Fish die corals live?

CG · 01-19-2004, 04:41 PM

Hey, I lost one of my Clarkiis

But the real reason I'm writing this is because I've lost many fish, bout 6 in the past 4 months, they had been in the tank from 3 weeks to a 3 month before they died, I'm wonderin if their is something that could be affecting the fish but not the corals, because my corals seem to be flourishing. thanks

01-19-2004, 05:54 PM

I would look at the water conditions and hope you are using RO/DI water and just not straight tap water.
City water changes daily and this is could be dangerous to your fish.

Phil5613 · 01-19-2004, 07:19 PM

Check the water but also watch the fish. Any sickness, disease, parasites or aggression? Just because the fish are dying might not mean the Tank is bad, but, Just because the corals are living doesn't mean the the tank is healthy. Clear as mud huh? Where are you buying the fish? What are your feeding habits and diet? What did the lfs feed the fish. Are the fish all compatible? Did you know cyanide stays in the digestive tract so if the fish you are buying are cyanide caught you are essentially poisoning them every time you feed them. Are you at least treating the top off water you use with dechlorinate, Most tap water now contains chloramines instead of chlorine so unlike when you were a kid you can't just assume that if you leave it in a bucket with an open top it will be ok. Chloramine doesn't dissipate or evaporate it must be chemically removed or filtered with a ro unit.

Craig Manoukian · 01-20-2004, 10:05 AM

Can you post the details of your tank in your signature? Tank size , substrate, filtration, etc. This will give us a point of reference from which to help you. In addition, what are your most recent water tests showing and how long has your tank been established?

Thanks and we'll hopefully be able to give you more exacting advice with better information.

CG · 01-20-2004, 05:02 PM

My tanks been going for 5 months, it was...basically out of service for a month and just sat there... but it's back up running and the water parameters are fine, i use ro water from the lfs, all buffed up and everything. i feed my fish blood worms monday, brine shrimp & algae food wensday, then blood worms again on friday, add liquid reactor monday wensday and friday as well. add coral vite saturday, and phytoplankton twice a week, this is what the lfs recommended so...they feed it the same way, maybe they need more food?

CG · 01-20-2004, 05:06 PM

i don't know if this is weird or not but the fish seem to lye on the bottom for 3 or 4 days, and get up and swim when i come near, but then eventually die....also one of the clowns i had a while ago was fine for about 2 months then started to do the same thing, but when i turned off my powerhead for a day it got back up....then died, haha

01-20-2004, 05:23 PM

What are your reading from the test kits? need cal, alk , nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, pH, ammonia, copper and a TDS reading from the RO/DI water before salt is added.
Slow deaths like this are going to be water conditions IMO. Nitrates kill slowly and phosphates do the same.
Do you run a sump and a refugium?
And what test kits (brand name) do you use?

Phil5613 · 01-20-2004, 06:08 PM

Also check how old the test kits are NOT how long ago you bought but the manufacturer date If the test kit is more then a year old I would replace it and then recheck the parameters. Fish lying on the bottom are a sign of bad water parameters I would look at the nitrates. Also what is your water temp? Too high and you aren't oxygenating it enough another way to get the fish to lie down unlike fresh where they gasp at the top. By the way ha ha isn't a great way to be when your fish are dieing.

Craig Manoukian · 01-20-2004, 08:08 PM

In my opion you have too many, 4, fish along with the anenome and corals for a 29 gallon. I have only two small damsels in my 20 gallon. This explains why your fish die as there is not aenough filtration to denitrify the water column. You didn't indicate you have a skimmer, which if true, will only exacerbate the problem.

Don't want to sound like I'm picking on you but you have an overstocked tank that will continue to be a death trap for fish. the rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon. I would guess that you have only 10 -15 gallons of net water volume. You have 12 - 14" of fish now and if you've added that many fish in the short five months, no more than one fish added every 4 - 6 weeks, you are not giving your tank a chance to balance itself out.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we can develop a plan to make your tank fish friendly!

NUGIO · 01-20-2004, 10:16 PM

Dont mean to but in but.... does the same apply to corals. 1 in every few weeks?