Basic system background. 30 gallon display, 20 gal sump and 10 gal fuge established on 9/10/14 so still a fairly new system. Approx 20lbs LR in the display and another 20 or so lbs in the sump and fuge. Shallow sand bed of caribsea seafloor special grade sand approx 1 to 2 inches deep. ( SSB in the fuge as well). Total system volume based on a guess would be 36 gal. All LR has been bleached, acid bath washed and then pre cycled for several weeks before adding to the system back in sept.
System parameters are and have been
Salinity 1.025 Temp very stable between 75F and 76F, PH is 8.0
Alk 8dkh
Calc 400
Mag 1365
I have not registered any ammonia or nitrite since adding fish and the nitrates have currently risen to somewhere between 5 and 10 ppm from my testing(hard to tell between the color chart)
Tank inhabitants,
A modest clean-up crew of cerith and nassirus snails. several scarlet and blue leg hermit crabs. One each of Peppermint and Skunk cleaner shrimp.
First fish was added on 10/21/14. Two Yasha gobies I had shipped here, one was DOA and the second passed within a few days. Not happy about it but feel it may have been just too much shipping stress and un-related to my current problem.
On 10/28 I added two Tangaroa gobies. on 11/1 two Blue Gudgeon Dartfish and a single Royal Gramma. On 11/4 a single firefish
There are 9 pieces of LPS frags starting since 10/28
All fish, corals and inverts have been active, feeding, appearing happy and healthy.
Dilema,
Tues(11/18) at feeding time I noticed the Royal Gramma flash against the sandbed. It was the only time I have noticed this and considered using some Prazipro just in case.
Wed morning I find one of the Tangaroa Gobies and the Royal Gramma dead on the bottom of the tank. No signs of predation from the CUC, upon closer inspection I see nothing outwardly visable on either fish. My testing results show nothing out of the ordinary. Several hours later the other Tangaroa is in distress on the sand bed and dies soon after as well. Based on the Royal Gramma flashing the day before I treat the system Prazipro, I miscalculated the dose and nearly tripled it. I restarted the skimmer to help alleviate the overdose and add extra oxygen to the system.
Thursday AM I find the Firefish dead.
Friday, One of the two Blue Gudgeons is in distress. I take a water sample to the LFS to confirm my testing results. His results verify mine with one exception, he shows a "slight trace" of ammonia and is certain nothing to be concerned about. He also feels low temps may be the root of the problem and suggest I bump the temp up and run some carbon.
Yesterday, One of the Gudgeons is dead. I do a 5 gallon WC, Set up a reactor with carbon.
This morning I find the remaining Gudgeon stuck against the overflow weir. Still alive but obviously not normal. I also set my temp controller to 77.
During all this I have not lost a single invert, in fact my corals are all doing exceptionally well. The only clues or considerations I have would be the use of a large amount of common wood glue( another project requiring the use of thinned glue as a sealer) The glue is TitebondII, a type of alaphatic resin, it has a nasty flavour(don't ask), very little if any aroma and has yet to kill me. Secondly I had the fireplace burning pretty hot most of the evening just prior to the event. I live in a small home and suspected it may have driven the PH down??? The corals didnt show any adverse effects and my PH test the next morning was consistant with my previous tests.
So, I pretty much rule out the fireplace/PH issue. That leaves either the glue fumes or my Prazi overdose, a few of the corals reacted but recovered quickly and as of now are still fine. I should also note, the tank at the LFS that these fish came from are showing no sign of any issues.
I am at a loss as how to proceed or even dare trying to add any fish at this point. Where or what did I miss or do wrong?
System parameters are and have been
Salinity 1.025 Temp very stable between 75F and 76F, PH is 8.0
Alk 8dkh
Calc 400
Mag 1365
I have not registered any ammonia or nitrite since adding fish and the nitrates have currently risen to somewhere between 5 and 10 ppm from my testing(hard to tell between the color chart)
Tank inhabitants,
A modest clean-up crew of cerith and nassirus snails. several scarlet and blue leg hermit crabs. One each of Peppermint and Skunk cleaner shrimp.
First fish was added on 10/21/14. Two Yasha gobies I had shipped here, one was DOA and the second passed within a few days. Not happy about it but feel it may have been just too much shipping stress and un-related to my current problem.
On 10/28 I added two Tangaroa gobies. on 11/1 two Blue Gudgeon Dartfish and a single Royal Gramma. On 11/4 a single firefish
There are 9 pieces of LPS frags starting since 10/28
All fish, corals and inverts have been active, feeding, appearing happy and healthy.
Dilema,
Tues(11/18) at feeding time I noticed the Royal Gramma flash against the sandbed. It was the only time I have noticed this and considered using some Prazipro just in case.
Wed morning I find one of the Tangaroa Gobies and the Royal Gramma dead on the bottom of the tank. No signs of predation from the CUC, upon closer inspection I see nothing outwardly visable on either fish. My testing results show nothing out of the ordinary. Several hours later the other Tangaroa is in distress on the sand bed and dies soon after as well. Based on the Royal Gramma flashing the day before I treat the system Prazipro, I miscalculated the dose and nearly tripled it. I restarted the skimmer to help alleviate the overdose and add extra oxygen to the system.
Thursday AM I find the Firefish dead.
Friday, One of the two Blue Gudgeons is in distress. I take a water sample to the LFS to confirm my testing results. His results verify mine with one exception, he shows a "slight trace" of ammonia and is certain nothing to be concerned about. He also feels low temps may be the root of the problem and suggest I bump the temp up and run some carbon.
Yesterday, One of the Gudgeons is dead. I do a 5 gallon WC, Set up a reactor with carbon.
This morning I find the remaining Gudgeon stuck against the overflow weir. Still alive but obviously not normal. I also set my temp controller to 77.
During all this I have not lost a single invert, in fact my corals are all doing exceptionally well. The only clues or considerations I have would be the use of a large amount of common wood glue( another project requiring the use of thinned glue as a sealer) The glue is TitebondII, a type of alaphatic resin, it has a nasty flavour(don't ask), very little if any aroma and has yet to kill me. Secondly I had the fireplace burning pretty hot most of the evening just prior to the event. I live in a small home and suspected it may have driven the PH down??? The corals didnt show any adverse effects and my PH test the next morning was consistant with my previous tests.
So, I pretty much rule out the fireplace/PH issue. That leaves either the glue fumes or my Prazi overdose, a few of the corals reacted but recovered quickly and as of now are still fine. I should also note, the tank at the LFS that these fish came from are showing no sign of any issues.
I am at a loss as how to proceed or even dare trying to add any fish at this point. Where or what did I miss or do wrong?
