Hermit Crab and Turbo Snails Dead!! What Happened?

This all started about a week ago. I have had my hermit crab for a while, he is about 2 inches in length. He is in a FOWLR tank with my volitan lionfish, purple tang, and marine betta. He normally runs all over the tank eating everything, but a week ago he just stopped moving and never came out of his shell unless I moved it somehow, then he would pop out to see what happened.

Two days after I first noticed this behavior I bought 3 turbo snails and they died within 12 hours of introducing them to my tank. After that I took my water down to the lfs to have it testing and everything came back ok.

Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 10, Alkalinity - 4.0, S.G. - 1.023.

The lfs recommended a grounding probe because my crab might be suffering from electric shock or something so I have that in there now, but this morning I woke up to find the crab dead and his body 2 inches away from his shell.

I am really bummed about this because he was so cool. I feel like I could have done more, but I couldnt get anyone to respond to my postings on reefcentral and two lfs's that I spoke with acted like they really didnt know what they were doing when it came to giving me suggestions for aiding him, so I was lost at where I could help.

So after all of that, I have come to this board to ask if anyone has any ideas as to what might have happened. I want to get a new crab, but I dont want to just kill him with ignorance because I didnt fix the original problem. Thanks in advance.

 

I think the grounding probe was a good idea. I am not sure if a stray voltage problem would be something that causes problems slowly or overnight. Either way it was a good investment. I am not an invert expert but there are some very knowledgeable people her that will chime in just give them some time.

btw Welcome to 3reef

Jim

 

Thanks for the welcome.

I have been browsing over all of the features of this site for the past 30 min and I really like it. It was put together quite nicely and I can tell just by reading other postings that the people on here are really cool too. You will definately see me on here more.

I knew that the grounding probe was a good investment. I had it on my list anyways, I'm just sorry to say that it took something dying to get me to go out and buy it.

Another question I had that I thought may be a cause is that my alkalinity was at 4.0. Does this concern anyone because the lfs told me it should be around 2.9 and they gave me bottled calcium to lower it. I havent dosed that yet because I wanted some second opinions.

 

Alkalinity in a reef tank can be as high as 5 meq/l with little to no problems. I try to keep mine around 4 meq/l. Natural saltwater is around 3 meq/l. I try to keep mine higher for good sps growth. I wouldn't add the calcium until you tested and knew what it was. Normally the calcium is part of a two part additive with an alkalinity supplement. When they are both in the right range you add in equal parts to keep them in balance. But, I don't think thats what your problem is.

Jim

 

I always say the same thing when inverts die - anyone notice that yet? One more thing I'd check is copper... did it somehow get introduced? Is this a new tank? If so where did it come from? If not: did you treat for ich or anything lately? Perhaps a good copper test if any of this rings a bell. Have you checked your iodine levels? It is a touchy subject as most people feel adding iodine is a huge no no, but I thought I'd cover all the bases. Could also be something in yer sand... do you have abnormal amounts of "bubbles" in your sand? Just a whole bunch of guesses for ya. Hope this helps.
mv

 

This is another thought that I have been tossing around. I bought this tank used and it was already up and running. I got everything: tank,stand,filter,crushed coral, fish, decorations, meds, treatment chemicals, etc. One of the "meds" that I got with this tank is a chemical called coppersafe which I have read is bad for corals and inverts. I also remember the previous owner telling me that he dosed it just once a month to prevent something, but I have never used it. Could this be it? I have had him for about 6 weeks now though and the past week is when he just went down hill.

**EDIT**
I guess I should also add that I have had this tank up and running in my possesion for 4 months.

 

Coppersafe is not reef safe (meaning not good for corals and inverts). That might be your problem right there.

Marc.

 

But does that mean I will never be able to use this tank for inverts or corals, or is there something I can do to get rid of it?

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/copper-used-future-fuge-34632.html?highlight=copper leach
I did some searching and found this. I also remember reading about this in some other older threads. Raven is still an active member.

Jim

 

CupriSorb
Here is the Seachem site link.
I don't know how expensive the copper tests are but they have a link to one on the same page.

J