Honestly don't know. I didn't test it. I am picking up a royal gramma today, so will be sure to get a sample and test all and also do a drip

 

[deedubz]

Yeah you definitely need to check the water yourself and adjust your qt accordingly. I always make the store give me a sample of the water in a small bag and then I test it when I get home while the fish bag is floating on the tank water to adjust for temperature. This way you can be 100% sure and not have to guess.

I always ask the vendors before they ship what their salinity is, but I've never thought to ask for a separate sample. That is WONDERFUL advice. Thank you!