Need help! Little experience in professional setting.

[heathlindner25]

I was unable to get a pic of the systems, unfortunately. However, when I came in yesterday we had another 7 or 8 fish dead from different systems, and not all of them we're from the last shipment that we got last Thursday. Also, a Volitan lionfish that we took in from a customer last week ( who had been perfectly healthy and eating, just wasn't getting along with the customer's tank mates ) now his eyes completely clouded over. Could this be from stress of being moved, or being kept in a small partitioned space, or is it indicative of a larger problem I can't figure out? PH in system 1 ( where the lion fish is, and the majority of the deaths seem to occur ) is a little high 8.3-4, but everything else is within acceptable range.

Any ideas?

When you say " cloudy eyes" I naturally assume flukes.
if it is, and you give them a proper freshwater dip, preferably in a colored Tupperware container, you will see them pouring out of their skin.

 

[Sk8r]

A refractometer is an instrument that collects water on a plate, along with light---stand under one---and gives you an instant and precise numerical salinity result, with an eyepiece you can focus. They're about 25.00 to 70.00. http://www.amazon.com/Salinity-Refr...&qid=1446069893&sr=1-1&keywords=refractometer And I've noticed no difference in quality.

 

[Molly1414]

What about temperature in the tanks? Since a lot of the fish seem to die over night is there anything in the system plugged into outlets that may be getting turned off when the store is closed. Some outlets may be connected with wall switches and light switches. Could heaters or pumps be inadvertently getting turned off?

 

[Mark9]

PH is virtually useless in marine tanks

I disagree, I monitor it with my controller and will alert me if there is a dosing issue, which automatically shuts down the dosers. Totally not useless.

Alkalinity should be 7.9-8.3,

I disagree, I shoot for 8.4, which is a good mid rage. Even up to 9 is no issue.

and the nitrate is through the roof.

Wrong, the OP said it was 5-10, totally acceptable. Not sure if you read all the OP posted.

 

[e048]

I think y'all should tear down all the tanks and start over if it's giving you so much trouble

 

[sde1500]

I think y'all should tear down all the tanks and start over if it's giving you so much trouble

This might be the best suggestion. Tear down and sanitize the tanks. Kill any lingering disease or parasite that could be causing the issues. Then take into account what people are suggesting above about acclimation.

 

[Shawn O]

I think y'all should tear down all the tanks and start over if it's giving you so much trouble

+1

At this point, money would be better spent on preventing any more fish loss. Have him spend the amount of money he loses in fish costs for the month on cleaning the systems and purchasing some basic testing equipment and a hospital tank or two. From the sound of it, his system may be deficient in many aspects. Once the problems are corrected he should actually be able to make money on the fish, rather than losing money.

 

[NNYandSquee]

Unfortunately I doubt he'd even consider it. After talking with him today, he's convinced it's not disease, and was just a bad/old test kit with inaccurate PH results. We did open up a new kit, and the PH results read slightly lower ( all systems are in the 7.8-8.0 range, whereas before they were reading 8.0-8.4 ) He did a water change last night, put in a PH buffer, and is having new fish shipped in tomorrow. I'm not hopeful. I did suggest that we set up a quarantine tank in the back for sick/unsightly fish, and he was open to that at least.
Unfortunately when I got in this morning, the Lionfish and a large Tang were in incredibly poor shape, and died by the end of the day. I know the tang was being treated for minor ick, but had a huge red/raw patch by his tail on him today. I'd attach pics, but I have no idea how.

 

[NNYandSquee]

http://postimg.org/image/6xjow0fex/

 

[heathlindner25]

Normal procedure to " pull the dead" every morning at a lfs....

 

[CStrickland]

http://postimg.org/image/6xjow0fex/

ugh, that looks painful

does your boss feel sorry for them, or is it just a $ thing?

 

[heathlindner25]

Normal procedure to " pull the dead" every morning at a lfs....

nevermind.... I just saw the picture you posted , your fish store owner knows nothing about taking care of animals.
if somebody did that to a dog or a cat, there's a number I can call to report them....disgusting really

 

[gone fishin]

After looking at the tang pic I certainly think more is going on than acclimation and pH issues. FWIW adding pH will only temporarily raise the pH while increasing the alkalinity.

Also, if this is any indication of the livestock it is no wonder the business is slow.