HELP NEEDED ASAP!!!

Beaches · 09-11-2001, 07:39 AM

OK, I think I made a terrible mistake. Anyway my Sebea anenome isn't looking real well--tentacles are all shrunken, but the fish and rest of anenomes are all fine.

Last night I automatically checked all water levels, there was .25 on ammonia, but everything else looked fine. Did a partial water change.

When I woke up this AM the tentacles were still shrunken even more. So I checked water levels again--everything fine. Then I started going through what changed--then it hit me...I had changed the carbon filter. So I checked the package and sure enough I believe this is the culprit...I somehow ended up with a Freshwater carbon--so I immediately ditched it, cleaned/rinsed my filter medium and replaced w/correct carbon, did a 50% water change in the tank, and removed the anenome to my "small hospital/holding tank." It seemed to perk up a little so maybe there's hope???

I won't be getting home till late tonight, is there anything else you can think of I can do to try to save it? I have someone at the house who could help...

Your advise is appreciated!

Brooke · 09-12-2001, 10:19 AM

Beaches-
I think you've done about all you can do. How are things looking today?

Brooke

Beaches · 09-12-2001, 10:53 AM

Well, I'm hoping I've gotten lucky this time...or maybe I'll just feel really stupid!!

Anyway, thinking it might be starving to death, I fed it a little piece of shrimp last night. Don't know if this helped (made me feel better).

Anyway, this AM it was a little "puffier/filled".

I called one of my reliable lfs (he's been extremely helpful with all my rookie questions and I haven't had any bad advice so far from him) and explained what was happening--he says this is normal. It may have just "expelled" it's waste and will take 2-3 days to re-fill w/water. However, he told me I had done all the things that could be done and I'd just have to wait and see. He also told me not to try to feed it for a week or so, put it back in the main tank (since water conditions were fine) just let it filter what's flowing through the water.

So wish me luck, I'd really hate to lose this one--I'm sure my Tomato would be crushed (tried to attack me when I took it out!).

Take care.

Reefer94 · 09-12-2001, 09:28 PM

Is there a real difference in the carbon? Interesting.. how sensitive is it? I've always used standard carbon pads, they never specified Fresh or salt.

DennisW · 09-13-2001, 12:58 AM

activated carbon is activated carbon. There is no difference between them.

Dennis

tmncali · 09-13-2001, 02:52 AM

Hello,

Good luck to you and your anenome.

and has there been any info as to what the diff between the 2 would be?

Thanks

tony

Beaches · 09-13-2001, 09:07 AM

Don't know if it's accurate/true but the lfs indicated that there may be more phosphates in the ones marked for freshwater vs. saltwater?

Haven't been home to check on anenome, hoping everything is fine--will let you know tomorrow!

Everyone take care.

rochelleryan · 09-13-2001, 07:39 PM

Hope your sebae perks up. It may be just a phase it's going though. My sebae is known to shrivel up intermittently. I get really nervous too every time it does that. I practically hold my breath until it comes around. Sometimes, directing a powerhead towards it helps. I have been told they do that to excrete their waste. Good luck [fish]

Beaches · 09-14-2001, 07:36 AM

Unfortunately I don't think it made--I'm assuming it's dead.

Came home yesterday (8:15p) to a disaster in my tank--gunk floating everywhere!

I removed the anenome from the tank back to my "mini hosptial," and did a major cleanup--removed all the fish and lr to an aerator bucket. Did another 50% water change, vacumned the sand, cleaned out the filters, added new carbon, etc. In the middle of all this dropped my Seatest--it broke--had to run to the store to get a new one (8:45p)!

Needless to say it was a long night. Anyway this AM tank was pretty much back to normal but I'm assuming I'll be starting over w/cycling due to all the changes, etc. this week. Fish seem to be fine and all other anenomes are OK, but the "patient" hasn't moved and isn't showing any sign of improvement, still shrunken and is letting off stringy, gunky stuff.

I'm pretty sure it's not going to make it. Think I'll just stick to what I have until the 75g becomes reality.

Hope everyone has a healthy, dry (here in FL it's quite wet and windy--tropical storms/hurricanes, etc.) and safe weekend.

Don't forget to keep the victums of this week's disaster in your prayers.

tdwyatt · 09-16-2001, 11:33 AM

[quote] Don't know if it's accurate/true but the lfs indicated that there may be more phosphates in the ones marked for freshwater vs. saltwater?

Actually it has to do more with the source of the carbon than the intended use... I really can't tell you if there is a market difference between those carbons intended for FW vs. SW use (actually, I had not noticed this in the lfs or net sites...) but I can tell you that carbon made from coconut shells ( a common cource...) is high in both organic and inorganic phosphate. If you are unsure about your carbon, take 2 tsp of the carbon in question and put it in 500 ml of RO/DI water (or distilled water, approximately one pint US) and agitate this for about 2 minutes and allow it to sit overnight. Test the water in the morning for phosphates. If your carbon is a high phosphate brand, this will definitely demonstrate it with a positive test result.