180 tank catastrophe

Some of my fish have so far survived the "great plague of 2013" and are looking good, eating, and breathing better in the hospital tank. I had an outbreak of velvet... I pretty much had to take down my 180 ... Sad times .

I have been in this hobby a few years and prided myself on never having a major catastrophe. I also didn't believe in quarantining fish.

A newly added fish that turned out to be sick and a sudden drop in tank temp due to faulty equipment = great plague of 2013. No need to add that I will be quarantining any future additions.

I have a 180 sitting in my living room half full of water and coral+bryopsis. I understand why some people leave this hobby...after I have watched most everything cough and die. But I have plenty of fish that seem to be recovering well and I have a healthy 40 gallon with happy hosting clownfish that make me smile and have been the saving grace with me and this hobby.

I don't really know what to do now. I had an awful mess with bryopsis too before the plague hit. I was battling that with magnesium to no avail . So I basically need a tank reboot. I have a couple of questions and would appreciate advice to restart my 180. Thanks in advance, and Merry Xmas everyone!

1) is it necessary to replace the sand? I have heard that you can run tank fallow for a few months but is this really a reliable way to rid sand of parasites ? Ick, velvet, and goodness knows what other stuff is in there.

2) I have wrasse in the hospital tank and they seem to really hate it in there. I have some PVC pipes but they are used to sleeping in sand. Bad idea to add sand to hospital tank? I am treating with copper.

I will probably think of more later.

-Erin

 

That has got to be extremely frustrating.

1. Leaving the tank fallow will kill the parasites, they have to have fish to complete their life cycle. These parasites do not go into dormant stage that is an old wives tale.

2. You can add a small plastic container of sand to the QT for the wrasses.

Are you using Kent Tech Magnesium to battle Byropsis, other magnesium supplements will not work. What about a lettuces nudibranch?
Have you considered the use of a UV filter?
You'll have to QT everything moist that goes into that tank in the future, corals, rock.....

I sure hope it turns around for you Erin and good luck.

 

From one Texan to another, sorry of your woes.

Just do the accepted things for the clean up, and good luck.

I never researched velvet. I know that Ich will die off with a fallow period.
As far as the bryopsis, I too have heard what cheryl said about the type of Mag. to raise levels to fight bryopsis. I also know of some locals that had some coral die off from too high of Mag levels.

Hang in there, and Merry Christmas! / Happy Holidays

 

so sorry to hear of your catastrophe I think if you're in this hobby long enough, we all experience one although it's always so hard when involves loss of life. I'm glad to hear that your other tank is there to remind you of the beauty of this hobby and that you haven't given up on restarting the 180.

 

Thanks everyone. I will look forward to posting pics of the rebooted and healthier tank when I get it up and going again.

Where is a good place to get lettuce nudibraches?

 

Sorry to hear about the plague of thirteen. It always sucks to see someone having tank issues that they cant seem solve.

Bold added by me. Is that something you want in your tank? Personally, I wouldn't and for that very reason. No telling what's hiding in it. Best to start with a clean tank and not have to worry about it.

Sterilize the sand before you add it. The idea is to kill anything potentially living in it so that it can't get back into the DT at a later date. I actually saw someone boil sand once to kill critters but not how well it actually worked.

Good luck with it.

 

wow..so sorry to hear about your catastrophe. 2013 was a terrible tank year for me as well! Bryopsis is one heck of an algae, throw in some dinos and its a tank war. Finally, getting things back on track after some major livestock losses(most SPS, zoas, and a fish). Its very disheartening, but hang in there. as for your questions:

you dont need to replace the sand, but it couldnt hurt. if you are draining the tank already, why not add new sand. If not, no worries.

As for sand in the QT, just put a small container of sand in there for the wrasse, but be sure to discard it after, or save it for future QT purposes. Just dont add it back into the DT(obvious, i know, but felt like it should be mentioned.).