Anyone willing to give me a second opinion on my tank?
- Thread starter CaliSurferChick86
- Start date
Since you are all wondering what happened, I'm going to share some details. Adriana (CaliSurferChick86) is definitely very cool :top: and I'm glad to be working with her. This is mainly for her to refer to - but I hope it helps some of you too.
No tank crash guys. It's a very nice 95 corner tank with an abundance of frogspawn and other coral and lots of fish hiding in the rock work. Keep in mind while reading this that I didn't sell them the tank or setup the initial equipment.
My diagnosis: A mean clownfish (a very aggressive/territorial percula) and a HUGE green serpent star (I'd say he's almost a foot from tip to tip).... are terrorizing the scared/stressed fish :afraid:. And stressed fish will die. [At first glance, it looks like there is only a clownfish, a serpent star and lots of coral in the tank.]
I was surprised to see all the fish hiding - even before anyone disturbed the tank. I noticed a large yellow tang, a medium foxface, a large wrasse and maybe three or four other fish (chromis, etc.) all hiding in the rockwork.
Their anemone split recently, but they were both well inflated, sticky and healthy.
All of the coral were doing well. It was mentioned that they were not as extended as they used to be, but the majority of the frogspawn were very full and seemed healthy. Other coral of note: Three leathers and a HUGE wellosphylia (brain) and a few mushrooms. They were all open and 'alive and kicking'. Regardless, we're going to review how the tank is supplemented.
As far as ammonia - it barely registered on the test. ANY ammonia is bad so we added Aquarium Solution's Ultimate to detox the tank.
It is a strong possibility that ammonia killed the snails, but I want to give it more thought and get more data. It could even be a predator or hermits getting new shells. But I did notice some astreas on the back wall when I visited.
Other issues: Flatworms - huge flatworms:ahhhhh: And a mild case of cyano bacteria on the sand in one corner. The overall flow of the tank is not that strong - I'd guess the return pump is doing about 300gph. And the tank needs a chiller.
Remedies and recommendations:
* I highly recommend adding more (or replacing) live rock and it should be porous such as Marshall LR (to house more nitrifying bacteria). The existing rock is extremely dense. The additional live rock would give the tank more of a buffer against bio-load problems in the future.
* Get a chiller instead of adding ice cubes directly to the tank - We have a rent-to-own program that can keep it more affordable. It's cheaper to buy it outright, but the rental program can help you get it now and spread out payments instead of one lump sum.
* Flatworm exit, a velvet nudibranch or a orange spotted mandarin for the flatworms.
* Blue Vet's Red Slime Control treatment for the cyano.
* A water change.
* And finally improve the flow in the tank.
No tank crash guys. It's a very nice 95 corner tank with an abundance of frogspawn and other coral and lots of fish hiding in the rock work. Keep in mind while reading this that I didn't sell them the tank or setup the initial equipment.
My diagnosis: A mean clownfish (a very aggressive/territorial percula) and a HUGE green serpent star (I'd say he's almost a foot from tip to tip).... are terrorizing the scared/stressed fish :afraid:. And stressed fish will die. [At first glance, it looks like there is only a clownfish, a serpent star and lots of coral in the tank.]
I was surprised to see all the fish hiding - even before anyone disturbed the tank. I noticed a large yellow tang, a medium foxface, a large wrasse and maybe three or four other fish (chromis, etc.) all hiding in the rockwork.
Their anemone split recently, but they were both well inflated, sticky and healthy.
All of the coral were doing well. It was mentioned that they were not as extended as they used to be, but the majority of the frogspawn were very full and seemed healthy. Other coral of note: Three leathers and a HUGE wellosphylia (brain) and a few mushrooms. They were all open and 'alive and kicking'. Regardless, we're going to review how the tank is supplemented.
As far as ammonia - it barely registered on the test. ANY ammonia is bad so we added Aquarium Solution's Ultimate to detox the tank.
It is a strong possibility that ammonia killed the snails, but I want to give it more thought and get more data. It could even be a predator or hermits getting new shells. But I did notice some astreas on the back wall when I visited.
Other issues: Flatworms - huge flatworms:ahhhhh: And a mild case of cyano bacteria on the sand in one corner. The overall flow of the tank is not that strong - I'd guess the return pump is doing about 300gph. And the tank needs a chiller.
Remedies and recommendations:
* I highly recommend adding more (or replacing) live rock and it should be porous such as Marshall LR (to house more nitrifying bacteria). The existing rock is extremely dense. The additional live rock would give the tank more of a buffer against bio-load problems in the future.
* Get a chiller instead of adding ice cubes directly to the tank - We have a rent-to-own program that can keep it more affordable. It's cheaper to buy it outright, but the rental program can help you get it now and spread out payments instead of one lump sum.
* Flatworm exit, a velvet nudibranch or a orange spotted mandarin for the flatworms.
* Blue Vet's Red Slime Control treatment for the cyano.
* A water change.
* And finally improve the flow in the tank.
Last edited:
My hands are tied. It's not CaliSurferChick86's fault though - she tried!
hopefully they will get a second opinion to confirm your suggestions and reccomendations.
I hate to see fish not taken care of properly, and with your hands tied, it must be frustrating to get the call to be responsible and to drop what you are doing only to have something else pop up as it is most likely to in the future...
Maybe her boss can talk to someone sooner rather then later befre it is a tank crash...
bill
I hate to see fish not taken care of properly, and with your hands tied, it must be frustrating to get the call to be responsible and to drop what you are doing only to have something else pop up as it is most likely to in the future...
Maybe her boss can talk to someone sooner rather then later befre it is a tank crash...
bill
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