What to do next after a crash?

[Polymate3D]

Hello everyone

I have had a Fluval Evo aquarium running for over a year. It was going really well after using what worked for me in the past before a 8+ year gap.

Then I took the stupid decision to bond my rocks together one night with DD Epoxy. Talc released and no skimmer. Woke to fish and some inverts dead. Moved remaining corals and inverts to my QT aquarium. Left things for over a month, monitoring parameters and doing water changes (20% each week) until things stabilised back to normal.

Since then I have got a Dwarf Angelfish and a clownfish at different times. The Angelfish had flukes which was treated with a Praziquantel treatment and water changes between the treatments. Did this 2 times over 2 treatments. They showed a good improvement and then 3 days later went down within 24 hours. The clownfish which was a couple of weeks later died within 3 days of what looked to be brooknella (No treatment was started for this).

Being very shaken by this situation (I'm clearly not into killing things and my past experience was never close to this) I did a 50% water change after finishing the treatment and put the corals from the QT tank back into the main tank, due to the light not being great in the QT tank (50<120 PAR for softies, but were under 80<220 PAR prior).

Since doing this, my Kenya tree is fine. My GSP looks rough but coming out. My Palys and Zoas are closed now for over 7 days, never opening. Some of the Zoas have gone, and I am thinking my emerald crab is eating them, but he never did before.

Prior to all of this, the inverts and the corals all go along perfectly. Water quality when tested was decent in my eyes as well, but I am just too scared to take my next step without seeking others opinions. Fish / Invert wise I do not plan to do anything between now and the 1st week of June to give the tank over 35 days since anything else was done.

Parameters:

Salinity = 1.025
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10
Phosphate = 0.08

My head is saying get some hydrogen peroxide and dip the entire rocks for something like nudibranchs, and also help with the bubble algae on one rock, but what should I do?

Write the tank off and start from scratch again?

Treat the tank like new and dose bacteria?

Leave it a long time and see what happens?

To help clarify, inverts in the aquarium currently are fine. parameters are stable. Corals look rough or closed up, except the Kenya Tree. Seneye Reef confirms PAR levels are as they were as well.

Thanks for reading so much

- Paul

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think you are fine. The first case is obvious, those sticks of putty can do a lot of damage to a tank, especially without a skimmer, now you know.

The second case, I am guessing your tank is evo13.5? is much too small for an anglefish, surely it get stressed in that small tank and spread the stress to the clown. (If not a 13.5 then I apologize for assuming.) You also skipped the quarantine so could have introduced the disease to the tank.

I think just 5 minutes of googling would have prevented both cases. No need to completely reboot the tank, just read in advance to avoid these easily avoidable cases. Now you should leave the tank fallow for the disease to die out, then strt stocking again. Good luck

 

[PharmrJohn]

Sorry that happened to you. I did something (or didn't do something) to kill my 90 about 12 years ago. It sucked. Get back on the horse.

 

[Polymate3D]

I think you are fine. The first case is obvious, those sticks of putty can do a lot of damage to a tank, especially without a skimmer, now you know.

The second case, I am guessing your tank is evo13.5? is much too small for an anglefish, surely it get stressed in that small tank and spread the stress to the clown. (If not a 13.5 then I apologize for assuming.) You also skipped the quarantine so could have introduced the disease to the tank.

I think just 5 minutes of googling would have prevented both cases. No need to completely reboot the tank, just read in advance to avoid these easily avoidable cases. Now you should leave the tank fallow for the disease to die out, then strt stocking again. Good luck

Thanks for taking the time for such a in depth reply.

Yes the tank is a Evo 13.5 (Back filtration section is removed and my own filter design was fitted into the back right corner, so display is larger than default). In the 1st year I had a cherub angelfish which went great until he just wasn't around anymore. Ate that night and fit as a fiddle. Next day I looked about and couldn't find him anywhere. Never showed any signs I could see of stress.
This recent one was a Bicolor and again, he seemed just fine with many places to hide away if they wanted too. I always saw stress as them not wanting to swim about or racing frantically around. Maybe I should reconsider my choices though.

The Epoxy I read the guide it came with and watched the BRSTV video on using it and neither covered it off in a way I was concerned. (DD states 1:5000 cases can result in distress, BRSTV didn't say anything). Again my action was likely too fast and in looking it up further in hindsight it was clear elsewhere (including here).

Im currently planning 35 days. Would you say that's reasonable or go longer? I'm not looking to rush, but to create the strongest foundation I can.

Appreciate the luck part and the time / insight.

- Paul

 

[Polymate3D]

Sorry that happened to you. I did something (or didn't do something) to kill my 90 about 12 years ago. It sucked. Get back on the horse.

Thanks for the words. I'm definitely not dropping it. Prior to my 8 year hiatus I was doing well for around 10 years with a dwarf lionfish and Marine Betta so I am not dropping it for sure.

Saying that, I'm not here to making these living organisms lives hell but to give them a nice ecosystem. The oceans are struggling enough without my stupid mistakes, hence reaching out for the advice

- Paul

 

[Polymate3D]

Quick bump with a additional update.

Zoas and Palys still closed and seem to be getting smaller. Kenya tree seems unhappy. Metallic long GSP doesn't look great but is out and seems okay.

Trochus snail was on its back. Placed against glass and looks to be dead now. The only invert in the tank I can see still going is a emerald crab.

Now heres the kicker. Even Aptasia is dieing in this tank! 2 look to be completely gone and another one is on the move but shriveled up.

Tests still look great. Light levels in the 90 to 200 PAR region. Checked at stray voltages but that's okay. Something seems really off in this tank to me.

I'm currently considering a ICP test at this point.

 

[Polymate3D]

Still not going well. Kenya tree constantly sulking now as well

Zoas and a Aptasia:

Kenya Tree:

And the Metallic GSP:

I really don't see this as being normal after a week or longer now except the GSP

 

[Polymate3D]

Another day, another sign something is seriously wrong:

2 dead bristle worms. It's been nearly 6 weeks since the crash for epoxy / talc now and I have done 2 30% water changes in that time.

Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, salinity and temperature are all still showing okay.

Nothing about this aquarium seems normal right now.

- Paul

 

[Polymate3D]

Last update until I make a big decision.

I am away for a week on holiday and so I have done a 25% water change. Did another just to dilute anything that could be a issue. Will see what's happening when I get back. Found more dead bristleworms this morning.

If you read this and there is no comment from me after this, assume everything kept dieing and its better to just cut your losses.

I hope however I return and can give some positive news

- Paul

 

[JTP424]

Following in hopes we hear from you again in a week!

 

[goosemans]

put some hydrogen peroxide in a bucket of tank water and soak your rocks in there to get all the algae off

 

[Rappa]

Maybe get some Cuprisorb? You may have some metals in the water leached from the epoxy. I run it every now and then just in case. With such a small tank, tiny problems become huge. Just simply putting your hands in the tank with some leftover soap on them could wipe it out...

I had a 50 gallon tank for 20 years with a 150W metal halide w/actinics combo light and could never keep Zoas for some reason... Even pest corals like Pulsing Xenia would die off. However, Torches, Frogs, Leathers, and Anemonies did great. I always felt like the water volume was so small that any issues I had were made much bigger because of the low volume of water. No sump and 60lbs of Live Rock my volume was probably 35 gallons.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following, wishing you the best of luck!

 

[Polymate3D]

put some hydrogen peroxide in a bucket of tank water and soak your rocks in there to get all the algae off

It is on my list now. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Polymate3D]

Maybe get some Cuprisorb? You may have some metals in the water leached from the epoxy. I run it every now and then just in case. With such a small tank, tiny problems become huge. Just simply putting your hands in the tank with some leftover soap on them could wipe it out...

I had a 50 gallon tank for 20 years with a 150W metal halide w/actinics combo light and could never keep Zoas for some reason... Even pest corals like Pulsing Xenia would die off. However, Torches, Frogs, Leathers, and Anemonies did great. I always felt like the water volume was so small that any issues I had were made much bigger because of the low volume of water. No sump and 60lbs of Live Rock my volume was probably 35 gallons.

Never knew this stuff existed. It may be a good shout. Been doing water changes because of similar concerns but this would also help if its leaching from rockwork. Thanks for the advice and sharing the experience you have had.

- Paul

 

[Polymate3D]

Following, wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks!

I am not back until 28th now, so I will definitely post back how it is when I get back. I don't have high hopes. Just really want the GSP is make it through. Good thing is I have no rush to fix it either, as I am unsure what I really want to do with it at this stage. All I do know is I am not stopping or giving up. Time could be the best thing for the aquarium and time is something I can definitely give it!

- Paul

 

[Rjukan]

Just putting this out there, but how do you test salinity? Have you calibrated it recently? If you're doing so many water changes, and you're not 100% sure of the salinity then you will be causing more harm than good every time you do a WC. Maybe you've had it double checked at the LFS?
At any rate, enjoy the holiday and try to rest and reset!

 

[Polymate3D]

Just putting this out there, but how do you test salinity? Have you calibrated it recently? If you're doing so many water changes, and you're not 100% sure of the salinity then you will be causing more harm than good every time you do a WC. Maybe you've had it double checked at the LFS?
At any rate, enjoy the holiday and try to rest and reset!

Thanks for taking the time to think of some things!

I have using a refractometer. I have used RO to calibrate it and I get my salt water done at my LFS (Used them for 20 years with no issues). I have got them to check the reading as well of there mix and then measured myself. Both measured 1.025. I typically go for 1.025<1.026. I don't dose anything as well, but have measured calcium over these at around 380<390ppm which matches the classic Tropic Marin they use.

I have been head scratching on this but there is a lot to take into consideration with my situation as well. Big crash due to oxygen depletion. treatment of a fish for a couple of weeks, and then weeks on just water changes and seeing random things die off. I have other time away in the next 4 weeks or so, so the plan is to just let it run and see what happens.

As mentioned, will update the thread on 28th with an update!

- Paul

 

[Polymate3D]

So I am back from being away and boy was I welcomed to some more information!

Black sections in the crushed coral floor. Believe this is a sign of lack of oxygen, so I did a PH test as my 1st test since returning.

PH Today = 7.6!!!
PH before leaving = 8.2

This is a fluval evo, with a semi open top and a wave maker rippling the surface as as the normal pump. I am now drawing in air bubbles as well. Assuming I should agitate the floor as well to get oxygen in there...

Bad News:

Zoas gone
Palys gone
Kenya tree gone

Good News:

GSP still alive
Emerald Crab still alive
Aptasia is gone as well

So something has reduced PH, likely oxygen levels but unsure why. Lost a lot still after the last 10 days. Before these 10 days I saw no signs of the PH issue. Water changes were around 25% each week so I should of still seen the PH situation.

Other information:

Naturally algae growth is pretty high. Seeing algae forms I have never seen before.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5<10ppm

It's now been 7 to 8 weeks since I used the epoxy stupidly and started this whole mess.

Due to the loss of every coral now except the GSP, I am considering putting that in my QT tank (It was okay with the low PAR values) so I can salvage something at least. I would do more drastic work but I will be away again 2 more times for short periods, so what's the point?

I think I am basically written the tank off at this point, but unable to start it again right now, so may as well just let it run and see what happens next!

- Paul

 

[Rappa]

That sux... Maybe just let the tank simmer for a while. Keep the light schedule going. Put the Cuprisorb in there, run some carbon, let the hair algae grow out to the point where its easy to clean manually and use up the excess nutrients in the tank. Get through the ugly stage, keep your hands out of it. Do a deep cleaning and a water change in a month or so. Then try adding fish again...