Two fish died overnight

[KrisReef]

UV is a wavelenght band of light. The Wattage of light and current flow past the light are how UV's are rated. Any 25 watt unit should be able to produce enough light, with the proper flow past the light to clean up a 50 gallon tank.

Getting one on Thanksgiving might be the trick? Get one that has a quartz sleave and available replacement bulbs, they are good for a year of use.

Get one to save your fish, that's a good one.

 

[iratoha]

UV is a wavelenght band of light. The Wattage of light and current flow past the light are how UV's are rated. Any 25 watt unit should be able to produce enough light, with the proper flow past the light to clean up a 50 gallon tank.

Getting one on Thanksgiving might be the trick? Get one that has a quartz sleave and available replacement bulbs, they are good for a year of use.

Get one to save your fish, that's a good one.

Yeah, Thanksgiving day was the wrong time for this to happen but yeah, we’ll go get that type of light and hopefully that’ll help tremendously if they last that long..
We will keep you posted. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Here are ammonia and nitrate

API ammonia tests are pretty poor and difficult to read. Did the store test your water? If so, did they report to you what the ammonia was in ppm?

 

[iratoha]

API ammonia tests are pretty poor and difficult to read. Did the store test your water? If so, did they report to you what the ammonia was in ppm?

we tested it in three different stores and all said that water was good. So does this api kit. So I think level changed maybe couple days ago

 

[danlechem]

Well, we have no UV light in there. As far as bringing the ammonia down, I did buy some type of solution said it would do that hopefully it does.
As far as knowledge, you will not find a more knowledgeable person then the person that sold me the fish the guy is an encyclopedia for marine aquariums, and bitcoin..
I changed about 20% of the water. My wife was told to take out the carbon filter so we could treat them for ich. I’m no expert, but I don’t think that was a good idea so I put the carbon filter back in.
I’ll test the water in a couple hours. Hopefully the ammonia is down and the nitrate.
Do appreciate all your input,

Just to be on the safe side don't follow any of his crypto investing advice!

 

[iratoha]

Update: blue tang died. All other fish aren’t active, I gave a little bit of food and they just ignored it. Here is photo of dead fish and video of aquarium. We did partial water change and level of ammonia and nitrate lowered up but not enough. So I’m thinking about changing more.

 

[iratoha]

API ammonia tests are pretty poor and difficult to read. Did the store test your water? If so, did they report to you what the ammonia was in ppm?

We have this. Used some yesterday and probably should use more today.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is there a skimmer on the tank? The water surface is flat, its better to point a powerhead at the surface to help oxygenate the water. Or add an airstone if you have one. Doesn't seem to be much water movement either, try to get more water movement there.

there is by far inadequate rock in the tank, a 55 gallon should have 50-60 lbs of rock, rock is the biofilter of the tank, its what keeps the fish alive.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, but the fish will likely die, once they gone, PLEASE go slow, do the research before buying any more fish, there were too many mistakes here the fish didn't need to die

 

[iratoha]

Is there a skimmer on the tank? The water surface is flat, its better to point a powerhead at the surface to help oxygenate the water. Or add an airstone if you have one. Doesn't seem to be much water movement either, try to get more water movement there.

there is by far inadequate rock in the tank, a 55 gallon should have 50-60 lbs of rock, rock is the biofilter of the tank, its what keeps the fish alive.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, but the fish will likely die, once they gone, PLEASE go slow, do the research before buying any more fish, there were too many mistakes here the fish didn't need to die

I’m not sure. Here what we have
Also ve have Fritz Zyme 9. Should we use it?

 

[Tamberav]

If your inverts like your cleaner are all alive and well, ammonia isn’t killing your fish.

Ammonia would kill them too and quickly.

When inverts are happy and fish are dying, then this points to disease. There is a good chance you will lose them all if they are not quarantine and treated and then the tank restocked appropriately.

I don’t see enough water flow. You need power heads and lots of surface agitation.

For the fish you have, reality is you need a 200g tank and not a 50g. Whoever sold you the fish is full of ****.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Update: blue tang died. All other fish aren’t active, I gave a little bit of food and they just ignored it. Here is photo of dead fish and video of aquarium. We did partial water change and level of ammonia and nitrate lowered up but not enough. So I’m thinking about changing more.

The rapid breathing in the clown and the tang, plus the previous fish loss indicates that this is either end-stage ich, or more likely velvet. As I had mentioned, in order to try and save them, you'll need to get them into a treatment tank with coppersafe at 2.25 ppm, but it is another day into it, so probably too late to save them all.

 

[iratoha]

If your inverts like your cleaner are all alive and well, ammonia isn’t killing your fish.

Ammonia would kill them too and quickly.

When inverts are happy and fish are dying, then this points to disease. There is a good chance you will lose them all if they are not quarantine and treated and then the tank restocked appropriately.

I don’t see enough water flow. You need power heads and lots of surface agitation.

For the fish you have, reality is you need a 200g tank and not a 50g. Whoever sold you the fish is full of ****.

We don’t have hospital tank. And from research on internet I understand, that hospital tank should be established like the main, with all equipment. It will take long time. Or there is another way to separate them? Yes, inverts looks good. Nitrate level is also pretty high.

 

[iratoha]

The rapid breathing in the clown and the tang, plus the previous fish loss indicates that this is either end-stage ich, or more likely velvet. As I had mentioned, in order to try and save them, you'll need to get them into a treatment tank with coppersafe at 2.25 ppm, but it is another day into it, so probably too late to save them all.

We don’t have treatment tank. It all happened overnight. I knew that tangs are sick and started treatment. All fish, even sick, acted good: swim around, ate good. And next morning like a switch, two dead fish and all other acting like this. I’ll make sure we learn our mistakes.

 

[Tamberav]

We don’t have hospital tank. And from research on internet I understand, that hospital tank should be established like the main, with all equipment. It will take long time. Or there is another way to separate them? Yes, inverts looks good. Nitrate level is also pretty high.

Nitrate isn’t an issue though it could be eventually sensitive inverts long term.

Hospital tank just needs flow, water and pvc for them to hide in. You can use the fritz 9 to establish a filter in it, like a sponge filter or hang on back. Then you need copper safe or copper power and preferably a high range Hanna copper test kit and reagents for it.

Petco has their sales going in sure since it’s Black Friday assuming you are in the states but I have used large totes as quarantine too.

It may be too late but can’t know without trying.

Going forward you should quarantine every fish you add to your tank or you will likely end up right back to this.

You will want it stock appropriately as putting things like 5 clownfish and 3 big tangs will cause constant stress among the fish in such a small tank, this will increase the chance of disease, whether is be parasites or bacterial infections. Immune system is crap when stressed.

Powder tangs are very susceptible to any disease and extremely mean when established. They are not beginner fish.

Also this many large and numerous fish will mean your tank will struggle to keep water quality good and you will be a slave to water changes. Algae issues may eventually pop up or sensitive inverts may struggle.

This is your money, spend it wisely. Don’t trust a fish store anymore than a car salesman. Do your own research, buy books by well known authors and go slow.

This hobby is humbling and most people quit 1-2 years in after they have burned lots of money and made little progress.

 

[iratoha]

Nitrate isn’t an issue though it could be eventually sensitive inverts long term.

Hospital tank just needs flow, water and pvc for them to hide in. You can use the fritz 9 to establish a filter in it, like a sponge filter or hang on back. Then you need copper safe or copper power and preferably a high range Hanna copper test kit and reagents for it.

Petco has their sales going in sure since it’s Black Friday assuming you are in the states but I have used large totes as quarantine too.

It may be too late but can’t know without trying.

Going forward you should quarantine every fish you add to your tank or you will likely end up right back to this.

You will want it stock appropriately as putting things like 5 clownfish and 3 big tangs will cause constant stress among the fish in such a small tank, this will increase the chance of disease, whether is be parasites or bacterial infections. Immune system is crap when stressed.

Powder tangs are very susceptible to any disease and extremely mean when established. They are not beginner fish.

Also this many large and numerous fish will mean your tank will struggle to keep water quality good and you will be a slave to water changes. Algae issues may eventually pop up or sensitive inverts may struggle.

This is your money, spend it wisely. Don’t trust a fish store anymore than a car salesman. Do your own research, buy books by well known authors and go slow.

This hobby is humbling and most people quit 1-2 years in after they have burned lots of money and made little progress.

So I should take out all fish, no matter if they look healthy or sick?

 

[Dragen Fiend]

So I should take out all fish, no matter if they look healthy or sick?

Yes you should QT all fish. Even if they look healthy. If ich is present, you best believe all fish likely have it.

 

[Tamberav]

So I should take out all fish, no matter if they look healthy or sick?

yes

 

[Fishy888]

Well, we were taking the advice from the pet store owners. They checked our water three or four times and said we were good to go. The aquarium was set up for over a month before we put anything into it. Actually for six weeks the fish look like they were doing great and had no issues with three tangs and a 50 gallon tank. I have seen tangs in our local marine store that are in 20 gallon tanks.
So we know the tank was established well, however; whether you have 2 tangs or 5 tangs if the nitrates and the ammonia spikes it is what it is. I think it has everything to do with decomposition of food.
I get it. There are a lot of experts in the world, and everybody has an opinion.
Our research was based off the knowledge of people at the saltwater/marine stores. Who like you seem to be very knowledgeable.
Do appreciate your advice though..

LFSs are in it to make money, even if it means the death of many fishes. Not all LFSs are like that but most are. Research, research, then research some more. Ask questions here. The Desjardini tang in particular, they get bigger than hippo tangs. Considering hippo tangs need a MINIMUM of 180 gallons long term, a Desjardini tang should have AT LEAST 300 gallons IMHO. That by itself is a travesty. Don’t kid yourself, the LFS knew it too!

We’re not trying to shame you. We just want you to succeed. By doing research in advance of a purchase you can be prepared to care for the animal in question. I’ve been given bad advice from LFSs too and followed it before and almost a year ago I got bad advice from a LFS I trusted that I almost followed but I ran it by the forum first. I’m glad I listened before taking said advice. It happens to the best of us.

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

I'm going to throw a little shame to your LFS owner. This guy sold you an expensive time bomb. If you take away anything from this experience, it should be that you ought to do some additional research into the hobby. Some of your biggest issues, and issues you just didn't have time to run into, could have been avoided if you didn't listen to this guy and sat down to read through some of the beginner and intermediate topics that are commonly discussed in the hobbyspace.

Dealing with disease is tough, and experienced folks can even have trouble with it, for one reason or another, but being aware of what can come and being ready for it when it happens can make a huge difference. I don't really have anything to say on this that hasn't been said in this thread or in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis sticky threads. Feel free to disregard my ramblings about diseases at this point. Invest in a quarantine/hospital tank - it is worth it, and basically necessary to treat diseases effectively. 10g tanks are $15 at Petsmart right now and nothing that should go in a 50g couldn't tolerate a stint in a 10g. Make sure you have good aeration. I have a sponge filter and an airstone running off the same pump and it works great. Every time you add a fish to your tank, without quarantining, you risk losing every other fish in your tank to disease. They will look ok in the store, and take a turn for the worst when you get home because the stress of travel, not acclimating properly, and being introduced to a new environment will weaken their immune systems. There are ways of mitigating these risks, please look into them. Also, carbon tends to remove medications from your water so it's best to take that out.

The biggest issue (that I can comment on), which could have been avoided, is your stocking. Keeping more than two clownfish is, at worst, considered a death sentence for the clowns and, at best, a coinflip. By all accounts, you very much need a specialized set up to have just a snowball's chance. Clownfish are beginner fish, because they are hardy, but they can get aggressive, as they get older, which requires some insight to resolve. Sometimes, even a pair can turn volatile. They belong to the family Pomacentridae, which also describes damsels. Damsels are well known to be little monsters. Some people have some success with them, but a majority run into issues where they become overly aggressive, killing each other, in much larger tanks. To have five in your tank, so early and so small, is asking to have eventually have one or two. If you're deadset on a damsel with blue, the springeri damsel is relatively mellow and will eat pests. Even if you had a tank that was big enough to house the fully grown tangs, you may have run into aggression issues with them too, because tangs can be notably aggressive. Even if these fish were completely disease free going in, and your biological filter held up to the overly heavy amount of stocking, you would have had major aggression issues that would have only been solved by removing a vast majority of the fish from the tank. Marine fish have aggressive tendencies, moreso than freshwater fish. They are far more territorial, and their well being can be reliant on them having the appropriate space to live, eat, sleep, hide, etc.. Putting them in too small a space deprives them of this and effectively turns your aquarium into a pressure cooker. If you google "50 gallon stocking ideas" you'll find people with similar setups and responses to their ideas (good example). And if you google "[fish name] care", you'll get a bevy of info on what it likes, what it eats (good and bad), what to look out for, etc., that becomes invaluable.

As a side note, I don't know how you managed an anemone. Those, by all accounts, are super sensitive to water conditions, amongst other things and can nosedive quick. I hope it continues to work out for you.

There's a lot of good info out there. If only for your (wallet's) sake, take your time and read. You'll definitely enjoy this hobby a lot more.