Greetings...this experienced reefer needs some fresh ideas. My newly set-up 400 gallon reef tank has some serious issues that i dont know how to address. Mysteriously all my snails (cleaning crew) die within hours of introduction while my fish, crustacean, some inverts live on. I havent introduced much inverts yet because of this problem, but the ones i have transferred from my other 150 gallon, a brain coral and toadstool leather frag seem to be doing quite well. Furthermore, my 50 gallon refugium below has calerpa growing along with small feather dusters littered all over the live rock. The fishes seem to be thriving with the abundant space, these are P. Asfur, Queen Angel, Clown Tang, Vlamingi Tang, True Percula pair, Maldives Clown pair, Potter's Angel, 3 Scarlet Cleaner shrimp, small shoal of Green Chromis', and a small shoal of Highfin Cardinals. A newly introduced Maxima is surviving for all i know. What toxic conditions would be there to allow present company to survive, but kill Queen Conch, Margarita, Astrea, and Bumblebee snails almost instantly? Even the dreaded C. Retrogemma (Red Flatworms) that has infested my 150 gallon cant seem to survive on the live rock transferred over.
Ok, now for my misteps that might be factors. My initial water was straight from the garden hose....but all my changes and top off water use RO. I cured my uncured live rock in the display tank for 6 weeks. Some knockoff salt brand called "Nautilus" was assured by my salesman would contain the same stuff as "Instant Ocean." I have since switched to "Tropic Marin." Other potential toxic origins might be from silicon gell both white and clear from Home depot used to seal PVC piping (Although i have used them successfully in the past), and the Rubbermaid tubs i use as a refugim and sump. I use UV filtering, a calcium reactor with regular Kent Iodine, Magnesium, Strontium doses. Lighting is 4X175 12K with 2x250 watt 10K Ushio.
Thank you for taking your time to read about my plight. I have never encoutered this situation before and would appreciate any ideas. This tank will eventually be SPS dominated, but i am in no hurry.
Sincerely,
D.
Ok, now for my misteps that might be factors. My initial water was straight from the garden hose....but all my changes and top off water use RO. I cured my uncured live rock in the display tank for 6 weeks. Some knockoff salt brand called "Nautilus" was assured by my salesman would contain the same stuff as "Instant Ocean." I have since switched to "Tropic Marin." Other potential toxic origins might be from silicon gell both white and clear from Home depot used to seal PVC piping (Although i have used them successfully in the past), and the Rubbermaid tubs i use as a refugim and sump. I use UV filtering, a calcium reactor with regular Kent Iodine, Magnesium, Strontium doses. Lighting is 4X175 12K with 2x250 watt 10K Ushio.
Thank you for taking your time to read about my plight. I have never encoutered this situation before and would appreciate any ideas. This tank will eventually be SPS dominated, but i am in no hurry.
Sincerely,
D.
