Cause of death?

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Discuss all topics related to saltwater / reef tanks.


frmnutn2sumtn
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:32 pm

Cause of death?

by frmnutn2sumtn

when i had damsels in the tank cycling it, none of them died until 1 month later ending the cycle. 2 died. Water params were all 0 except nitrate was b/w 5 and 10 ppms. I do use tap water and condition it for top off. I am just wondering of the cause of death was more than likely chronic stress over time. They looked healthy as ever and just got lazy one night and died. I notice they all seems to stay near the heater at night and thats where most of the detritus builds up. Theres enough water movement everywhere alse. Is it possible dead spots, especially if popular to sleep near can break down the fishes immune system even though the readings are saying everything is safe in the tank overall? I noticed when removing the fish, one eye was bulged out. Not sure if this is an indication of one problem or another......Opinions


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

build your rocks up so the fish have a place to hide..if there is not a lot of circulation in one area. you should try to increase or move powerheads to get to thoses area's..is it possable to overdose water conditioner?what is your ph at?


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

also make sure your temp gauge works..


frmnutn2sumtn
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:32 pm

by frmnutn2sumtn

ph looks like its at 8 on the dot..if i am a MJ 400 in that corner im afraid it will blow sand everywhere, but i ordered it yesterday..and there havent really been any acute changes in any params over the month time frame and no disputes occurred b/w fishes...I have not heard of damage caused by conditioner....


frmnutn2sumtn
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:32 pm

by frmnutn2sumtn

and 1 had ich and i feel thats what had done him in(downfalls of a fish cycle)...but the other had no signs of bacterial infection or white spot...could dinoflagellated floating around have caused death even with no signs of white spot...


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

not a criticle issue but i would raise your PH to 8.2 - -- 8 is ok but you don't have much room if you do have a drop for it to be dangerous . . I had a PH drop after my first cycle and lost 2 damsels {not saying that was it but mistieriously died one night exactly the way you explained it, so who knows - - -thats why I did a fishless cycle the second time and things seem to be fine - - i boosted my PH with a product called Marine buffer 8.2 {MADE BY SEACHEM} one table spoon a day disolved in a cup of water for a week and it was right back to 8.2 - -there are all kinds of buffers out there - - up.....down....8.2, 8.0,8.3 etc etc . .Boss


frmnutn2sumtn
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:32 pm

by frmnutn2sumtn

I realized pimp my temp was 82.. I guess because of the power head because i set the heater to 80. Also boss i think your right. Maybe a ph of 8 on the dot is bad because im looking at the range for dams and its 8.1 and up. And considering i read ph drops at night naturally, I can see something happening overnight. Am i on to something here?...


snowboss
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:53 pm

by snowboss

could very well be - -im not familure with that drastic a fluctuation just over night {but I have been known to be wrong, lol} only reason i say that is ...when you use a buffer to raise PH it takes like a week or more to get from 8.0 to 8.2 so i wouldn't think it would swing to crazy over night - - but also like i said....i have been known to be wrong before [ssshhhhhhhhhh, you guys are the only ones that know that though..LMAO]

a thought on the powerhead - -i wouldn't think one power head would caause that much heat .....UNLESS.... it's dirty, clogged or failing....that would cause the motor to "drag" and make heat - - -any of these simptoms are bad....one, over power consumption, two, over heating, three - - - in a bad failure the possability of electrcution is possable = bad for you and bad for fishies....be careful ...Boss


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

try to increase surface agitation. that may help with a low ph. i like a ph of 8.4 so nightly drops would only go to 8.1


snowboss
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:53 pm

by snowboss

see....told you i could be wrong...damn Pimp always pulling the carpet out from under my feet .......LOL

Cause of death?

35 posts • Page 1 of 4

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