Hyposalinity Log On My Display - Around 650 Gallons System Volume

[nuxx]

Hey guys,

Decided I'd keep a log of how hyposalinity goes on my display tank.

Tank is roughly 470 gallons with around 200 gallons in sump volume.

There is around 450-500 lbs of Marco rock and 240 lbs of Caribsea seaflor special grade reef sand.

Fish list is as follows:
Black Tang, Purple Tang, Yellow Tang, Chevron Tang, Yellow Bellied Blue Tang, Tomini Tang, 3 Pajama Cardinals, Black Ice Clown and Cleaner Wrasse.

Even though I QT'ed everything, a few ich spots showed up on my YB Blue Tang. They lasted for about a week and I haven't seen them in over a month.

The YB Blue Tang, Yellow Tang and Black Ice Clown came from a tank I had for years and were the only fish. The tank went through a crash as I was starting in the hobby about 4 years ago and had ich present. Some water / rock must have had ich in it, even though I hadn't ever seen a spot on those three fish for years. Guessing low stress. Going in with more tangs in a new tank must have made it show it's ugly face due to higher stress.

The new display has no coral and has been up for just over 6 months, so I thought hyposalinity would be a good insurance policy. Keeping my salinity stable is easy with the system's water volume and ATO.

I also added a Cleaner Wrasse Diver's Den has had for over two months right to the tank. I already had ich, so I wasn't too worried. It's been in there for a few weeks and is doing great. Thought that since I was doing hypo, I could run two doses of PraziPro on the display as well, as I'm lowering the salinity with lots of changes. Just taking a 3 day break from changes as the Prazi is active.

Noticed one aiptasia on my rock as well recently. No idea where it came from since my rock was dry and then acid bathed. Didn't add anything except fish, snails, crabs and Chaeto... so must have snuck in on an invert or Chaeto?!?!? So it will be interesting to see how the aiptasia holds up. If it lives, my wife wants a CBB next, so maybe it'll eat it

So anyway, I'll try to keep this thread updated with my results if anyone is interested.

BTW: Would it be better to shoot for just under 1.009? Like 1.0085 to compensate for slight upwards fluctuations? I also known some types of ich can get through hypo, but I thought it was worth a shot.

 

[nuxx]

Day 1: 8-19-2014

I started the first PraziPro dose 3 days prior. So now the prazi wasn't active anymore, so I decided to start lowering the salinity.

Changed out my DI resin and filled up my 50 gallon RODI holding tank with fresh water at 0 TDS.

Calibrated my new refractometer and compared to my old hydrometer. Both read the same.

Put in my ammonia warning badge, which read 0.

Measured the salinity of the tank and removed around 45 gallons from the sump and replaced with 45 gallons of RODI.

Took out around 10 snails and crabs, moved over to my frag tank. Also moved my Chaeto to my frag tank.

Initial Salinity Reading:
1.026

First change Salinity Reading:
1.0225

 

[o2manyfish]

Some times tangs just get spots. My experience is that Powder Blues and Achilles refuse to be spot free. But it's not detrimental. If you keep the fish well fed and healthy they just keep cruising along.

I had a powder blue that for years was constantly covered in spots. 6+ years. Angels and lots of tangs in the tank without any signs of sickness, but the powder blue usually had something on it. Some days he would be clear, but most days he was covered.

Over the years all kinds of people stopped by with their 2 cents of recommendations, and lots of things were tried but the fish was never clean. When I sold the tank that guy went with it.

In my current reef tank I have an Achilles and every day its a mystery whether or not the fish will have white spots on it. Somedays she is picture perfect and some days not. There are 13 other tangs in the tank without a spot on them.

If your fish population looks healthy, and the hippo tang with the spots looks healthy and is eating well, then perhaps drastic measures aren't needed. Clearly there was an infection of some sort on the hippo, so the rest of the fish had the potential to get sick, they are stuck in an enclosed environment, and the rest of the fish have the antibodies to not be susceptible to whatever the hippo had.

My recommendation would be to keep feeding the tank, and see if your spots are really going to be an issue.

Dave B

 

[nuxx]

Some times tangs just get spots. My experience is that Powder Blues and Achilles refuse to be spot free. But it's not detrimental. If you keep the fish well fed and healthy they just keep cruising along...

Thanks David,

I'm not betting the farm on this treatment. I just thought that since there are only really fish in the tank at this point, I'd spend a little time and lower the salinity for a few weeks.

If it works great, if not, oh well I did a bit water change

I also plan on adding an Achilles and maybe an Achilles Hybrid down the line, and I sort of have the feeling that they might still develop ich, even with tank transfer and trying to remove it from my display right now.

Same goes for the lone aiptasia... I know you can't keep everything out of the tank... but I'll give it a shot

 

[nuxx]

Did another 45 gallon change last night after picking out about 20 snails and crabs.

Latest Salinity Reading:
1.0225

Second change Salinity Reading:
1.0205

I'm doing my second and final dose of PraziPro today, so I'll resume lowering the salinity Sunday.

I've decided to go pick up another 50 gallon drum.

My thinking process...

Fill up 2 50 gallon drums with RODI, then let my 50 gallon RODI container fill.

Use the 3rd (new) 50 gallon drum to remove 150 gallons from the sump.

Then empty the 2 50 gallon drums of RODI into the sump, then dump the 50 gallons from the RODI container into the sump as well.

Doing a 150 gallon change effectively.

I'll do this on Sunday.

I think 45-50 gallon changes will take way too long.

Might do:
150 Gallon Change
100 Gallon Change

Then see where I am, and if I'm close just do 50 gallon changes for accuracy, if still far off then do 100 gallon changes.

 

[nuxx]

Hey guys, here's another update

Waited until Sunday to do another water change... gave the Prazi 72 hours to run it's course.

Then did around 150 gallon water change...

Latest Salinity Reading:
1.0205

Third change Salinity Reading:
1.016

I think I need to do two more 150 gallon changes, then maybe a few more smaller changes to dial it down to 1.0085 or so.

Everything seems happy in the tank so far as well.

My PH started to trend down to around 7.90 from normal of 8.15, so I decided to try some baked baking soda.

I added about a cups worth (1.25 cups mixed with 1/2 gallon of RODI).

In about 5 minutes the PH spiked to 9.10 and freaked me out, it leveled out around 8.15 though after an hour or so. Think since I added it to the sump near the sensors, the PH was a bit off... freaked me out though...

I should have 150 gallons of RODI ready tomorrow, and I'll do the next change tomorrow night...

 

[nuxx]

Another day, another 150 gallon water change...

Latest Salinity Reading:
1.016

Fourth change Salinity Reading:
1.012

So with 150 gallon changed I'm seeing this change in salinity:
.0045 - On First large change
.0040 - On Second large change

Since I'm at 1.012 and want to be just under 1.009, I'm hoping that with another 150 gallon change I'll net a .0035 change putting me at 1.0085.

All the fish seem fine, and the big aiptasia seems to be about the size of a 1/4 finger nail now.

We'll see how it takes 6 weeks just under 1.009

 

[nuxx]

Hey guys, just got done doing another 150 gallon change...

Latest Salinity Reading:
1.012

Fifth change Salinity Reading:
1.009

Although I hit 1.009, I'd really like to be a hair below.

I'm finishing up a small 20 gallon change right now... hopefully gets me noticeably under 1.009.

My refractometer reads right at 1.009, my hydrometer reads 1.0875 or so.

I'll update later when I get the readings...

So it looks like Thursday, October 9, 2014 is the day I start bringing my salinity back up!

What would be the best way to raise it???

Mix 1-5 gallon mixes of high salinity mixes and add it in daily after taking the same out?

How much would a bag of salt raise my salinity? Talking the 50 gallon bags you get in boxes.

 

[nuxx]

Finally hit 1.0085 - 1.00875!!!

Only took 570 gallons of RODI

Now it's just a waiting game...

 

[nuxx]

Hey guys quick question...

Everyone seems fine in the tank, expect the Chevron.

His color is a little fade and he's not as active as normal.

Do you think this is normal for the first few days in hypo?

SG was taken down from 1.026 to 1.00875 in just over a week.

0 Ammonia
0 Nitrates
PH 8.12
dKH 6-7 (Hard to tell, still bluish yellow at 6, yellow at 7)
Salinity 1.00875

Thanks

 

[tmantaylor18]

Mine has been in hypo with my flame angel and flame hawk for about a week. He was the only one that seemed sluggish and timid for the first 3-4 days. He still kind of freaks out when i get near the tank but is eating just fine.

 

[nuxx]

Mine has been in hypo with my flame angel and flame hawk for about a week. He was the only one that seemed sluggish and timid for the first 3-4 days. He still kind of freaks out when i get near the tank but is eating just fine.

Your Chevron?

Did he lose any color? Mine is losing it in his face

 

[tmantaylor18]

Your Chevron?

Did he lose any color? Mine is losing it in his face

Yeah, the chevron.

He was pretty beat up with ich and didn't think to turn on my lights the first few days to check. I think his color has been fine though.

 

[nuxx]

Yeah, the chevron.

He was pretty beat up with ich and didn't think to turn on my lights the first few days to check. I think his color has been fine though.

Would you think it might just be stress of the water changes?

Also, had a huge spike in PH 9.2+ when I put in too much baked baking soda a few days ago :x

PH shock maybe?

Just keep parameters stable? I really like the Chevron... probably my favorite...

 

[Fade2White12]

Does your Chevron have any other symptoms besides a change in color? When did you first notice this?

I'm unsure why he would have any distress. pH and ammonia look to be fine (although that spike in pH could be to blame) and you adequately spaced out your drops in salinity, all of which would be the top concerns with this treatment.

How long since you last dosed prazipro? I've heard people using it in conjunction with hypo have had a few adverse side effects, but it isn't something typical.

 

[nuxx]

Does your Chevron have any other symptoms besides a change in color? When did you first notice this?

I'm unsure why he would have any distress. pH and ammonia look to be fine (although that spike in pH could be to blame) and you adequately spaced out your drops in salinity, all of which would be the top concerns with this treatment.

How long since you last dosed prazipro? I've heard people using it in conjunction with hypo have had a few adverse side effects, but it isn't something typical.

He's just a bit shy and lazy. He's normally all over the place picking at stuff. Also didn't eat very much today, had a few bites then hid in a cave.

Did last dose of Prazi on the 21st, when the salinity was 1.0205. Waiting 3 days and then did the next water change.

Went from 1.0205 to 1.016 on the 24th.

 

[nuxx]

Chevron has his color back and is acting normal today

 

[nuxx]

Hey guys,

Noticed 2 small white spots on the head of my Black Tang.

Been at 1.0085 or so for just under two weeks.

Is it possible that these spots were in the fish previous to hitting hypo?

Based on the life cycle of ich, is this possible?

I know I need to restart the clock after the spots are gone, just curious if this is normal.

Thanks

 

[nuxx]

Just started raising the salinity two days ago.

Only got it to go up to 1.011 with a 50 gallon change of overly salty water.

Will probably do 3 more changes like that, then taking a bit of water out of the tank and mixing it with salt and putting it back in. Going to do three more changes to just lower the nitrates a bit.

Kind of feel just like going down, it'll get hard to raise the salinity with regular changes if the salinity is higher in the display.

Oh and after 6+ weeks of not seeing any snails or sponges, I spotted a snail on the glass this morning. It's pretty crazy that somehow it found a way to live through hypo. Used a hydrometer and refractometer to validate 1.008 - 1.009 salinity the whole time. If anything I put too much top off in twice, so salinity might have dropped a few times. Either way it would have taken TONS of evaporation to bump me out of hypo.

Also the spots on the black tang were either from the rocks or from another tang. They looked more like wounds than any type of ich I've seen

Haven't seen any "ichy" spots in months and nothing during hypo. Hope it's all OK now...

 

[nuxx]

Did two more changes of 50 gallons with stronger than normal saltwater and I'm up to about 1.016.

Will probably do one more, then start mixing salt with tank water and putting it back in.

Nitrates are back down to a low level after not changing the water during hypo...