Clownfish Help!

So I just did a 10% water change and now one of my Ocellaris isn't doing so well. She is panting pretty hard and just sitting in one spot. Her mate is right there next to her doing fine and nuzzling her. My levels are all good: nitrite/nitrates are 0, ammonia is 0, pH is 8.1, temp is steady at 79 and sg is 1.024. The water I did the change with was the same sg and it was distilled water, haven't gotten out to get a ro/di unit yet. I use Instant Ocean salt. Does anybody know what could be going on?

 

I have no idea, but I just wanted to express my concern. I hope she gets better!!

 

I am new to the hobby and do not know alot. I would like to share what happened to me once. I use LFS water for top (RO) off and for water changes (salt). I tried a different store once because it was colser. Not nicer just closer. My fish freaked out about the different water. It took 2-3 days for them to come around. I hope your fish are OK and pull through. Did you change salt type?? Just a thought.

Tony G I

 

No, the salt type is the same one that I've used from the start. Since you mentioned the change in water type, the only thing that I have done different is the use of distilled water. I have been using tap water with the addition of a conditioner and Prime. I switched over to the distilled because I am starting to get a problem with hair algae and a few others growing. Maybe this is the cause of her freaking out. Any other thoughts would be helpful.

 

how long did you let the water sit after you mixed it with the salt before putting it in your tank?

 

It was a couple of hours, not sure on the exact time frame. It was the same amount that I've always done and never had this happen before. What should be the appropriate amount of time to let it sit? Sad news though, when I checked the tank this morning, the female clown was dead and her mate is MIA, presumed dead though. I searched the tank, picking up various rocks and have not seen him anywhere. All of my other livestock is out and moving this morning, even one of my mushrooms finished splitting during the night. Does anyone know what could have caused this so I can be sure to avoid it in the future.

 

you need to let the water you mix sit for at least 24 hours - preferably with a power head mixing it. This is very important.

the SG of the mix only 2 hours after you mix it may not have actually matched, not to mention the pH, etc.

this was most likely your problem and you were only lucky the other times... next time, mix it 24 hours before you plan to use it and then test your SG.

 

Ok, will do. Thanks for the advice.

 

never had good luck Ocellaris

 

Distilled water can have problems that aren't very apparent. Distilled water is void of any elements, yet can contain heavy metals traces in it, depending on how the distilling process is done. I would highly recommend going to a grocery store and using the RO water station they usually have out front. The algae problem could be from the water you are using, since it can easily contain silicates and phosphates.
Before we go too much further into that, how old is your tank?