Help with this problem

[GPhiAce]

So I posted this thread in the clam forum and haven't heard anything from anyone, so I wonder if anyone here have any insight/input. I have begun to do 30% water changes bidaily (yesterday was the first and tomorrow will be the next).

Also, I can't keep PPEs at all, and my cocos pink palys are shriveled and look mushroom topped or capped. I don't think they have anything to do with my clam, but I would still like to know. All others are fine and the palys I got from Randy about a month ago have all given me a poylp, except for the the LoTR and dragon eyes that I lost.

Here is the the thread link here

Thanks for any advice

 

[goreefer]

It sounds like your ALK is way too low.
Low ALK has caused tank crashes for me before.
Your ALK needs to be around 9. Baking soda is the cheapest supplement to raise it.

 

[zt444a]

Follow the recipe for Randy's two part in the chemistry forum. Also test your water. If you don't have the kits, take a sample to the store and have them test Ca, Alk, ammonia, and Mg.

If your magnesium is low it will cause swings in your Ca (would that cause a corresponding fluctuation in Alk?). But any sudden swings in water quality will cause those issues.

Good luck...

 

[fishdoc11]

Your alk is low and your phosphate is high.
A good target for alk is 8 - 9 dKH and phosphate needs to be around 0.03 or less.
Remind me and we can talk about how to achieve that tommorrow in class.
Chris

 

[fishdoc11]

Hope you are having fun studying
My favorite quote of the night:

"If there is residual brochiolitis (and bronchitis) then the atelectasis will persist (again particularly significant in ruminants with poor collateral ventilation) and the tendancy to develop chronic suppurative bronchiectasis/bronchopneumonia with abcesses, brochiectasis,parenchymal atelectasis and fibrosis and interlobular, subpleura and peribronchial fascial fibrino-edematous thickening increased." :lol:

Chris

 

[cee]

Alk is low, but not terribly so (NSW runs around 7). Phosphates wouldn't cause that, IMO. Something's attacking your clam is my guess, be it pyramid snail, pathogens, or ???. A freshwater dip is what I would do if it were my clam assuming it can safely be removed without disrupting its foot. However, it doesn't always help IME with clams but I've recovered clams I thought were history with dips.

The palys, etc., might be more susceptable to alkalinity swings. You should easily be able to achieve 8-9 dKH and 420ish Ca with a 1500 ppm Mg level. Then again, something may be attacking them as well if they aren't expanding. Night time inspections are certainly in order and a FW dip of the palys might reveal predators as well.

 

[digidana]

a little light reading there, chris??

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13465737#post13465737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by digidana
a little light reading there, chris??

Yeah we have a midterm in respiratory pathology Friday....yay

 

[GPhiAce]

I know the cause of the high Phosphates and am working on it. randy warned me long ago, and I thought the leaching of phosphates where done and stopped doing the 3x weekly water changes and have not done one in 1.5 weeks. Not sure why the Alk is low. I am using the 3 part additives from DT (door prizes at the Chatt swap). The 3 part is Ca, Alk, and Mg. The Alk level had always tested in the 9-10 range with me just adding 2 capfuls every other day and adding it to my top off. I was suprised when I saw that low level it is now. I am slowly raising it now. All the tests were ran by the CR and re tested by the Aquarium. Not that I don't trust the CR, but just wanted to double check. The fresh water dips are coming up this weekend. It looks like the clam that is remaining is opening well, but is still going to be dipped. The paly's are going to be dipped as well.

Should I be running Carbon or anything??? I don't think that it would make a difference, but am not sure. Thanks guys.

 

[GPhiAce]

Oh, Chris, don't forget to put a little time in radiology too. Unfortunately, we can't just wave at the screen like they teach us to do with radiographs in all our other classes. Good luck