What could be wrong

[buffalobunch]

My seahorse tank is going wacky. 2 weeks ago my male died. I thought it was old age. The tank had overflowed a few times so because hair algae kept getting caught in the return pump we got a new pump at the irrigation store. It said it was saltwater safe. The tank had been offline from the refugium and sump for a day and a half. I had a powerhead in the main tank to keep the flow. We put in the new pump which had metal on the outside. Since it said safe for saltwater aquariums we thought it would be fine. It was fine for a few days and then yesterday, my bristle worms, stomatella snails and coral banded shrimp kicked the bucket. I tested the tank for everything I have here and all was normal except ammonia which I knew it would be high with the dead things in there. I tested for copper and it was 0. There was brass around the new pump. Could this be it or is there something else I should be testing for. I am stumped. Any ideas? This morning, the amphipods, copepods and some bristle worms are still alive. I have moved the seahorses into another tank until we figure out the problem.

 

[spellbound]

Did you test your specific gravity?

 

[buffalobunch]

Yes. Parameters are:
sp gr: 1.025
ph 8.18
copper 0
dkh 11
phos 0
nitrate 0

the only other test kit I have is calcium and mag for the reef tank

 

[rcmike]

What type of pump was this? Most metal as you know is pretty toxic. I don't know of any that are saltwater safe that have metal on the outside besides a few screws. Sorry to hear of your problems.

 

[ann83]

Having the sump offline for a while and then turning it back on could have stirred things up and caused the ammonia spike, killing the inverts; or the pH could have dropped in the sump while it was stagnant and offline, and the low pH water entering the display could have killed the inverts...

 

[buffalobunch]

Thanks guys. Both is what we are thinking and are going to take the pump out and replace it. I'm just glad that I was smart enough to recognize the problem and get the seahorses into another tank while we replace the pump. I'm going to run carbon for a few days and get the rest of the toxins out. All 4 ponies are doing well and eating.

 

[pledosophy]

If there is no metal internally in the pump is it possile to run that model of pump externally? Might save you from having to replace the pump completely.

What model pump is it?

How old was the seahorse that died?

 

[buffalobunch]

I replaced the pump. It came from an irrigation store and said it was fine for saltwater. I just came to the conclusion it had to be that. I don't know how old the seahorse was that died. I've had him for a year. He was full grown when I bought him a year ago. I am guessing he was atleast a year old. Judging by the size of my 2 female fry that are now 5 months old. I have all 4 in the qt tank and am just going to wait about a week after I've run the carbon for 3-4 days until I put them back in. They are all eating fine and just hanging out.