It's snowing in my tank

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by Sloanhaus, Sep 6, 2012.

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  1. evolved

    evolved Wrasse Freak

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2010
    Messages:
    4,257
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Ding!

    You're seeing precipitation. The water which you had mixed was way off in chemistry from the water which was in your tank (Alk, Ca, Mg). I'm willing to bet the Alk was 2+ times what you have the tank at, and therefore the pH was very elevated. Combine that with your existing tank water, and precipitation happens. You're looking at dissolved limestone floating throughout your tank.

    In the future, you'll want to do smaller water changes (10-15% of the system's volume). You'll also want to start testing some key parameters of the new water v. your tank's current water before you do a water change, and make adjustments if necessary (Salinity, pH, Temp, Alk, Ca).
     
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  3. Sloanhaus

    Sloanhaus Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2012
    Messages:
    43
    Well I Lost both the tangs overnight. I can't believe how aggressive this stuff was. I didn't lose any of my other fish, just the new ones.
     
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,660
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    Sorry to hear that. It's hard to lose a fish.
     
  5. skyvern2130

    skyvern2130 Stylophora

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2012
    Messages:
    963
    Location:
    Punta Gorda FL
    Where do you live. If in fl or any where like that you may have gotten maquto larva in there cant tell ya. I had that happen once in my freshwater tank and since. The larva can live in both fresh and salt