Austin goes Rimless - Dudester's 203g mixed reef
- Thread starter Dudester
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Dudester
Premium Member
Tanya, I've always liked a SSB, that is, once it settles and forms a slime coat. It was a pain in the beginning as it frequently jammed my 4-way, but now that that's over with, it's very nice.
The Dudester has been suffering through some rough days, my friends. Presently only the yellow tang looks like it's in good shape. The female clownfish stopped eating today, and I've seen very little of the Swale's basslet. I don't think the clownfish will make it. I have a sponge soaking in the tank now, and tomorrow I'm setting up the hospital tank. Hopefully this isn't too little, too late. I'll plan on a hyposalinity treatment and quarantine for 2 months, which should clear the main tank of ich.
Additionally, I saw flatworms (not AEFW) in the tank last night, so I treated with Flatworm eXit. I probably shouldn't have done that, since the fish are stressed enough, but I did it. Ever since, the skimmer has been going nuts, and I have a huge amount of microbubbles in the tank. I think this is because the water leaving the skimmer is so much foamier than before, and the bubbles aren't dissipating before reaching the return pumps.
And to top it all off, there's a new brown hairy algae bloom on the sandbed, and the cerith snails didn't appreciate the FWE treatment at all. Uugh.
The Dudester has been suffering through some rough days, my friends. Presently only the yellow tang looks like it's in good shape. The female clownfish stopped eating today, and I've seen very little of the Swale's basslet. I don't think the clownfish will make it. I have a sponge soaking in the tank now, and tomorrow I'm setting up the hospital tank. Hopefully this isn't too little, too late. I'll plan on a hyposalinity treatment and quarantine for 2 months, which should clear the main tank of ich.
Additionally, I saw flatworms (not AEFW) in the tank last night, so I treated with Flatworm eXit. I probably shouldn't have done that, since the fish are stressed enough, but I did it. Ever since, the skimmer has been going nuts, and I have a huge amount of microbubbles in the tank. I think this is because the water leaving the skimmer is so much foamier than before, and the bubbles aren't dissipating before reaching the return pumps.
And to top it all off, there's a new brown hairy algae bloom on the sandbed, and the cerith snails didn't appreciate the FWE treatment at all. Uugh.
chrismunn
New member
are you planning to quarantine all your fish? i dont know if the skimmer willtake out the FWE that you added, but since your taking out the fish, you may be able to take the skimmer off line briefly while you treat for flat worms? it might not be the best idea since, while the fish are out your going to want your skimmer to pull as much DOM out as possible to help thaT bown hair outbreak, and like i said, who knows if the skimmer is pulling the FWE?
what did you say the ailment is, that your fish are suffering from?
what did you say the ailment is, that your fish are suffering from?
Dudester
Premium Member
Moving the fish to a hospital/quarantine tank on Saturday wasn't an option, as I had a committment that couldn't be cancelled. As for quarantining all incoming fish, well, the smart answer would be "yes," but I'm not that smart. I consider the time spent at the LFS where I get my fish quarantine enough, and it's my fault for taking the PBT home so quickly as opposed to keeping it at the LFS a few weeks first. I'll show more patience in the future. As for what's killing the fish, well, I think it started as ich, but this made them susceptible to other bacterial infections that ultimately killed them.
On Sunday I was able to get the clownfish into a QT. It's a 20 long, and it's running at a temp of about 81 degrees. The initial S.G. was 1.023, and I'll gradually drop that down to 1.019. For not eating in 2 days the percula was still pretty hard to capture. She didn't eat in the QT yesterday, either, but hopefully she'll come around. It would have been nearly impossible to catch the tang or the Swale's basslet, but both are eating and look pretty good. If they get worse I can always try a trap.
The skimmer is still going crazy, but the microbubbles are clearing and the brown algae on the sand is already dieing off. I guess I could do another water change, which would probably give the skimmer a break.
On Sunday I was able to get the clownfish into a QT. It's a 20 long, and it's running at a temp of about 81 degrees. The initial S.G. was 1.023, and I'll gradually drop that down to 1.019. For not eating in 2 days the percula was still pretty hard to capture. She didn't eat in the QT yesterday, either, but hopefully she'll come around. It would have been nearly impossible to catch the tang or the Swale's basslet, but both are eating and look pretty good. If they get worse I can always try a trap.
The skimmer is still going crazy, but the microbubbles are clearing and the brown algae on the sand is already dieing off. I guess I could do another water change, which would probably give the skimmer a break.
melev
Well-known member
What about the other fish you are trying to catch? Btw, one method if you don't have a Tucker Trapper II â"žÂ¢, you can drain most of the water out of the tank so the fish have no where to swim. Scoop them out, refill the tank.
It is a pain, but it'll work.
You want all the fish in quarantine before you drop the salinity, right?
It is a pain, but it'll work.
You want all the fish in quarantine before you drop the salinity, right?
Dudester
Premium Member
Word travels fast, eh Marcus? The conversation is moot at this point. I haven't had the enthusiasm to post in a while due to bad news all around. It's important to report the good and the bad, but this was ridiculous. So I started a QT and began the transfer. The female clownfish died in the Q, and she is the 1st fish I ever owned, having acquired her from John nearly 2 and 1/2 years ago. She was a beautiful fish. After that the yellow tang died, and I haven't seen evidence of the Swale's basslet's death, although I'm sure it happened. So now my tank is fishless. I have absolutely THE WORST luck with fish. Most people struggle with corals and have tanks filled with fish, while I'm just the opposite. So 2 and 1/2 years into the hobby, and I have no living fish. That's pathetic! I also still have flatworms, as they simply laughed at the FWE treatment.
Things in the tank are settling out, although there's still some excess algae. At least the snails will eat well for a while. I'm planning on keeping the tank fallow for about 2 months before trying new fish.
Things in the tank are settling out, although there's still some excess algae. At least the snails will eat well for a while. I'm planning on keeping the tank fallow for about 2 months before trying new fish.
ycnibrc
STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF
fish in a reef tank is a nightmare since if they got sick there is nothing you can do to help since you don't want to tear down your tank to catch them. May be your tank is still new and all the stress from transfer catching up to your fish and cause them to get sick. I like your idea of waiting for a couple more month before you add some fish in your tank again.
If you add fish again try red sea fish since they are more hardy than others plus they like the high salinity 1.025. Most other fish are more comfortable at 1.020-1.022
If you add fish again try red sea fish since they are more hardy than others plus they like the high salinity 1.025. Most other fish are more comfortable at 1.020-1.022
Dudester
Premium Member
Thanks for everyone's support and good advice. Hey, life goes on, right? I've been through the five stages of grief and I'm ready to move on. But I just can't help reflecting on the carnage I've caused to all those poor fish who are unlucky enough to come home with me. Hopefully my fortune will take a turn for the better.
There's still plenty of other things to focus on. I need more corals, and I still haven't had a chance to change the ballast on my Powermodule. Hopefully I'll get that done this week so I can change my lamp configuration. Maybe I'll try out a clam and see how that goes. I'd really like to get a wrasse or two to control the flatworms, but for obvious reasons, I'm going to hold off on that for the time being.
There's still plenty of other things to focus on. I need more corals, and I still haven't had a chance to change the ballast on my Powermodule. Hopefully I'll get that done this week so I can change my lamp configuration. Maybe I'll try out a clam and see how that goes. I'd really like to get a wrasse or two to control the flatworms, but for obvious reasons, I'm going to hold off on that for the time being.
cbui2
Premium Member
sorry about the loss, but i had my fair share too as i completely removed all rocks, fishes and the entire system water just to saved the fishes then ended losing most of the fishes and all of my corals in the process due to ich outbreak. so when i restarted i added couple peaceful fish in first then the aggressive ones will be the last going into display. making sure they get along together by placing them in qt for over few months. its hard not getting to enjoy the fish in display, but i have fun watching them in qt.
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