Largest WC Possible ?

[Cheetah]

My neighbor setup a new 100g fowlr tank about four months ago. It only has 2 fish and parameters are zero, 1.025, and 8.2 pH.

Only thing is those two fish have been breathing heavily since they've been in the tank.

The only WC has been 50 gallon evap top up. Would a 80% put the fish into shock? Or would 20% a week over a month be better?

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Cheetah]

Sorry this should be in the salt water forum. Could a mod move it.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[mach_six]

Am I reading it correctly that he lost 50% of the water in the tank before topping it off?

It doesn't seem like the tank has enough bio-load to cycle properly if the fish are breathing heavily.

 

[Kevin8888]

Am I reading it correctly that he lost 50% of the water in the tank before topping it off?.

I am also confuzed, is this a total top up of 50gal or one top up? as if you let the water get that low, the fish would have been harmed by the double salinity...
At the same time, breathing heavy is often a sign of current or recent ammonia problems as it "burns" their gills.
Other issues could be the oxygen levels are to low... do you have some sort of airaition system? Or possibly parisites, I believe things like Ich can effect the gills.
How often are the perameters checked? How much LR and when was it added? How long have you had the fish in the tank? Is there anything visualy wrong with the fish other then the breathing? (like sores redness, lost scales, white or black spots that are not supposed to be there) Lastly what species? These questions will help us figure out whats wrong, we need as much info on the tank/fish/setup as possible to be able to help effectively without actualy being there.

 

[Cheetah]

The top up was done over several weeks (not a single 50% change at once). Its a open top with a lot of flow.

About 15lbs of porous lr, added at time of system start up. The two fish are a Naso and Hippo tang about 2-3 inches long. They were added three months ago after the system cycled.

No other signs of trouble except heavy gill and mouth movement.

I've been checking the levels weekly for the past month. No airpumps, but about 4 Koraila 2's. A lot of ripples on surface, so I don't see o2 as the problem.

Two AC110's with a bag of purigen in each.

No lights on tank. Fed every other day with Nori.

No sump, no skimmer, and no RO.

I think I covered everything ?

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[mach_six]

So during that 3 months time all he had in there was 15lb or porous LR that looks like it could be dead rock? Did he do anything during that 3 months to seed it or that was it? Did he add some pieces of shrimp or whatever to build up the bacteria for a fish less cycle.

It seems to me the tank never cycled. I'd remove the Purigen. That stuff from what I read about it removes organic wastes which the bacteria needs to establish and grow.

Did any of the tests during that 3 months period ever spike and drop?

 

[Kevin8888]

About 15lbs of porous lr, added at time of system start up. The two fish are a Naso and Hippo tang about 2-3 inches long. They were added three months ago after the system cycled.
I've been checking the levels weekly for the past month. No airpumps, but about 4 Koraila 2's. A lot of ripples on surface, so I don't see o2 as the problem.
Two AC110's with a bag of purigen in each.
No lights on tank. Fed every other day with Nori.
No sump, no skimmer, and no RO.

I'm not going to lie... I don't know how its possible that you have 0 parms with just 15lb of live (assuming its live) and purigen... I've never used the product... but even a good product requires more... but I suppose its possible.
So, if they tank actualy has no ammonia or nitrite or nitrate problems, and no visible problems with the fish. I would say its Oxygen, the Koraila powerheads wont likely add much O2 to the system even with "ripples on the surface" if your talking white cap waves... then maybe (dont try it, creates more problems like salt creep and what have you) but not ripples, I would say get a cheap air pump/airstone and drop it in there for a few days, worst case it doesnt help and you need to keep looking.
WRT the comment about the 15lb of live, it should probably be enough, considering the light stocking and minimal waste food.

 

[mr.reef24]

sounds like the tank is not been cycled, the salinity is off most likely and water parameters and there is insufficient oxygen in the water for the fish ( e.g. heavy breathing fish ) my advice to him is start with testing the water everyday for 2 week's get a schedule of what is happening with the water. Then get a refractometer to sufficiently measure the salinity. Add more powerheads to get some oxygen in the tank and go get some ( Instant Ocean Bio-Spira ) and this book;

http://www.marinedepot.com/The_New_...uarium_Books-House_Brand-BKNMA-FIBKSW-vi.html

have him read it thoroughly till he can handle the tank and not miss out on the hobby and loss fish and money from beginner mistakes. If any more help is needed send me a private message anytime

mr.reef24

 

[spotfin]

With 2 AC 110s on the tank, there should be enough surface agitation to provide oxygen for the 2 small fish.

 

[Kevin8888]

With 2 AC 110s on the tank, there should be enough surface agitation to provide oxygen for the 2 small fish.

Well if that is the case, (never used the product) then the fish should be fine considering that the parameters are all zero... which makes me assume again that they are not 0 as the fish are not fine.