RBTA that's most likely dieing/dead

[redvipe2010]

Sorry for your loss. No need to wait 2 - 3 months to start adding fish. Just take everything slow once you start adding them. Get your alkalinity problem straightened out first. That alkalinity may have contributed to the death of those fish too, not just the anemone dieing.

Keep doing large water changes to save the clean up crew.

Research everything before you buy. We have all made mistakes in this hobby. Get a good grasp on alkalinity before adding anything.

What is the ammonia, nitrates and nitrites now?

 

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9661102#post9661102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Azial
It died on the overnight, there was no doubt of it's death. The problem? It must have released toxins into the water killing all the fish too. I guess I start over, and lessons learned.

Dying anemones don't release toxins. They can cause an ammonia spike due the large amount of organics released, and this could cause your fish to die. This is pretty easy to check with an ammonia test.

However, I'm betting the more likely scenario is oxygen deprivation. A large dead item in your tank can cause a massive bacterial bloom in just a few hours, stripping the tank water of oxygen and causing other tank inhabitants to suffocate. This problem occurs more often at night (due to lack of photosynthesis by the various algae in the tank). Also, you mentioned that you had reduced your water flow to help the anemone - lack of strong surface agitation (which supports gas exchange) can help cause an oxygen deprivation event.

What I'm getting to is that you don't have to wait to add fish. More than likely, you could add them today and they'd be just fine. Just do ammonia and nitrite tests, and if they're zero, you can add fish. I'd also make sure you have a powerhead or return pointed at the surface of the water too, just for good measure.

FWIW,
Kevin

 

[55semireef]

I would also have to add your lighting is close to minimum. I have noticed in the past that sick anemones do better under stronger light. PCs aren't very strong.

 

[redvipe2010]

I don't think lighting had anything to do with this. An anemone will not survive long with 21.7 dkh, not mater what the lighting is.

 

[Azial]

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0
PH: 7.8
Calcium: 340
Magnesium: 1260
Alk: 11.2 dKh

 

[SeaView]

Sorry for your loss and I have a question. Why did you test for copper? Did you ever use copper in your tank?

 

[Azial]

I tested copper to be sure I didn't have anything in the water source, which to my knowledge is excellant.

 

[Purple Penguins]

Im so sorry to hear about your loss, I use the same buffer you do, but I learned really fast that always test before adding, if Alkalinity or my PH is high I dont use it, its funny stuff that buffer, it says to use it everyday which i dont suggest by learning exp myself, hopefully next time things will go more smoothly

 

[medic29]

Your best bet to keep your alk and ca in check is to use a 2 part like Randy's 2-part or bionic 2 part; and again, don't worry about your pH. If you are doing water changes you should not have to worry about your pH. Just test it occaisionally to see where it is at. If it is continually running low (acidodic), use outside air for your skimmer and/or put a bubbler in your sump. The most likely cause of low pH is a build up of carbon dioxide and a lack of Oxygen; my experience anyway.

HTH

 

[Azial]

Well I did testing after a smaller water change this morning this is what I have 2 hours after that change:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.0
Magnesium: 1200
Calcium: 320
Alkalinity: 9.8 dKh

My Ca is low, and I own about 4 products to raise calcium but now I am worried about Alk issues in conjunction with Calcium supplements, so here are the products I own:

Kalkwasser w/Doser above the tank
C Balance (Two Little Fishes)
Seachem's Reef Calcium
Purple Up

My gut tells me I should be using C Balance or Kalkwasser. Both of which would add as little impact to the system. Thoughts on this? Or can you point me to specific articles?

 

[medic29]

Check the Seachem's Reef Calcium; if it does not add any alk, then I would dose with that. I just Kent's Liquid Calcium. But, I would get your calcium up to around 430-440, which would match your alk level right now; then you could dose your Kalkwasser, or another 2 part. With your tank being as young as it is, it may take a little while until the rock, etc. stops absorbing the calcium.

 

[redvipe2010]

Here are some articles for you.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605