Help Me Understand

[rneely2111]

I have a Biocube 16 in my classroom. I've had this tank for approx. 4 weeks. On Tuesday (5/25) I cleaned the substrate and replenished the water I suctioned out with fresh saltwater. The only difference is instead of using Prime I used API Tap Water Conditioner. Once complete the tank ran for approx. 4-5 hours before I checked the water for salt, nitrite, nitrate, and PH. Each checked out fine. On Wednesday (5/26) I walked into my classroom and went to check on my Bicolored Angel Fish, Chocolate Chip Star Fish, and Red Fire Shrimp were all dead! The Biocube was running perfectly. I again checked all of the water parameters and they were fine. The water did have a metallic smell to it. Does anyone have any clue what would cause everything to die between 5pm - 7am?

 

[Salty Rambler]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Did anything survive? Did you have a heater in the tank?

 

[rneely2111]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Did anything survive? Did you have a heater in the tank?

Unfortunately, no. Yes, there was a heater.

 

[Luis's Nano]

I'm not sure how that API water conditioner works but did you check the freshwater after using the product? Maybe TDS was crazy high or something. How much water did you have to replenish?

 

[Salty Rambler]

It might be worth checking the heaters and pumps to see if one of them leaked or otherwise malfunctioned. Since it is in a classroom, any chance a cleaning product, pesticide, or other substance was used while you were gone? Another option could be something from the tap water, if the water treatment plant was conducting a flush of some sort, but I'd lean towards a heater or pump leak.

 

[ZoWhat]

S A B O T A G E

Sounds to me like a coworker, or maintenance person or a student put something toxic in the tank to tell you how much they love you.

Especially when school is wrapping up. A final one-finger salute to you.

Ppl suck


.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

You have a protein skimmer? Im gonna say lack of oxygen. A dwarf angelfish in a 16gal biocube alone with no skimmer would prob be max.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

That water conditioner depelets 02?
Most use a rodi water filter and dont condition the water.
D

 

[CanuckReefer]

You have a protein skimmer? Im gonna say lack of oxygen. A dwarf angelfish in a 16gal biocube alone with no skimmer would prob be max.
D

Um ya....dwarf angel doesn't mean dwarf tank....not to mention not sure I would put a bi-colour in a tank 4 weeks old....

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

+1 to both of those
D

 

[Timfish]

Sorry to hear your loss! Losing everythig including the starfish makes me think something toxic, like some kind of cleaning agent, got in hte tank somehow.