Help!!!! Fish keep dying

[Triton_Z]

In your specific case, since the "possession or cause of death and decay" in your DT is not clearly known, I would not use water from your DT. If you were starting a QT from a good, clean DT or maintaining a QT, using "dirty" water from my DT from water changes is recommended (or that's how I maintain my QT).

A cycle would be necessary in this case. Light, phantom feeding the tank should be adequate to run the cycle or whatever method you like to use.

Good to hear you are setting up a small QT for the future health of your fish.

 

[Triton_Z]

BTW, there are good series of sticky posts over in the Fish Disease and Treatment forum. Here's a basic one about QT. Worth a read, if not already done so.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1846124

 

[j3st3r]

good point about not using the "possessed" tank water, all livestock and corals were drip acclimated for at least 1 1/2 hours. the only fish that remotely showed any signs of distress was the larger lionfish, all others have appeared healthy when the lights shut off but were dead the following morning. and all were eating well the same day (night) they died. at least the puffer and clown were on individual basis, the 2 small tangs and small lionfish died the same night.. the larger lionfish ended up dying at the LFS's hospital tank. it's really puzzling because the anemone, frogspawn, and polyps are thriving. with the exception of the 2 small tangs and small lionfish the others were the sole fish when they died.

 

[SushiGirl]

Dying overnight sounds like low oxygenation.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Dying overnight sounds like low oxygenation.

But wouldn't that effect the corals and 'nem too?

I don't agree with her, but that doesn't mean she's wrong! Plus this is an easy fix. Make sure you have a powerhead pointed upwards so that the surface of the water is rippling. This should improve the O2 concentration (to a point).

How are you acclimating the fish? This may be the cause of your problem!

 

[j3st3r]

all livestock is drip acclimated for a minimum of 1 1/2 hours, most of the time it's closer to 2 hours

 

[SushiGirl]

It's going to affect the fish first.

Here's some info on oxygenation.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/aquariummaintenancecare/a/Importance-Of-Dissolved-Oxygen-Levels-In-Your-Marine-Aquarium.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Four-Tips-to-Increase-PH-Levels-in-a-Reef-Aquarium-Quickly-and-Easily&id=1689946

 

[Monkeyfish]

Thanks Sushi.

j3st3r - do what was previously discussed and try the powerhead thing too. You can buy a test kit that will test the oxygen saturation of the water before and after. I think Salifert or Seachem make one.

 

[j3st3r]

a thank you to everyone that has given me ideas as to what may be causing the issue, I already have a powerhead in the tank and will try pointing it more towards the surface, maybe pick up another one for good measure, again thank you and if you can think of anything else I'm all ears. would having the glass lids on affect the oxygen levels (dont really see how it can't)

 

[sslak]

Dying overnight sounds like low oxygenation.

Sounds like it. The largest fish would be hit first, and this explains what would cause all 3 to go at the same time. Even a disease usually doesn't mass kill 3 fish in one night.

Corals and anemone don't breath air from the water the same way a fish does. Larger animals require more oxygen.

Without a sump to mix the water, how's your surface agitation? Try adding an airstone?

Sadly none of the fish you had in your tank are appropriate for a 55g. They all get far too large. An adult lion can be a foot long, tangs get to be 7-12" long as well. Please stop killing fish and do some research before you make your next purchase.

 

[DoubleM 10]

how old is the tank? do you have any sponges in the tank? i had a similar problem when i first started my tanks tat the sponges caught all the just and the nitrates went stupid high. do you have a skimmer on the tank? that would greatly add to oxygenation of the tank. how big is the tank?

give us all the specs on the tank. that would help us figure out whats going on

 

[SushiGirl]

Glass lids will definitely affect oxygen exchange!