Seriously?!? What now? Need advice...

[MurphysLaw]

So I set up a 55gal with dry vida-rock, dry sand, seeded it with Dr. Tim's and Microbacter for cycle and bio filtration. I got a pair of tank bred Ocellaris clowns. After a couple weeks they started to not eat, not really swim around, and breath rapidly. They took turns going through these symptoms where one would be fine for a day or two then Not...No visible symptoms like cloudy film, specks, white on fins.

I set up a bare bottom 10gal QT with a canister filter, Heater, and some PVC elbows to hide in.

When I transferred them into the QT they seemed fine and were eating again... They continued to eat and swim and breathe normally for 9 weeks!!! While my DT was fallow, to potentially starve out ich. (Only Livestock in DT SPS and LPS frags, Cleaner shrimp, red leg hermits.)

I dosed the QT with manufacturer's recommended amount of ParaGuard for 2 weeks to cover other possible bases...

I put the clowns back in the DT and after three days one of them won't eat, rapid breathing, and staying in and close to a cave.

I am not sure where to turn now. My first thought is something isn't wrong with the fish but there is something going on in my setup. I test No ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates. Tank runs right around 78degrees. 1.025 for salinity on refractometer. I haven't checked PH in a couple months... Don't have a ground rod... Advice please, Thanks in advance

 

[brettinteriors]

Try a grounding probe.

 

[jjk_reef00]

With so little information it is hard to tell what is going on. IMO if you thought it was ich you should have used cupramine for 3-4 weeks and left the DT fallow for 12 weeks. I'm not sure how effective paraguard is and at what levels it needs to be maintained at. Is it possible something in your qt absorbed some of the medication? Carbon, live rock, etc...

 

[aquaph8]

Any scratching on rocks, head shaking or sudden jerking or darting around the tank? How are your corals?

 

[aquaph8]

Try a grounding probe.

I was kinda thinking this too.

 

[danfeig]

+1 on the grounding probe. No visible signs of ich anything?

 

[MurphysLaw]

I'm going to watch them for a while when I get home but I haven't noticed any flashing, scratching, or darting. I mean they were perfect for 9 weeks in QT... I will probably try and pick up a grounding probe ASAP and see if that helps.

 

[aquaph8]

That's gotta be it Wade.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Update

Update

I just installed a grounding probe that I picked up from Fishy Bizness. I also got some live brine from them to try. She is allready swimming around the tank more and not just staying in the cave. Showed a little interest in the brine but I didn't actually see her eat any. Fingers crossed... I might borrow a multimeter from work too just to see what I get. Thanks all.

This might be a weird question but could it have anything to do with the Male to Female transition?

 

[aquaph8]

When the dominant one takes over its not uncommon for the female to kinda control the amount of food the male gets. So yes that is possible but I've never seen them not work it out IME. Stray current or not, the grounding probe is a good idea. I should learn to follow my own advice

 

[MurphysLaw]

Good News

Good News

It has been about 24hrs with the grounding probe installed. Got home from work and the clown was out and about, not breathing rapidly, and ate some Rod's. Hopefully it was that simple. Thanks all.

 

[brettinteriors]

sweet

 

[scubabum1983]

I always have a grounding probe in all of my tanks. Stray current can cause real problems.

 

[MurphysLaw]

I will definitely have one from now on. Easy $12 fix.

 

[jjk_reef00]

Glad it is working for you. Do you know what the source of the current is, pump, powerhead etc?

 

[MurphysLaw]

I dont know, either my Seadra pump on my EuroReef skimmer, Finnex heater, JBJ ATO float switch, or the Eheim return pump I bought from you

 

[MurphysLaw]

No hard feelings if it is just giving you a hard time. Thanks, I'm glad it worked out too.