We got a problem here... :/

Ulta

Ulta

REEFER
Ok guys, So I left for California a week ago for my 2 week annual military training. Well needless to say apparently sometime shortly after I left my tank started having issues: The main problem here we found out is that the overflow box sponge I had in there clogged up and wasn't allowing adequate flow. Result was that my canister filter I am still using until I get my final setup all working, was shooting microbubbles into the DT continuously... Well my gf was busy with 2 jobs and a social life and didn't think it was important to take care of right away, also since she didn't know the problem on why it was happening... Well needless to say my DT was filled with microbubbles for multiple days and my ph was already high (8.5 in the morning)... After spread out(days) troubleshooting with her over the phone we got the bubbles fixed by taking out the clogged sponge.

BUT, my corals she says are looking bad, they are all closed up, my Xenia is 1/3 the size, zoas are closed up, and my frogspawn stems are reddish color (in the fleshy part).

Suggestions how to save em?
 
It sounds to me like they are just irritated by the bubbles. A pH of 8.5 isn't bad enough to harm them. I think they should return to normal.

A lot of accidents with people being away from their tanks lately, huh?
 
Micro bubbles shouldn't harm anything. I used to get them all the time in my RSM. They just annoy the corals but do no real harm.
 
Maybe I was understating with the word microbubbles. I should say it was shooting tons of air bubbles throughout the tank for days.

I hope they are just pissed off tho and do recover!

She did a 10% water change for me (my attempt to help solve any unseen problems I might not know about, and help the high ph). I might have her continue this a few more times over the next few days.... can't hurt right?
 
Hope everything is good when you get back. Im sure the corals are ok, if they are closed and parameters are fine they will open soon. Probably just a bit stressed :)

good luck
 
rawrrrrrrrrrr!!!

So, its sounding like things are taking a turn for the worst! >.<

I'll let you guys know more as I get the info/pics but here's what I know now....

1) Cleaner Shrimp (R.I.P.)
2) Brittle Star (R.I.P.)
3) ?# Snails (R.I.P.)

there are traces of ammonia and nitrite (prolly from the deaths)

I'm told her to continue the water changes daily....

The deaths and the snails got me thinking.... I had a strange feeling it was sounding like a thread I read not too long ago... It also gave me a somewhat sick feeling just thinking about it... =(
https://www.livingreefs.com/great-algae-genocide-war-2010-a-t24202.html

I asked her to look for some algae (I tried to describe dinofilanges)... She said that she seen some that does somewhat resemble it... after a long sigh of dread, I asked for her to get to me the pictures ASAP... sniff... Since I took our internet card I won't get them until tomorrow.... *Cross my fingers!!!*



=(
 
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This is very hard to see... =(

I really can't tell anything more though from her pictures except for everything is dieing....

Won't be home until late Thursday too... I don't know what to do : /
 
I don't see any dinos either. There's something else going on.

What are the tank's temps at? Is the thermometer working properly? I bet it's something obvious that she is just overlooking.
 
Not to sound stupid...Are you certain that when she's doing water changes she's not using freshwater? Is she possibly mistaking top-offs for water changes and doing big water changes not using saltwater?

How much longer are you out of town?
 
PRC has some good ideas... Or topping off with saltwater instead of freshwater? Has she checked the salinity and told you what it is?
 
reading through this thread again, I'd bet dollars to donuts that's what's happening..that's why the corals are looking bad and won't open up..they are constantly being shocked by big differences in the salinity. That's all I can figure. Then again, I've got more donuts than dollars.
 
well we went over her mixing the saltwater on the phone the first time she did it so I don't think its that... I will double check tho..

She tested ammonia, nitrite, nitrate few days ago they were ok

there was a little ammonia and nitrite (assuming due to die off)... almost 0 nitrate.

ph was ~8.5 few days ago...

she text me that the temp was ok today. (shes sposed to be keeping an eye on it and knows the acceptable range)

gonna talk to her again tonight maybe I can get some other water tests out of her...
 
PRC said:
How much longer are you out of town?
Click to expand...


Till Thursday night... Since this all started shortly after I left I doubt I have much of a chance.... =( and its making me very sad...

My buddy who had a saltwater tank just moved out of town too so I can't call him for help =(

Whatever this is its like a perfect killshot to me happening right after I go out of town for the longest trip of the year... : /

I thought I had my tank in great shape when I left :*(
 

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