Coldtank and sad rasta

[Jekerry]

Turns out our heater wasn't working. It has been warm enough the tank was fine until yesterday. I noticed all the fish seemed to be moving slower and our Rasta leather wasn't opening. Then checked parameters and temperature. The parameters are ok. Nitrates are at 5 ppm which is too high, but everyone was happy when it was warm. We planned to do a water change this week, but now I am worried about adding more stress.

We replaced the heater and very slowly brought the temperature back up to 76 from 70. Everyone looked really happy and even the Rasta perked up. Then my husband turned on a light in the room and Rasta quickly deflated until we fear he might be dead. He also is now too close to the frong spawn since he is laying down.

So, do we move the frog spawn and hope Rasta recovers? Do we wait to do the water change since ammonia and nitrites are 0? Any thing we can do to save the Rasta leather?

Jane

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

It doesn't look dead, just sad. Give it some time to perk back up. if it starts to slough off or melt, take it out.

 

[sde1500]

Certainly not dead, just unhappy as you say. Also, 5 ppm is just fine for nitrates.

I highly suggest a controller for a heater. You got lucky like I did with your heater failing off. If it fails on, you cook the tank. A controller works by just turning the power off to a heater when the temp is reached. So even if your heaters internal controls fail on, the controller can keep it working as it should.

 

[Jekerry]

Thanks! Of course it is my husband’s favorite and he is very worried. Poor little Marley, he just looks so sad. Do you think the frog spawn is too close and stinging him?

 

[Jekerry]

Yes, about the heater! My first salt tank some 20 years ago did that! I woke to cooked fish. It was so sad!

 

[sde1500]

I would say they seem a little close. Both of those corals get pretty big, give them plenty of space. And a heads up on the leather. It will look like that occasionally, when it starts to shed.