unknown

[lmracing8l]

Hi, I am a newbe to this forum and saltwater fish. I have a 120g. fish only tank with live rock. Before I got into this hobby I thought I did plenty of research, but there is sooooo much more research to do which is why I am here. But, the more research I do the more confused I get. I have a triggerfish that acts like he has ich, but no white spots. He goes up to a rock and swings his body at it, really fast. Would anyone know if this is normal for him or is it ich? The fist time he did it, he doo dooed right after then quit, so I thought maybe he just felt frisky to doo. I also have a porcupine puffer that has become ill and no idea what is wrong with him. He looks absolutely perfect. No spots, no tail or fin rot, no leisons (sp), nothing. But, he just lays on a rock and he didn't eat very well tonight. If anyone could help or know what is going on, I would appreciate it. Thanks

 

[Jerry W]

Start by providing some additional info on your system;
All parameters; salinity, temp, pH, nitrates and any detectable ammonia or nitrites.
what type of filtration; what are you feeding; what all is in the tank in terms of fish and inverts; How long has the trigger been scratching?
This info might provide some clues as to what's going on.

 

[lmracing8l]

Ok, My salinity is 1.022, Temp is 81, nitrates are .8, ammonia is 1.5, Filtration is a sump with a asm skimmer in it. I am feeding frozen, squid, shrimp, clams, mussels, and spirulina algae. Morning and night. I alternate foods. I can hand feed my fish so I know exactly how much and that they are eating all the food.
The trigger has been scratching one day. I realize my parameters might be alittle high, like the nitrates and ammonia but they have always been like that. They have never been 0. I just upgraded to this 120g. from a 54g. Even in the 54g. they where never 0. The lfs said I could just transfer everything over and top off with my 54g. water and everything would be fine. I use to test once a month. Now I probably test every 3 days. If you need any more info let me know. I hope you have enough. Thanks
ps. Fish include porcupine puffer, triggerfish, snowflake moray eel, some snails and hermit crabs.

 

[andrewsmart]

what test kits are you using get some salifert ones your readings can't be right. or it seems unlikely.

if they are right then this is probably your problem the amonia etc is causing stress do some large water changes.

how long ago did you upgrade.

 

[lmracing8l]

I am using Tetratest Laborett. It has ph,kh,nitrate and ammonia. I upgraded 3 weeks ago. Also, if I do a large water change it will take me days to fill the tank. My RO is from Culligan, it's one we use for drinking water. It does 2g/hr. How exactly would I go about doing that? Is it ok for the sump and protein skimmer to not be running until I get it filled?

 

[andrewsmart]

get a large rubbermaid container a pump and heater and make up water in that as fast as you can.

match the temp and salinity in your rubbermaid to the tank and swap out water from the tank and replace with the rubbermaid water.

you have an amonia spike i would personally add some cycle or the like bacteria you use to start the tank up.

but water changes are the key. can you buy water at your LFS.

 

[lmracing8l]

could I use spring water or distilled water also to help speed the process?

 

[lmracing8l]

Ok, I hope this isn't a stupid question, but why the pump? Is it to circulate the water until I get a rubbermaid full? and also the cycle I used to start up is called stability. Is that good?

 

[andrewsmart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9655757#post9655757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lmracing8l
Ok, I hope this isn't a stupid question, but why the pump? Is it to circulate the water until I get a rubbermaid full? and also the cycle I used to start up is called stability. Is that good?

the pump is to oxegenate the water and mix the salt.

i am in the uk so not sure of us products but any of the bacterial cultures imo will help.

 

[lmracing8l]

ok, I think I get it. Sometimes alittle thick here. I have a mag drive utility pump. Is that good or should I use a powerhead aerator? I just went to the lfs store and got another heater and some more stablility to use, now I have 4g. in my rubbermaid bucket and a heater. I also got another test kit until I can get my hands on salifert. I am going to have to order that. Thanks for the help!

 

[andrewsmart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9656457#post9656457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lmracing8l
ok, I think I get it. Sometimes alittle thick here. I have a mag drive utility pump. Is that good or should I use a powerhead aerator? I just went to the lfs store and got another heater and some more stablility to use, now I have 4g. in my rubbermaid bucket and a heater. I also got another test kit until I can get my hands on salifert. I am going to have to order that. Thanks for the help!

any pump will do as long as it circulates the water.

let us know how you go.

 

[lmracing8l]

I put the aerator to circulate the water and a thermometer. I am still filling the rubbermaid. Although I am at work now and will have to finish when I get home later. I couldn't get enough water out of my ro unit. I ordered another one today, different though, to help get more water and I will use both. The new one has a faucet adaptor so I can do that. The unit I have now was enough for the 54g. tank, but with the 120g. it takes alot more which I don't know why, but I didn't anticipate it. I should have known better, it is only common sense. The puffer fish has perked up and is eating and back to his normal self. The trigger on the other hand is not doing so good. I hope he can hold on until I get home and change the water. I will do a big water change.

 

[Hattie B]

Good idea with the water change..

I agree with a little better test kit. =)

Also, the puffers behavior is not necessarily all the unnatural. Puffers are not known to be the most active fish in the tank.

My puffer mainly 'sits' (you know perches) himself in one or two favorite spots and really only swims around at feeding time or when he is begging for food and well thats pretty much it. =)

 

[lmracing8l]

Well, I did the water change and I am also refilling my rubbermaid for another if need be. I am going to do a test with the new test kit to see what the parameters are although this one has different numbers like ammonia 10 where the other one was 1.5 or .8. Should I expect to see the parameters at 0 or just lower then they were? I was just wondering if I should do another water change if they are not at 0. I also put stablility in when I did the water change and it says to use it for 7 days.

 

[lmracing8l]

my parameters are salinity is 31ppt/1.022 1/2 gravity. Ph is 8.0, Nitrite is 0, Nitrate is 10ppm, ammonia is .50ppm. I just added some ph buffer to bring that up alittle. I also added stability for the day. What does everyone think, do another water change or wait a day or 2 and test more?