Mass die off in tank

[aholling]

I have had my tank for over six months and things were going great until I added a bubble tip anemone that I think was harmed in transit. After 12 hours I removed it from my tank when it was no longer moving and putting off a sludge. I then started to lose everything else- my fingertip anemone died (opposite end of my 20gal), both my gobys and now one of the clowns. I’ve been checking my water daily and 2-3 hours after water changes and the parameter are relatively normal.

Temp is 76F, ph 7.5-8, KH 128, the calcium did seem a bit too high (~480ppm- I’ve been doing water changes to try and bring this down but no, I am not supplementing), minimal phosphates, no ammonia, nitrates or nitrites. I did use chemiclean about a month and a half ago due to cyano and did have my protein skimmer on high for increase oxygen but no air stone.

Is this something I am doing wrong/can improve upon? Any guidance appreciated as this is my first tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Photos of your tank?

Are you able to provide a video of your fish? (post as a YouTube link)

#fishmedics

 

[aftrout]

Sorry to hear that. With smaller tanks any die offs small or big can be an issue. While your parameters seem normal, the one culprit in my opinion is ammonia. While your measurement was 0, it could be a false reading. The reason is any dead tissue from your bubble tip is releasing ammonia and your nitrifying bacteria in a 20 gallon will start to multiply and transform it to nitrite before to nitrate. Another culprit could be all the nematocysts that are released in the water column stinging anything it contacts with.

To prevent this in the future I always have at least 50-80% water volume at the ready to do a massive water change. A small Rubbermaid trash can with a lid and pump and heater is all I use. I keep one with freshly made saltwater and one with RO/DI only. If anything seems off, mass area die off, etc., I do a large water change to stabilize and then I trouble shoot. Good luck in the future.

 

[BryanM]

calcium isn't the issue, zero nitrates is a problem.

I would recommend a couple of large water changes as well, and if you have carbon I'd add that, or change it, if you already run carbon.

 

[chip shop]

Think your anemone was your problem,it’s poisoned your water big water changes needed and repeated till it’s leached out of your rocks completely

 

[chip shop]

Low nitrates don’t cause your fish to die

 

[Kooma]

Run activated carbon in a bag in an area of good flow. There are likely some toxins in the water.

On a 20 gallon if you can I would probably do a 70-100% water change plus the carbon. Things are already dying, don’t have a lot to loose.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have had my tank for over six months and things were going great until I added a bubble tip anemone that I think was harmed in transit. After 12 hours I removed it from my tank when it was no longer moving and putting off a sludge. I then started to lose everything else- my fingertip anemone died (opposite end of my 20gal), both my gobys and now one of the clowns. I’ve been checking my water daily and 2-3 hours after water changes and the parameter are relatively normal.

Temp is 76F, ph 7.5-8, KH 128, the calcium did seem a bit too high (~480ppm- I’ve been doing water changes to try and bring this down but no, I am not supplementing), minimal phosphates, no ammonia, nitrates or nitrites. I did use chemiclean about a month and a half ago due to cyano and did have my protein skimmer on high for increase oxygen but no air stone.

Is this something I am doing wrong/can improve upon? Any guidance appreciated as this is my first tank.

The dying anemone and the low pH can indicate bacterial decomposition causing low dissolved oxygen in the water. Does the tank have a skimmer or air stone? If not, you should add some source of aeration.

 

[aholling]

Photos of your tank?

Are you able to provide a video of your fish? (post as a YouTube link)

#fishmedics

This is the clown the day before he passed. His black portions started to lose pigment and the morning he passed his fins seemed a bit frayed. I’ll see if I have a video!

 

[aholling]

Sorry to hear that. With smaller tanks any die offs small or big can be an issue. While your parameters seem normal, the one culprit in my opinion is ammonia. While your measurement was 0, it could be a false reading. The reason is any dead tissue from your bubble tip is releasing ammonia and your nitrifying bacteria in a 20 gallon will start to multiply and transform it to nitrite before to nitrate. Another culprit could be all the nematocysts that are released in the water column stinging anything it contacts with.

To prevent this in the future I always have at least 50-80% water volume at the ready to do a massive water change. A small Rubbermaid trash can with a lid and pump and heater is all I use. I keep one with freshly made saltwater and one with RO/DI only. If anything seems off, mass area die off, etc., I do a large water change to stabilize and then I trouble shoot. Good luck in the future.

Thank you!

 

[aholling]

The dying anemone and the low pH can indicate bacterial decomposition causing low dissolved oxygen in the water. Does the tank have a skimmer or air stone? If not, you should add some source of aeration.

It does have a skimmer but no air stone. I have turned the skimmer up though