Well I'm Stumpped

[aceaquatics]

I've been keeping my own reefs for years, and in the last three dealt with 10-30 people a day facing freshwater/salt water aquarium dillemmas here at a local fish store 40 hours a week.

A co-worker of mine began a 55 gallon salt water endavor, a suitable size I felt. After one round of fish mortality, (pH, NH3, NO2, NO3, kH, salinity, and conductivity levels normal.) we discovered a temperature issue and dealt with it. The tank is a solid 80 now, and two more rounds of damsel fish bit the dust as we proceeded.

My only guess is a Mantis shrimp, but not all the bodies are indicative of such an end. RO water is used, and a couple of small water changes have been performed. After almost two months, no results. (My original thought process played off of the BIO SPIRA.) I've been seeing more and more BIO SPIRA tanks failing, however nothing is indicative of foul water quality.

Anybody have an idea? HELP!

 

[drummereef]

Boy, that's a tough one from the info you provided. Bad acclimating procedure perhaps? Doubtful with your knowledge but hey, what the heck...

 

[coast2coast7390]

lower the temp...if that doesnt work...check all of the rock

 

[Willjs7]

Where are the fish coming from?

 

[magdelan]

Where did the tank come from? Is there something being emitted from the silicone seals?? Are you using crazy amounts of air fresshners in the room or candles? Is it near a kitchen with lots of cooking going on?? I know that venturi skimmers can suck that BAD air right into a tank.

Just some thoughts...

 

[cdangel0]

What about an electrical leak in to the water?

 

[aceaquatics]

okay okay, good start getting this thing rolling. Um the seals are probably okay, although it is a Perfecto tank, I'm not a fan of their rather thin glass.

Acclimation has been 20-40 minutes, depending on specimen... (When I get $1700.00 worth of fish in on Wednesdays I'm a big proponent of cut and dump procedure myself. it makes three hours out of what could take six). But Eric is very diligent about that task with this tank. I've known several of his specimens for more than a 3 month period of time, all have been in immaculate health.

We are having a rough time lowering the temp, something tells me there may still be a faulty piece of electrical equipment. Water conductivity looked good last I checked, but he is using Stealth heaters...(In my experience have been very faulty, but only in salt water.)

I'm headed over to his place tomorrow, to check out the atmospheric conditions, rock, etc. Thanks for your input guys...

Got anymore ideas?