300g reef
Blue line 70hd
2 hydor
Ro/Di water
wetdry
Tunze skimmer
Ca Reactor
Chiller
1.5" of sand substrate
300lbs+ of live rock.
H20
Nh4 0
N02 0
N03 10ppm
Ph 8.2
Alk 10
0-.03
Ca 420
I have a client that we maintain their reef tank for the past 6 years very successfully We continually service their tank every 2 weeks with 25% h20 changes and general maintenance. One day they had a die off of all fish. No inverts had died except for cleaner shrimp. Funny thing is that the corals are thriving. We found that the skimmer over collected and expelled the effluent back in to the sump causing a film of protein on the water depriving fish of oxygen. After the fish kill we tore down the reef completely rinsed the rock vacuumed the substrate thoroughly and rebuilt the reef. I have done multiple h20 changes and stabilized the system bringing parameters back in optimal ranges.Yes the kill did add ammonia naturally.
After a few weeks we added a few Chromis that lived for 24hrs then died. The fish showed rapid breathing before kicking the bucket. Keep in mind H20 test show excellent water conditions through out this entire processes. I tested Oxygen levels with a sailfert kit and test came out as ideal. We then tested for stray electricity, but there was none. Either way we added a second grounding probe into the display tank in addition to the one that was already in the sump. We tried adding fish multiple times over a few months with the same results. Everything that we can test for in this industry we have tried. every time we come back with Excellent water quality results.
There obviously was some form of contamination to the tank that is only affecting fish. Further investigation of the system I then ran a magnet through the A.R.M in the calcium reactor and found metal debris. I since removed the ca reactor completely. Just for the heck of it i ran it through the substrate also and picked up a few tiny grains of metal. I ran an iron test, no iron present. I then added a poly filter also but it never changed color. I decided to tear down the reef and add new substrate and rinse the rock.
After a few more weeks I did manage to stock the tank with some more fish, they held out great for a 3 months and then boom! one after another show signs of rapid breathing and die. within 24hrs. No other signs of parasitic or bacterial infections. I then pull out as many fish as i can and bring them back to the shop and acclimate them to my quarantine system. Within a hour fish are back to normal. At this time I'm absolutely baffled.
Last week I had done another service and added 3 Blue and yellow damsels 1 has died the others are doing fine so far. I should also add that there is a Swiss guard that has been in the tank for months showing no signs of stress and has out lasted many fish.
Any ideas would be great. I'm sure I have left out some information and if it comes up Ill answer those. Thanks.
Blue line 70hd
2 hydor
Ro/Di water
wetdry
Tunze skimmer
Ca Reactor
Chiller
1.5" of sand substrate
300lbs+ of live rock.
H20
Nh4 0
N02 0
N03 10ppm
Ph 8.2
Alk 10
0-.03
Ca 420
I have a client that we maintain their reef tank for the past 6 years very successfully We continually service their tank every 2 weeks with 25% h20 changes and general maintenance. One day they had a die off of all fish. No inverts had died except for cleaner shrimp. Funny thing is that the corals are thriving. We found that the skimmer over collected and expelled the effluent back in to the sump causing a film of protein on the water depriving fish of oxygen. After the fish kill we tore down the reef completely rinsed the rock vacuumed the substrate thoroughly and rebuilt the reef. I have done multiple h20 changes and stabilized the system bringing parameters back in optimal ranges.Yes the kill did add ammonia naturally.
After a few weeks we added a few Chromis that lived for 24hrs then died. The fish showed rapid breathing before kicking the bucket. Keep in mind H20 test show excellent water conditions through out this entire processes. I tested Oxygen levels with a sailfert kit and test came out as ideal. We then tested for stray electricity, but there was none. Either way we added a second grounding probe into the display tank in addition to the one that was already in the sump. We tried adding fish multiple times over a few months with the same results. Everything that we can test for in this industry we have tried. every time we come back with Excellent water quality results.
There obviously was some form of contamination to the tank that is only affecting fish. Further investigation of the system I then ran a magnet through the A.R.M in the calcium reactor and found metal debris. I since removed the ca reactor completely. Just for the heck of it i ran it through the substrate also and picked up a few tiny grains of metal. I ran an iron test, no iron present. I then added a poly filter also but it never changed color. I decided to tear down the reef and add new substrate and rinse the rock.
After a few more weeks I did manage to stock the tank with some more fish, they held out great for a 3 months and then boom! one after another show signs of rapid breathing and die. within 24hrs. No other signs of parasitic or bacterial infections. I then pull out as many fish as i can and bring them back to the shop and acclimate them to my quarantine system. Within a hour fish are back to normal. At this time I'm absolutely baffled.
Last week I had done another service and added 3 Blue and yellow damsels 1 has died the others are doing fine so far. I should also add that there is a Swiss guard that has been in the tank for months showing no signs of stress and has out lasted many fish.
Any ideas would be great. I'm sure I have left out some information and if it comes up Ill answer those. Thanks.
