Fish dead after water change

[Mickie]

Sorry about your loss, our reefs are so sensitive and sometimes our best intentions lead to deadly outcomes. I think everyone's comments here are helpful and it's difficult to know exactly what caused the problem. I experienced a similar issue once after I cleaned out my overflow box for the first time in two years. I think I released a ton of Hydrogen Sulfide and a lot of other waste products that combined to kill one of my larger fish. Best of luck getting back on track.

Thank you. I'm still so bummed! But hopefully by redesigning my sump and refugium area, hopefully I'll have less of a chance of doing that again. Oi.

 

[Jace Alan Carver]

Do you have any boxfish or anything like that? They release toxins into the water sometimes when stressed by water changes.

 

[Mickie]

Do you have any boxfish or anything like that? They release toxins into the water sometimes when stressed by water changes.

I don't, but that's really good to know!

 

[RMS18]

Kinda related but i recently saw a thread about some's Foxface that died after the owner cleaner his back-wall off from algea. Maybe these fish are a big more sensitive to big changes in water quality. I have a Magnificent who has been through a bacterial bloom and some new tank uglies with no issues other than his normal panicking and zebra effect when scared.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

So I did a 20% water change, stirred up a bunch of crap in my tank and sump (I had surgery a few months back, so my tank didn't have a WC in awhile).

My fox face immediately began to breathe heavy, as did one of my anthias. My fox face today was dead, and one of my anthias doesn't look too great.

Attached are my parameters. Everything looks great, no changes.

Did I stir up a toxin?

Also, my stylophora is starting to melt after the water change.

At a lost... My fox face was much buddy [emoji29]

My other corals are fine and my other fish are fine (3 clowns, 1 anthias, orchid Dotty back, diamond watchman goby, coral beauty)

My tank is 112 gallons as a display, and the sump is roughly 30 gallons.

My inverts had an issue after the WC, but they are all fine now (peppermint shrimp, trochus snails, other snails).

Sorry to hear you lost your buddy. I cannot add anything regarding a possible cause/fix than has already been added by other members. Were you able to make the recommended changes including the temporary air stone?

Oh, I almost forgot; after seeing your profile pic, I couldn't help but think of this song. I am fairly sure you've heard it before but, if not, enjoy. If you have heard it, it's always worth another listen.

 

[Mickie]

Sorry to hear you lost your buddy. I cannot add anything regarding a possible cause/fix than has already been added by other members. Were you able to make the recommended changes including the temporary air stone?

Oh, I almost forgot; after seeing your profile pic, I couldn't help but think of this song. I am fairly sure you've heard it before but, if not, enjoy. If you have heard it, it's always worth another listen.

Love that song!

My air stone came today, but I've done everything else so far. My corals are still a bit meh except one... And my fish have all recovered. It's getting there... Slowly. Lol

 

[Philipgonzales3]

How old is the sand ? As others mentioned, oxygen depletion can be a real big problem. However, am worried about Hydrogen Sulphide being leached into the water from stirring up the sand bed which caused the depletion in oxygen .

As other said, I would immediately run air pump with wooden airstone, add fresh carbon to soak up any toxin , even start doing wet skimming , increase anything to increase oxygen content and if possible send teh water for tRiton or ATI testing immediately .

Regards,
Abhishek

This is common? Also the algea bloom oxygen thing? Just curious. So it's never a good idea to stir up sand?

 

[MnFish1]

This is common? Also the algea bloom oxygen thing? Just curious. So it's never a good idea to stir up sand?

I dont think its common - that said it depends on how deep the sand is. I personally bought one of those python gravel cleaners - that uses your faucet - to create a siphon/suction - and use that to clean the sand. So as you use it - the bad stuff is 'sucked out' with the detritus - and doesn't release any potential chemicals. That said - in reality - Fish (sand sifters) - etc live in that sand as well. So - I think it becomes a problem when someone doesnt do anything to the sand for months - and then all the sudden decides to disturb it.