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[rade8em]

This weekend I lost 3 fish... I dont know whats going on
yesterday I did a water change
on Saturday the water parameters were
Phosphate 0.5
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0
Ph 8.0
Alk normal
temp 76
Salinity 1.030

I measured the water today
Phosphate 0.5
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0
Ph 8.0
Alk normal
temp 74
Salinity 1.028
I have had some problems with brown algae on the glass but I have been using a scraper to get it off. I just recently bought a frag rock and I am hoping it doesnt bite the dust as well.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/189396IMAGE_045__2_.jpg

 

[Lawnmower Blenn]

sorry to read that your fish died hope u can find out what did it

 

[rade8em]

Does anyone have any idea why my fish are biting the dust?
I only have a clown fish left
Button polyps dont put off toxins do they?

 

[Sk8r]

They can, but that's not the problem I see. Do you have an autotopoff system? you need one. Try autotopoff.com. That will stabilize your salinity. Your temperature should run about 80 degrees, constant or near so.
Phosphate at all is not good, but not fatal. Your brown algae is normal, not desirable, but normal.
Variations in your salinity and perhaps other parameters are the most likely culprit. Do not replace fish until you can get this stabilized.
We can get you through this.

 

[rade8em]

Thank you I will look up that website immediately.

 

[rade8em]

this top off system has to be attached to water. My tank is only 29 gallons and I have a filtration system and a skimmer but no outside water. I have been buying water to top off and do my water changes.

 

[Sk8r]

Get an old salt bucket: 5 or so gallons, with a lid. Put your ro/di in that, lid it, with a little sponge for a gasket that will let power cord and small hose exit and put a little maxijet 1200 in it with that small hose running from your stand (or adjacent cabinet) to your tank, well secured: you don't want 5 gal of water in the floor! The dual float switch is admittedly clunky-looking, but it is quite snailproof and has never failed me if properly set. It adds your topoff in teaspoons many times a day and keeps your salinity in good balance. The other benefit: you can go away for a weekend without worrying about your salinity. It will be perfect when you get back.

Stabilizing that temperature: your lights should be on a timer. That will help. There are other things you can do.

 

[rade8em]

can topping off the water be done manually by me any sort of way?

 

[crvz]

Yep, daily additions of water poured into the tank work fine for the most part, but you may need to be doing it more than just once a day to keep the salinity in check.