Corals Went Down One After the Other

[demodiki]

So...I have a 55 that had 4 different zoo colonies and one ricordia. On a lark (uh oh) I bought a torch. I put the torch in the tank and after about a week I noticed two heads developed brown jelly disease.

I fragged those two heads off (they went REAL bad REAL quick). A couple of days after that I developed the worst case of diatoms and cyano. I have had diatoms before and tore through them pretty easily. I never had cyano.

I immediately started doing 10-15% water changes every few days. I cleaned all of my equipment, changed carbon weekly, etc.

At this time amm=0, nitrite=0, nitrates=0, ph 8.2 and sg 1.023.
I don't test for phosphates, ca or alk.

So...long story short...my little zoo colonies all closed up and my shrooms stopped opening. I long ago got rid of the torch. I tried dipping all of my guys in iodine. Everything is dying (dead). I am just not too sure why.

I use distilled water. I mix and aerate my water for at least 24 hours. The two fish and assorted snails and crabs have all remained unaffected (so far). Any ideas? I shudder at the thought of putting anyting else in my tank for fear of this happening again.

[aquadoc]

sound like you got some type of an organism that is haveing a buffet at your corals exspense.
I would increase the actual iodine levels in the tank as well. They usualy do not like high iodine levels.
When ever I dip my corals I also add Tech-I to the tank as well to help out with any stress.
Plus it helps prevent bleaching, assist most corals with growth, etc.

When you dipped your corals did you have a cleaning bucket that you can wash your corals in before putting them back in your tank. Usualy I do this and you will see even more stuff come off too.

[demodiki]

No, I did not have a cleaning bucket...I placed them in them in the bucket with the iodine and left the in for 20 minutes. I shook them out left and right to get anything off (I never actually saw anything) and then placed them back in the tank.

I am down to the ric and one small colony of zoos but nothing has opened up yet. I think I will probably have to dump them in the morning.

[aquadoc]

Sounds like you kept them in the iodine dip to long. I usualy keep mine in for approx, 7 minutes.
Try this next time, see if it changes anything.

[demodiki]

Mysterious fish death #1....this is getting very frustrating. I woke up this morning to my clean up crew eating our coral beauty. I am down to one fish, one shrimp and some smails/crabs. How can things go so wrong so fast?

All parameters are still fine. What disease can take out my corals and my fish?

[NaCl_H2O]

I have known others to dip stuff for ~20 mins without problems, but that could have contributed? Also, as the zoos died, they would have released toxins that could now be effecting the fish. Water changes are the right approach. Also, if you are not already, start running a big bag of charcoal!

Could anyone (small child maybe) have put anything in the tank?

[demodiki]

I have a 7year old but I don't think she would have put anything in there. She's not very mischevious and she really takes a hand in the fish's care.

I really thought by getting rid of the corals I had stopped whatever it was that ravaged the tank. I guess I am going to have to just ride it out and see what happens.

[GaryP]

Someone jump in here and correct me if I am wrong but I believe Tech I is primarily a potassium iodide solution. It is primarily intended as an iodine supplement, not as a dip product.

Lugols, on the other hand, is a mixture of iodide and iodine. Its antibacterial and anti-parasite properties are similar to that of mercurochrome our Mom's used on us as kids. Iodine is the actual form that you need to kill the bad stuff when doing a dip. It is a strong oxidizer along the same lines as chlorine.

[NaCl_H2O]

Gary, I think you have it right! I "Dip" using SeaChem Reef Dip (Similar to Lugols) mixed into some saltwater from the tank. I know some suggest using regular RO/DI water for the dip, but I haven't gone that route yet.

Also, I quit dosing Iodine (Tech I) in my tank loooong ago since I don't want to test for Iodine levels - I believe regular water changes is all you need to maintain Iodine & other trace elements!

[NaCl_H2O]

demodiki - are you running any charcoal?

[demodiki]

Yes, I am running charcoal. Since this whole thing started I have been running and replacing weekly. I am looking at my last little guy hide in the rockwork. I think my wife is figuring if he goes it will be time to break things down :(

[TruonkQ]

sounds like your doing too much water changes. How long has tank been stabalized? Did you remove any filter media?

[aquadoc]

I did not mean dip with tech-I, I ment dip with tech-d, add tech-i directly to the tank. As it reads on the bottles.

[demodiki]

The tank has been stabilized for about 6 months I think. As far as filter media...at some point I had added a sponge to help with particle removal, the charcoal of course....I don't think there was anything else.

Water changes: I was following Gary's "the solution to pollution is dilution"mantra.

[aquadoc]

If you test the levels of iodine in the new salt mix it will not be where you need it.
If this was the case with doing water changes you would not have to add calcium, strontium, etc either.
But, you do, because most salts are inconsistant.
That is why they make chemicals, so you can increase to the level of your desire.
Not trying to start anything, so no one feel attacked, just putting in my two cents.

[demodiki]

Bob Fenner says it was the chemical warfare between the 4 zoos and the torch.

[NaCl_H2O]

Bob Fenner says it was the chemical warfare between the 4 zoos and the torch.
<_< :unsure <_< :unsure

[Tim Marvin]

If Bob said it, it must be so... Who is Bob? ;)

[aquadoc]

What about Bob??

[aquadoc]

lol
:lol

[demodiki]

LOL Robert Fenner from wetwebmedia...he wrote the Conscientious Marine Aquarist :)