Decentegrating zoo's

[9fishers]

I had some zoos in my nano that seemed to close up, turn white and then die. Whats up with that? Also, my frog spawn frag just up and died yesterday. I checked parameters yesterday. Everything was "normal". Some things in the tank are just fine and then others are clinging on to life. I dont know if I should just let nature run its course or remove the good stuff for safe keeping elsewhere.Any ideas about deffecientsies? medications?

TIA,

10g
32w pc
hob filter
strong powerhead
15lbs LR
2" LS
mostly softies but a few stonys
3 tiny fish
asst. crabs and snails

[ckreef]

There could be so many different things where would one start and could you ever know for sure.

One Item I wanted to discuss with every one:

How was diner last night --- Mine smelled delicous when I walked in the house.

But if it smelled good then everything in the tank was also eating what you had for diner.

This also applies to cleaning products. If you can smell them --- so can your corals.

I believe I lost a few corals 3 weeks back due to this house cleaning problem. I cleaned the kitchen extra good and you could smell how clean it was ---- 12 hrs later 3 sps corals dead in the water. All three of these corals were kicking butt for a few months with noticable growth --- then I cleaned extra good --- then they were dead.

I now run carbon in my HOB 24/7 to help w/ the chemical warefare both comming from the other corals and comming from the house.

Anyway just some thoughts on smells

[ckreef]

Hey Nicole -- did you get my last PM ??

If all that will be OK let me know the address so I can make the anouncement asap.

Thanks in advance

Charles

[sammy33]

What about your salt mix? I have heard negative things about Red Sea. If I remember correct, that is what you said you were using.

I have recently switched to Marine Environment and am having much less probs than I was having with Coralife mix (low pH and calcium).

When switching salt mixes, go slow. I would use only 1/5 of the new salt and 4/5 of the old salt on the first WC. Then like 2/5 new and 3/5 old on the second wc, 3/5 new and 2/5 old on the third wc, 4/5 new and 1/5 old and then finally use just the new salt. Doing this over the course of six weeks or so will reduce any shock associated with changing mixes.

I agree with Charles on the bad stuff in the air getting into the tank. I am using an air filter in the house now to cut down on the air-borne pollutants.

[9fishers]

and 2yo pushed the on/off button on my pc!Argggg!!! OK, I'll try again while hes napping.

Yes, its Red Sea salt that I have now. I didnt know about switching salts being so potentially dangerous to your tanks/critters (Thanks Sammy) Could my zoos have gone into irreversable shock by not acclimating them from their bag of saltwater to my tank. I didnt mix the 2 waters but I did just stick the zoos in there. A few have survived but most just "rotted away". Cleaning products not an issue in office.

On another note re this same tank.....I have( er...had) a possum wrass. I guess I had him for about a month. He seemed to be OK but just never really looked happy. He spent a lot of time going up and down the glass. He didnt eat much but did pick at the pods on LR. Anyways, I rearranged my tank 2 days ago. I didnt remove the fish, I just sorta worked around them. Well, today he's dead. From his demeanor, Im thinking he was a captured fish and just didnt adapt to confinement. I am sad that I did this. He was an OK fish, but lacked color or personality. However, my little yellow goby kicks butt in that tank!!! Just love him!!!! Can I get another goby so hes got a companion?

Charles, you said you run carbon 24/7. Is it one of those filters that you stick into your HOB? I have/had one in my HOB but it seemed to be a nitrate factory. Since I removed it 3 days ago, my cyno hasnt been very bad at all. My Q is....is there a carbon filter without the filter flossy stuff that catches detritus?

Thanks guys!!

[Ray1214]

Go with a filter sock. I actually run the filter floss and no carbon and add carbon as I see fit.

Ray

[ckreef]

I have an Aqua Clear filter so the Carbon is seperate in a mesh bag. They also have a foam block, Amo-Rid mesh bag.

I only use the carbon and replace it every two weeks so hopefully I'm replacing it often enough for it to not become a problem.

Even if you had a whisper style filter I would think if you replaced it ofen or at least rinsed it out every week you shouldn't run into the nitrate problem.

Charles