First try!

[johnfluevogs]

Hello all...as it will become very apparent, I am very new to this hobby and very excited about learning more. Although my "first try" didn't go over too smooth. I have a custom built tank that I built myself of 22 gallons. It measures 16"x16"x20"(deep). I currently have two 36w PC 50/50 bulbs and have plans of doubling that to make a total of 144watts of power compact light. I am useing a black marine sand that was designed for stingrays, with approx 20 lbs of live rock. Currently housing one Blue/Yellow Damsel and a Blk/Wht Stripped Damsel.

Two weeks ago (after the tank had been running for about a month) I added a torch. It seemed to strive, loved the light etc. I then (1 week ago) added 3 snails.

Starting yesterday, my coral was not acting as I had known it to act. It would stay "pulled in" for lack of better term. Today I am almost positive that the two largest of the three stems have pulled in to die. This I am not very excited about. Turns out 2 of the three snails were dead and had been "roting" in the tank the whole time.

Now I need help: on suggestions, advice, on testing and keeping such live aquaria.

I thank all in advance.

Jeff

 

[Len]

Hey Jeff,

Glad to have you here in our community and wanting to learn more

Although we could suspect the decaying snails may have something to do with the conditoin of the Torch, what I'm most worried about is the condition that caused the snails to die (which could possibly be the same problem with the Torch). There is nothing copper in and around the tank, is there? No additives or medications that contained copper?

It's unfortunately very hard to diagnose the exact problem, but it does sound like it's a water chemistry issue. It could be the Torch was doing fine until its cells assimiliated too much of a toxin, most likely some sort of heavy metal.

The best advice right now is to do a large water change with good quality water. Reverse osmosis water used to mix saltwater is the best solution. If you're using tapwater, that may be the culprit. Lighting is acceptable for Torches (though doubling it would definitely help).

 

[johnfluevogs]

Thanks Len for the reassuring advice. There is nothing of copper in the tank that I am aware of, as I have not added any medications of such. I am using tap water as you said could be the problem. I will have an RO system within the month but for now am conditioning the tap water and mixing the salt in a 10g tank with filter to circulate the water. Do you have any suggestion as far as doing my best with tap water until the RO system is avail. Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Tank conditions...listing your tank conditions here will also help diagnose the problem...another thing i noticed was the quickness you added the coral...month and a half after cycling? this could be a potential cause...spending a few bucks and investing at best DI water will help your situation if its a water issue...around 35-45 bucks you can get an aquarium pharmacueticals tap water filter ie Deionizer...this will definetly help with your problem until you invest in an RO unit...or you can purchase DI or RO water from you local walmart or grocery store .... my suggestion to piggy back with Lens on water, is to check your water parameters again to see how things are ... keep us posted

 

[johnfluevogs]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help.

Since I am not quite confident on my testing abilities I Had my water tested at a local shop. They told me that the condition of the water was adequate and that it was unlikely the reason for the torches death, also, the fact that I made a mistake by starting with a torch in the first place. You live and learn I suppose.

My question now is....

2 of the 3 stems of the torch are dead and the third one seems to be hanging in there. Do I leave it in the tank? Again there are only 2 damsels, 2 brittle stars and no other corals. What is the next step? Do I cycle the tank for a month and keep an eye on it? Followed by introducing some hardier corals (i.e. leathers or polyps)? I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks again.

p.s. I am going to try and test the water myself and I will post values for the various tests.

 

[johnfluevogs]

Good news.

One of the three stems of the Torch have seemed to survive to catastrophe and seem to be striving. I appreciate all the advice.

 

[ChrisRD]

IME they are fairly hardy corals, but they will "tell" you if something is up with your water.

If you give it good, stable water conditions it should recover in time.

 

[johnfluevogs]

New thoughts on the dieing coral.....

This may sound weird to everyone who knows what they are doing but, the tank that I am running I have built custom myself. I ran Freshwater for about 1.5 years and wanted an upgrade. I built the tank out of an Oakley Sunglass Display Case, by replacing the plexi with glass. Now for anyone who is familiar with Oakley sunglass display cases, There largly an aluminum structure. (I will need to post a picture if i figure out how to give everyone a better idea.

Long story short... I was told immediatly after my first post about the dieing coral that they cant be any metals in the tank and there arnt. Its just that the aluminum "hood" sits close to the tops surface of the water. Therefor water can splash up and touch the aluminum etc.

Does anyone think that this may be the culprit to my dieing coral, remember this is the first and only coral that I have owned and that a torch was the wrong place to start.

Thanks eveyone!

 

[keethrax]

Check out This article for information on the effects of aluminum. In general aluminum is probably not healthy. Not sure how much you'd be getting from that canopy into the tank though. Also don't knwo if there 's a test reasonably available to check yourself.

It looks really neat though!

Out of curiosuty, what's in the other tank we can see the edge of?

 

[johnfluevogs]

The idea is not to get any of the "canopy'' in the water or have the water touch the canopy. But as you can imagine this will be difficult. I spent time custom building the stand and i love the way everything has turned out. I would say I am only a quarter there, as I have plans of a "sump" and some other things but rather not poor money into a tank that will keep crashing. Thanks for the article I’m reading it now.

The tank on the side is a 10g with nothing in it. Currently I have it torn down. But I toyed with the thought of running a 10g reef instead but am scared that it will be difficult to stabilize and keep there. Thanks for everything.

 

[keethrax]

The idea is not to get any of the "canopy'' in the water or have the water touch the canopy. But as you can imagine this will be difficult. I spent time custom building the stand and i love the way everything has turned out. I would say I am only a quarter there, as I have plans of a "sump" and some other things but rather not poor money into a tank that will keep crashing. Thanks for the article I’m reading it now.

The tank on the side is a 10g with nothing in it. Currently I have it torn down. But I toyed with the thought of running a 10g reef instead but am scared that it will be difficult to stabilize and keep there. Thanks for everything.

Could you maybe paint the inside of the canopy to help prevent water contact?

The outside really shouldn't be a problem I imagine.

Should be a cheap fix for partial insurance against getting aluminum in the tank.

 

[johnfluevogs]

I am thinking about coating the inside with silicone, getting it covered well will take some effort but may work...

What do you think?

 

[ChrisRD]

I have no idea to what extent the aluminum hood could be causing a problem (if at all) but I would think painting it with some sort of marine paint would be a whole lot easier than the silicone thing.

You might try asking about this in the DIY or GRD forums for other feedback.