Kole Tang died. High Nitrate the Reason?

[msmlb]

I purchased the Tang on Friday. Everything seemed fine, fish was grazing on algae in the tank. Turned lights on this morning, tang deceased. Tested the water:
P.H 8.0 (little low)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite : 0
Nitrate: between 40-80

So the high nitrate killed the fish?

 

[stingythingy45]

Why would you have such high nitrates?
When was your last water change?
How old is this tank?
Do you run a skimmer?

 

[msmlb]

Tank has been running for six months, water change is due (was planning on doing it today) and no skimmer (yet).

 

[stingythingy45]

Are you running a canister filter?
If so,that would explain the high nitrates.
They have a tendency to get filled up with detritus and then become nitrate factories.

 

[afboundguy]

How many other fish do you have in there? How long has it been cycled? What test kit are you using? Do you use RO/DI water?

Also if you put the tang in the 55 listed in your signature that also might be a huge reason. Having any tang in a 55 gallon would stress it out and lead to it's demise.

 

[msmlb]

basic filtering system: Marineland 400 and Aquaclear 70

 

[jtmac]

If you have a sump and need a skimmer I have one for sale for 65.00...

 

[JayM]

A tang can live in a 55...that isn't why it died.

The high nitrates definitely contributed. How do you have a 'reef' with 80PPM of nitrates? Corals won't last with those water conditions

 

[MikeG]

I don't think nitrates in the 40-80 range would kill the tang. There are tons of fish only tanks that have much higher nitrates on a constant basis with no ill effects to the fish.

The nitrates are most likely coming from your emperor 400 along with not having a skimmer and not keeping on top of your waterchanges. I would suggest getting rid of the Emperor and getting a quality skimmer as well as taking a look at your stocking list to see if it is appropriate for your tank and the way it is set up and maintained.

 

[lisa foster]

I too dont think the nitrates would kill it. I agree get a skimmer and do a large water change. Maybe 20% each every couple of days to get those nitrates down. What kind of test kits are you using? How many other fish are in this tank?

 

[msmlb]

Four clowns, one damsel, a jawfish, and two gobies. API Salwater Master Test Kit.

 

[MikeG]

Might be worth seeing who is in your area and see if you can take a look at their system and talk about how things are set up and why they use what they use.

 

[newenglandreef]

Really sorry for your loss-- did you examine the fish at all when you pulled him from the tank?