My fish are dying!

[winzig]

I assume you are using RO water?

 

[Noah25]

It’s strange that you had an ammonia reading with 0 nitrites. But it’s possible.

Your chemistry looks good an bio load looks good. I do agree that your tank looks new. Are you doing any other maintenance? Cleaning gravel, rocks?

The fact that your fish have been in for some time and suddenly dying tells me something has to have changed.

Is the new water good? Any changes to the salt? I thought maybe it could be a toxins from the environment but that would likely affect all your fish.

I’d almost say to cut back on water changes with the levels you have. Let things settle and get the bacteria levels stabilized. Too many water changes in theory could cause problems. Just some thoughts.

I use RO water so the water is fine. The salt stays the same at 1.026.

 

[Noah25]

It’s strange that you had an ammonia reading with 0 nitrites. But it’s possible.

Your chemistry looks good an bio load looks good. I do agree that your tank looks new. Are you doing any other maintenance? Cleaning gravel, rocks?

The fact that your fish have been in for some time and suddenly dying tells me something has to have changed.

Is the new water good? Any changes to the salt? I thought maybe it could be a toxins from the environment but that would likely affect all your fish.

I’d almost say to cut back on water changes with the levels you have. Let things settle and get the bacteria levels stabilized. Too many water changes in theory could cause problems. Just some though

How often to do water changes?

 

[Noah25]

how often do you clean those filters?
hob and canisters can be a factory for phosphates and nitrates
tank definitely doesn't look old at all
and 30 alk ? are you sure?

alk is 30 or 35. I have not cleaned the filters in a couple months. How often do I need to do that?

 

[kevinf]

alk is 30 or 35. I have not cleaned the filters in a couple months. How often do I need to do that?

What are you using to test? Alk at 30 & everything would be dead.

Alk should be 8-12dkh

 

[Dom]

Hello! I hope you are haveing a good day! I have a 75 gallon saltwater tank and about once a week a fish will start laying/flopping on the bottom and dies. The tank is about a year and a half old. The tank had 4 clownfish(they came together and don't fight), 1 coral beuty angelfish, 1 longspine urchin, 1 chocolate chip starfish, 4 chromas, and a Damsel. The fish that died are the coral beuty angelfish and 2 chromas so far. I didnt change anything except I added a lunar light. I never see the fish fight. I really have no clue what could have killed them. Nitrites are at zero and nitrates are at 50 which is a little high but the first fish died when they were at 10. I did a water change a few days ago and will do another very soon. Thank you for your time!

Which of the fish you've listed have you recently added?

A new addition to the tank withing the last few weeks may have transported disease into the tank.

 

[Noah25]

What are you using to test? Alk at 30 & everything would be dead.

Alk should be 8-12dkh

Its 30 mg/L

 

[winzig]

I would clean the filters every few weeks

 

[Noah25]

I use salifert tests for everything but the ph and alkalinity. I use aqueon test straps for that. They seem to match what the salifert say? I will get nicer ones soon.

 

[Noah25]

I would clean the filters every few weeks

Ok

 

[sgdnycct]

The only thing I’m seeing without more information is that you had ammonia. Have you tested that again? It should be 0.

Someone else mentioned oxygen issues and dead spots. Again with limited information that’s possible. But this tank has been running as is for sometime with no issues. If it was an oxygen issues you see symptoms ahead of time and for more than one fish at a time. Dead spots- well I doubt it. In 30 years of keeping fish I’ve never seen hard evidence of dead spots being a thing. Water moves like air hot to cold and high pressure to low pressure. With two in outs + ins you’re probably fine.

Check ammonia again and if it’s not 0 then there’s a potential problem.

Another thing I’d point out. Aggression can become a thing with Chromis and Clowns. They could be ok for years then suddenly go bad. Especially the clowns. To check for aggression you have to set up a video throughout the day a few times while me your not in the room. They know when you are near wand will behave differently. If a fish is going after one at a time the will be relentless and the stress alone could kill off a fish and not show injuries. I’d be surprised if a clown and much less a chromis could go after a CB that way BUT I can say your tank dos not have enough rock for a CB. They need a lot of navigable caves to be happy and feel safe. If a clown did turn it’s possible the CB could get to safety.

In summary:
Check ammonia again and let’s see where that is at.
Take videos and check for aggression while you out of the room.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Havent read the whole thread but I agree with others that low oxygen might be the issue, all the fish are at the top of the water, its not what I expect to see when I look at a tank
EDIT - missed the part where you added the airstone good on you, cheers

 

[MadreeferNJ]

I had a similar problem years ago where I wake up and dead fish for no reason. Everyone said CO2 in tank and to added an air pump. I placed the pump near an open window and ran a long airline to the tank which stopped my fish deaths. I then picked up 2 large powerheads to disrupt the water surface. You can try a CO2 scrubber; I hooked one up directly to my skimmer at one point. Good Luck

 

[Noah25]

The only thing I’m seeing without more information is that you had ammonia. Have you tested that again? It should be 0.

Someone else mentioned oxygen issues and dead spots. Again with limited information that’s possible. But this tank has been running as is for sometime with no issues. If it was an oxygen issues you see symptoms ahead of time and for more than one fish at a time. Dead spots- well I doubt it. In 30 years of keeping fish I’ve never seen hard evidence of dead spots being a thing. Water moves like air hot to cold and high pressure to low pressure. With two in outs + ins you’re probably fine.

Check ammonia again and if it’s not 0 then there’s a potential problem.

Another thing I’d point out. Aggression can become a thing with Chromis and Clowns. They could be ok for years then suddenly go bad. Especially the clowns. To check for aggression you have to set up a video throughout the day a few times while me your not in the room. They know when you are near wand will behave differently. If a fish is going after one at a time the will be relentless and the stress alone could kill off a fish and not show injuries. I’d be surprised if a clown and much less a chromis could go after a CB that way BUT I can say your tank dos not have enough rock for a CB. They need a lot of navigable caves to be happy and feel safe. If a clown did turn it’s possible the CB could get to safety.

In summary:
Check ammonia again and let’s see where that is at.
Take videos and check for aggression while you out of the room.

Ill do that. Thanks!

 

[Noah25]

Havent read the whole thread but I agree with others that low oxygen might be the issue, all the fish are at the top of the water, its not what I expect to see when I look at a tank
EDIT - missed the part where you added the airstone good on you, cheers

Thanks!

 

[Noah25]

I had a similar problem years ago where I wake up and dead fish for no reason. Everyone said CO2 in tank and to added an air pump. I placed the pump near an open window and ran a long airline to the tank which stopped my fish deaths. I then picked up 2 large powerheads to disrupt the water surface. You can try a CO2 scrubber; I hooked one up directly to my skimmer at one point. Good Luck

I am getting powerheads soon. coming in tomorrow.