2nd tank start up and problems

[Str8linespeed]

I've got a 2nd tank online and its been some time since I've had to run through all of the problems. The tank is cycled.

Sal 1.026
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
Phosphate .024
KH 9.6
Mag 1450
Cal 450

Yesterday I added Pods and Chaeto to the sump, and 2 Chromis in the DT.

The water has a bit of a cloudiness to it and this morning both Chromis were dead. I noticed yesterday that they seemed to be breathing really fast, but I figured that was just them getting acclimated to the new tank, they both started to swim around and explore the tank by the time the lights went out.

Any ideas whats going on? Why the water cloudiness, and 2 dead fish?

 

[ROB2005]

How did you acclimate your fish? Drip method? Or by adding small amounts of DT water every to the bag over a period of time?

 

[Str8linespeed]

How did you acclimate your fish? Drip method? Or by adding small amounts of DT water every to the bag over a period of time?

I acclimate but adding tank water to the bag over time. Usually about a half hour. Ive never lost a fish that way.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Now that the lights are on. I have what appears to look like a cloud rolling around my DT. Its definitely noticeable. I do however see the pods in the sump and DT and they dont appear to be affected at all by this. Could the cloud be the start of an algae bloom?

 

[mcgyvr]

Its very normal to have cloudy water with a new tank..
Its unlikely to be the reason for the fish deaths..

 

[Str8linespeed]

Its very normal to have cloudy water with a new tank..
Its unlikely to be the reason for the fish deaths..

Ok, thank you. I'll wait it out.

 

[Tastee]

I lost the third fish I added directly to my DT from the LFS. The first two were Clowns that were kept with Anemones and were in 1.024 water at the LFS. My tank was also at 1.024 salinity. They went in fine using drip acclimation over about 60 mins. I later added a Yellow Tang coming from 1.020 salinity to my tank, and drip acclimated over 2 hours to gradually introduce him to the higher salinity. He seemed to go in ok. 3 days later he was dead. My guess is osmotic shock due to the salinity change.

I now introduce all fish from the LFS into my QT at 1.020, let them settle down, gradually raise salinity over several days to 1.024, let them settle more, and if they appear healthy move them to the DT. I have not had an issue since starting this process.

 

[Uncle99]

Raising salinity should not exceed .002 per day, .001 better.
As salinity rises oxygen in the column decreases
This is why it must be increased slowly
A fish that is put in higher salinity water may become lathargic or appear to pant like a dog does. The breathing may look rapid, this will continue until the fish acclimitizes to the level.

 

[Trigger Tough]

Raising salinity should not exceed .002 per day, .001 better.
As salinity rises oxygen in the column decreases
This is why it must be increased slowly
A fish that is put in higher salinity water may become lathargic or appear to pant like a dog does. The breathing may look rapid, this will continue until the fish acclimitizes to the level.

Also if the white cloud is a bacterial bloom that will reduce the O2 in the water as well. Are you running any sort of skimmer or something to add O2 to the water?

 

[Str8linespeed]

Also if the white cloud is a bacterial bloom that will reduce the O2 in the water as well. Are you running any sort of skimmer or something to add O2 to the water?

I am running a skimmer @ 100%, still breaking it in. I also have surface agitation going with the return nozzle.

The cloud has not dissipated at all and still appears to be about the same as two days ago.