Update: Epsom salt disaster

[hrdneglcry]

So quite awhile back I tried the UPS only epsome or no ups whatever the article said and shrtly after all of my coral began to die. It may have been magnesium poisoning or something in the epsom salt. But here I am probably over a year now and still having trouble. I bought a gsp rock and being in my tank for less than a week killed it. It never opened so I put it into a 10 and it melted. The mishap killed gsp, Sinualria, Anthelia and palys. But now my Palys are trying to return. This is why I bought the gsp. I thought the coast was clear. There is a mushroom in the gsp rock that did not die though. I also tried a gsp frag a few montha ago and it never opened. So I'm not sure what kills gsp but not mushrooms. Maybe it would have eventually killed the mushroom but it did not. I have a 120 sump with chaeto. I run 1500 gph of mechanical filtration as the tank has Triggers, Groupers amd Eels. The tank is a 180. The fish have not ever died from this. I thought it was ok because Palys have appeared without being added after many months of the tank rock being bare. They are the same ones I had before.

 

[Kooma]

I think I need some context. You tried to run your tank on Epsom salt? I've heard of it used to treat in a hospital tank, if you put it in your display i would do an immediate 100% water change.

Id expect all coral to die off until that is removed and correct salt and water chemistry is restored.

 

[Llyod276]

Why am I laughing hysterically? Poor dude. Sorry for your loss. how did this even happen? did you perchance use espom salt instead of traditional salt??? As in made salt water using only Epsom salt???
There is a silver lining here, you sir may be one of the first and only reefer(s) to have successfully killed gsp! Collateral damage aside, congrats! Good to hear that your tank is making a comeback!

 

[Dburr1014]

So quite awhile back I tried the UPS only epsome or no ups whatever the article said and shrtly after all of my coral began to die.

Explain what is 'ups epsom salt' or a link to a bag. I'm not understanding.

It may have been magnesium poisoning or something in the epsom salt. But here I am probably over a year now and still having trouble.

Was there a thread on here about the damage a year ago? Can you paste the link here for context?

I bought a gsp rock and being in my tank for less than a week killed it. It never opened so I put it into a 10 and it melted. The mishap killed gsp, Sinualria, Anthelia and palys.

Some tanks can't grow a certain coral.
Could still be a problem from the epsom salt or something different.

But now my Palys are trying to return. This is why I bought the gsp. I thought the coast was clear. There is a mushroom in the gsp rock that did not die though. I also tried a gsp frag a few montha ago and it never opened. So I'm not sure what kills gsp but not mushrooms. Maybe it would have eventually killed the mushroom but it did not. I have a 120 sump with chaeto. I run 1500 gph of mechanical filtration as the tank has Triggers, Groupers amd Eels. The tank is a 180. The fish have not ever died from this. I thought it was ok because Palys have appeared without being added after many months of the tank rock being bare. They are the same ones I had before.

I suggest to test all parameters and post them here. Especially magnesium!

I'll be waiting for the results.

 

[hrdneglcry]

I use regular instant ocean. My grouper became constipated and stopped eating. A post on here recommended epsom for a tang with same problem. I used the correct dose. And it was supposed to be epsom with nothing added I thought it was called UPS on the labele but I followed the directions I'd have to look for the post. But it killed all of my corals. It did not save the fish. I knew it was a gamble. Had it saved the fish I would have been happier.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I use regular instant ocean. My grouper became constipated and stopped eating. A post on here recommended epsom for a tang with same problem. I used the correct dose. And it was supposed to be epsom with nothing added I thought it was called UPS on the labele but I followed the directions I'd have to look for the post. But it killed all of my corals. It did not save the fish. I knew it was a gamble. Had it saved the fish I would have been happier.

Sorry to hear all that. I've been working on trying to correct that bit of misinformation - adding Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) to an aquarium should not be done, as this is a freshwater fish remedy that got incorrectly carried over to marine fish. You should be able to test if this is the issue with your tank by running a magnesium test - it that tests really high, you'll need to lower it by doing water changes with regular sea salt. Here is some text I wrote on this issue:

Often touted as a “cure for constipation”, many aquarists add Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to the aquarium’s water – do not do this in marine aquariums, its use is primarily as a tonic/dip for freshwater fish. Seawater formulas already contain between 7 and 19 grams of magnesium sulfate per gallon (depending on the recipe). NSW magnesium level is around 1200 ppm and sulfur is around 840 ppm. Some benefit might be seen using it as a dip in additional concentrations, but adding a small amount to a marine aquarium itself has no benefit. Epsom salts do have some possible benefit when mixed into the food as a 3% by weight adjunct. Another commonly heard remedy for constipation is; “feed fresh peas”. This is an effective cure for fancy goldfish and Malawi cichlids that develop constipation and bloating. Again, overextrapolation has marine aquarists trying to feed peas to carnivorous fish, etc. The best method to enhance gut motility in fish is to feed frozen adult brine shrimp – not as a permanent diet, just long enough to get the constipation resolved.

 

[Dburr1014]

I use regular instant ocean. My grouper became constipated and stopped eating. A post on here recommended epsom for a tang with same problem. I used the correct dose. And it was supposed to be epsom with nothing added I thought it was called UPS on the labele but I followed the directions I'd have to look for the post. But it killed all of my corals. It did not save the fish. I knew it was a gamble. Had it saved the fish I would have been happier.

Still not quite understanding.
I see you used epsom salt but you added it to the food or the water?
As Jay mentioned, adding to food is fine but you don't add it to make it 100% of the water.

USP maybe? It's pharmaceutical grade is all.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

USP maybe? It's pharmaceutical grade is all.

But what about USP grade delivered by UPS and spilled onto a UPS? What is it then?

Sorry, don't mean to make fun in the current OP situation, but too many acronyms.

Adding some USP Epsom salt to a reef tank is no concern. It's just a magnesium additive with extra sulfate. Adding a massive amount is a problem.

How much Epsom salt was added to what size tank?

Related thread:

No coral will grow- except this?

Awhile back I used epsom salt 1 tsp per 5 gallon to try to save a fish. It was just epsom with no additives. According to my refractometer the salinity shot up very high. And it was very difficult to get it to come down. It killed everything. Sinularia, GSP, and palys. It took awhile. Months...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Dburr1014]

But what about USP grade delivered by UPS and spilled onto a UPS? What is it then?

Sorry, don't mean to make fun in the current OP situation, but too many acronyms.

Adding some USP Epsom salt to a reef tank is no concern. It's just a magnesium additive with extra sulfate. Adding a massive amount is a problem.

How much Epsom salt was added to what size tank?

Related thread:

No coral will grow- except this?

Awhile back I used epsom salt 1 tsp per 5 gallon to try to save a fish. It was just epsom with no additives. According to my refractometer the salinity shot up very high. And it was very difficult to get it to come down. It killed everything. Sinularia, GSP, and palys. It took awhile. Months...

www.reef2reef.com

LOL.

I was just trying to discern what type or kind of Epsom salt he put in and hoping that there was nothing in the brand of Epsom salt that he used. He didn't know the name so I did a quick search and pulled it up. I'm glad there wasn't any perfumes or anything else in that Epsom salt that he would be concerned about.

 

[Malcontent]

But what about USP grade delivered by UPS and spilled onto a UPS? What is it then?

'sup?

 

[TX_REEF]

what

 

[Dburr1014]

'sup?

Another play on those three letters, I see what you did there. ;)

 

[hrdneglcry]

This was the thread I went off of. Humblefish recommendation. All if my inverts are alive and my fish. But gap will not grow. Sinularia turned black and died. GSP got killed within a week and I moved it to another tank and it still died. Palythoa are trying to grow again. Aiptasia and Majano have no trouble. Got Majano from fish store buy. Not much Aiptasia. Chaeto and Mangroves are growing fine.

USP grade epsom is all that you are supposed to use...not ups

Yellow tang constipated

Yeah yellow tang is constipated and will no longer eat. I believe it's from not giving him enough sea weed. The reason I believe he is constipated is because his anus is swollen. Please help

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Miami Reef]

But what about USP grade delivered by UPS and spilled onto a UPS? What is it then?

Then USPS needs to deliver it. :grinning-squinting-face:

 

[hrdneglcry]

How Often Should I Dose Epsom Salt

Hey reefers, so I've had to dose my QT with epsom salt to help clear dead internal parasites in my fish. I am also dosing prazi and metro. I tried to feed metro soaked food, but the fish wouldn't feed. So I decided to dose the tank instead. I added epsom salt the same day. Do I need to redose...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jay Hemdal]

This was the thread I went off of. Humblefish recommendation. All if my inverts are alive and my fish. But gap will not grow. Sinularia turned black and died. GSP got killed within a week and I moved it to another tank and it still died. Palythoa are trying to grow again. Aiptasia and Majano have no trouble. Got Majano from fish store buy. Not much Aiptasia. Chaeto and Mangroves are growing fine.

USP grade epsom is all that you are supposed to use...not ups

Yellow tang constipated

Yeah yellow tang is constipated and will no longer eat. I believe it's from not giving him enough sea weed. The reason I believe he is constipated is because his anus is swollen. Please help

www.reef2reef.com

Yes, that’s old and not very good advice. Both Epsom salts and peas are tricks from freshwater aquariums that he extrapolated to marine, but they really don’t work. Think of it - magnesium sulfate is already present in marine tanks, adding a little more won’t be any different than increasing the salinity a bit. The pea trick came from the Shedd aquarium where I used to work, but it was for fancy goldfish.

You should test your mag level - if it is in the normal range then Epsom salts aren’t the issue.

 

[hrdneglcry]

Yes, that’s old and not very good advice. Both Epsom salts and peas are tricks from freshwater aquariums that he extrapolated to marine, but they really don’t work. Think of it - magnesium sulfate is already present in marine tanks, adding a little more won’t be any different than increasing the salinity a bit. The pea trick came from the Shedd aquarium where I used to work, but it was for fancy goldfish.

You should test your mag level - if it is in the normal range then Epsom salts aren’t the issue.

Thank you. I feel whatever the issue the epsom caused it. After following th guidelines the salt reading spiked to like 145... Even after I changed 3 , 30 gallon buckets it would not fall. I had do to water changes for a few days before I got the salinity back to normal. But immediatley after all of the coral started to die. Sunularia turned black. Green Star Polyps starter to receded to the purple mat and then the mat got brittle and disintegrated. This took awhile. And I have been a water change believer for a long time. This had to be over a year ago. I added Chaeto to remove toxins. I bought Mangroves for the same purpose. I run carbon and Zeolite i two 500 gph filters. So for six months or more after all of the corals died nothing grew and no coral could be seen.
Thanks.

 

[Shirak]

huh?

what's salt reading 145?

You have been doing water changes since this happened a year ago with instant ocean mixed to the proper salinity?

How about listing your current tank parameters?

 

[asome_one]

Thank you. I feel whatever the issue the epsom caused it. After following th guidelines the salt reading spiked to like 145... Even after I changed 3 , 30 gallon buckets it would not fall. I had do to water changes for a few days before I got the salinity back to normal. But immediatley after all of the coral started to die. Sunularia turned black. Green Star Polyps starter to receded to the purple mat and then the mat got brittle and disintegrated. This took awhile. And I have been a water change believer for a long time. This had to be over a year ago. I added Chaeto to remove toxins. I bought Mangroves for the same purpose. I run carbon and Zeolite i two 500 gph filters. So for six months or more after all of the corals died nothing grew and no coral could be seen.
Thanks.

Seems like ya gotta get back to the basics. Stop tryna chase 20 different issues. it seems like, from this post, one may be better off with a fresh restart anyway. So where'd id try to start is take out anything and everything chemically additive/subtractive, get your baseline set of parameters with a decent test kit, ensure you have proper lighting and verify with par readings, ensure your salinity is stable and we have some auto top off system. Then after you establish your baseline you can try to tackle whatever weird value is happening. Personally I'd stop trying to throw fixes/corals at it when it appears like we don't know what is going on on a day to day basis.