Something is wrong with fish

[jweisman54]

Six line wrasse isn't doing well and now neither is my blenny (gray with yellow top) looks like their breathing is labored. The water tested perfect on Friday.

Any thoughts?

Joyce

 

[Turbosnail]

How long has the tank been setup? Have you tested for ammonia today?

 

[RayD]

Count your blessings on the Six Line. Once they get big you'll hate him anyway. LOL!!

 

[jweisman54]

5 weeks and yes, slight ammonia upon just testing. I need to do a water change today but my ro system is not working. I have well water which is filtered throughout my house and may just have to use that.

Does anyone in the area have ro water other than driving all the way to Skiptons. I know Lovely does not.

 

[RayD]

How old is your setup? Stick with the RO water whatever it takes. Anything else may cause you more headaches.

 

[lisa foster]

5 weeks your tank is still cycling. Any ammonia is very bad for the fish. I would not add well water especially if you are haveing issues. I would go buy some pre mixed salt so you can do a water change right away. If you mix your own you have to wait many hours before you can add it.

 

[Turbosnail]

Isn't there a fish store in cobs corner in stoughton?

 

[Pat02026]

Yup, coolens pet supply; as of a month ago they had RO available and I am pretty sure you could get it mixed already as well. They are open today too, I was there this morning!

 

[RayD]

Hang with the water changes. 5 weeks is a bit early to be adding fish. Stay on your water testing over the next few days/weeks and try to resist the temptation to add any more fish until you feel totally comfortable that the tank has finished cycling.

Good luck!

 

[deb b]

Does anyone nearby have an established tank with room to house the fish for you..if not maybe the LFS will hold them until your tank is done cycling..the fish will thank you...

 

[jweisman54]

I went down to Water World in Chepachet, RI and Daniel did a thorough testing.....no ammonia, no nitrates, ph good, etc. Mg, and Ca very low. I will not be adding any fish or corals until this is stable. Daniel was great, checked out my RO system and made recommendations to add a DI to it. He as well as several other reefers in the store said NO water change right now. I do believe the fish to have Ich. I am not going to add chemicals natural or otherwise to the tank. I am feeding with garlic however.

 

[stingythingy45]

Garlic will do nothing except maybe act to help stimulate feeding.
The only way to cure ich is to treat in a hospital tank.
BTW,what is your alk?

 

[jweisman54]

alk is 7

wrasse died

 

[stingythingy45]

7 is a little low,if that's dkh.

 

[newenglandreef]

For water, most grocery stores sell distilled water--I used this all the time before getting RO. About $1 per gallon.

 

[frank180reef]

As I guess you know low mag or calc wont hurt the fish

 

[jweisman54]

but I need it for the corals right

 

[RayD]

You only need higher CA levels for certain corals (stonys). The key is to keep your ALK steady between 8 - 12. So if you can get it around 9 (NSW) and keep it there you'll do good. MG is also pretty important to keep steady.

The key to this whole thing is slow and steady.

 

[jweisman54]

So how does the Alk stay up around 9?

 

[Turbosnail]

That is why you cycle the tank so it gets established and the parameters become stable. I would wait longer before putting corals in the tank. The biggest thing to remember in this hobby is to take your time if you try to do things to fast you just end up with problems and things die.