Feeling defeated with continuous loss…

[W31Olds]

Does not make sense to me as the other fish are fine.

Just because your other Fish appear to be fine does not mean that there is not some pathogen in your Tank. Un-Quarantined new additions are often stressed and somewhat weak so can be more susceptible to diseases. You also have a smallish tank and that can lead to issues from Water Quality to aggression.
@Jay Hemdal

 

[ScottJ]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

I just looked thru all your posts and it seems you have had your share of problems! I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences.

You have been given a lot of different opinions on what the cure could be, but you haven't really given that much information on the two tanks, the 10 and 32 gallon.

If you could break down exactly what livestock is in each tank now, and the parameters of each (in numbers) and white light, full tank photos of each. Also, what fish have you lost in which tank when and what else was in there at the time.

That would help the really smart people give better better answers.

 

[allenk4]

Mild drop in salinity is fine, yes, but raising salinity must be done slowly, which is what's happening if you bring fish from a store that keeps it in lower salinity, and your tank is much higher.

OP stated his drip acclimation was 45 minutes. Shouldn’t that be long enough to go from 2.019 to 1.025 ?

I know Marine Collectors, for one, advises against longer drip acclimation times. But, Elliott keeps his systems at 1.025, so his advice might change if the salinity was a lot lower.

 

[christinna77]

Mild drop in salinity is fine, yes, but raising salinity must be done slowly, which is what's happening if you bring fish from a store that keeps it in lower salinity, and your tank is much higher.

OP stated his drip acclimation was 45 minutes. Shouldn’t that be long enough to go from 2.019 to 1.025 ?

I know Marine Collectors, for one, advises against longer drip acclimation times. But, Elliott keeps his systems at 1.025, so his advice might change if the salinity was a lot lower.

That really depends on the bag water salinity and how fast it was dripping.

You shouldn't drip acclimate shipped fish because of potential ammonia rise once the bag is opened. Instead, you match the salinity in a separate bucket or QT without opening the bag, drop the fish straight in after temp matching, and then drip acclimate to DT.

We'd really need much more information to figure out what might have gone wrong though.

 

[me & my baby]

Sorry for your loses . I agree with other posters your drip isn’t the problem . There are several things that can be causing your loses . Could be how the fish is collected , transported how long they went without eating . You could have a pathogen in your tank . There are a lot of different reasons your fish could be dying . Set up a small tank even if it’s just for observation, watch how the fish is acting make sure it’s eating . You got to think that fish has been in transport sometime hours and sometimes day . The food we feed are fish is not what they are used to eating unless it’s captive breed .

 

[Reef Wizard Steven]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

When drip acclimating, time frame is less important than equalizing the fish to the salinity of your tank. You want the water in the acclimation container to be the same salinity before you drop your fish into that tank. So if you get a fish that's been in 1.022 water, and your water is at 1.026, you will want to make sure your acclimation gets the container water to 1.026.

Losing fish or corals is always hard! Have you seen any sort of problems with the fish before they die on you? Any noticeable symptoms that differ from how you saw them in the store, or when you first got them?

So sorry to hear about your loss, keep at it, and you will eventually get it figured out! Reefing is slow, and there are a million problems with a million solutions. Don't give up!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

OP stated his drip acclimation was 45 minutes. Shouldn’t that be long enough to go from 2.019 to 1.025 ?

I know Marine Collectors, for one, advises against longer drip acclimation times. But, Elliott keeps his systems at 1.025, so his advice might change if the salinity was a lot lower.

Fish handle drops in salinity pretty well, but not rises. 1.019 to 1.025 is farther than I would take with a single acclimation process. I would bring the tank down to around 1.022 and acclimate the fish over and then bring the tank back up. Of course, you can't do that if the DT already has fish in it and especially not if it has invertebrates.
A good quarantine process gives you a tank to do that with.

If the OP is interested:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/

 

[PharmrJohn]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

Not sure if it was mentioned, but how are the appetites of the fish you are introducing at the beginning compared to the end?

So strange fish can withstand a lot . Is there a bully in the Tank ? Its the only thing I can think of for such quick deaths you don't mention odd behavior at all . Try sneaking up on the tank at night and just listen for odd noises . I was sitting at my Computor once which is 10 feet away from my tank . Heard this load splashing . Since I had lids I was not too concerned also it was early and dark . When it got light my diamond Goby was on the floor. It is a bottom fish and my vicious Tang still chased it out.I have also seen fish butting others to death right in front of me . I introduced it to John

And this is not fair (the John part). Many people have names that mean stuff like 'Lovely Meadow' or 'Gentle Breeze'. Mine means 'Toilet' or 'Customer of Prostitute'!!!!

 

[Freenow54]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but how are the appetites of the fish you are introducing at the beginning compared to the end?


And this is not fair (the John part). Many people have names that mean stuff like 'Lovely Meadow' or 'Gentle Breeze'. Mine means 'Toilet' or 'Customer of Prostitute'!!!!

Yes I flushed it

 

[allenk4]

Fish handle drops in salinity pretty well, but not rises. 1.019 to 1.025 is farther than I would take with a single acclimation process. I would bring the tank down to around 1.022 and acclimate the fish over and then bring the tank back up. Of course, you can't do that if the DT already has fish in it and especially not if it has invertebrates.
A good quarantine process gives you a tank to do that with.

If the OP is interested:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/

Great advice. Thanks for the links.

Go you find that many LFS or online sources for Fish are shipping at drastically lower Salinity?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Great advice. Thanks for the links.

Go you find that many LFS or online sources for Fish are shipping at drastically lower Salinity?

It is hit or miss. I find that the better online and LFS know of this issue and will either warn you about it, or will keep their fish in higher salinity.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

Sorry to hear. Are you getting your fish from the same source or different sources?
When acclimating them , are you matching salinity, temperature and ph in the process? 45-60 mins is plenty of time.
You mentioned a couple of tanks.... is one of them medicated?

 

[jonsreef2reef]

First off — losing fish you're clearly trying to care for is rough, and the fact you feel it this much says you're not the careless type, so go easy on yourself. For what it's worth, new fish dying in week one while your established fish do fine usually points away from something you're doing wrong.

A couple things I've read that might be worth a look. One is that a really long drip might actually backfire — I've seen people say the bag's pH creeps up as you add tank water and turns the ammonia in there more toxic, so shorter and just matching temp and salinity could be safer than dripping for an hour. The other, and maybe the bigger one, is source and quarantine — six-lines are usually pretty tough, so it might be more about them arriving stressed than anything on your end. A simple quarantine tank to let them settle before the display seems to be the thing that helps most people with this. Could just be bad luck too, but might be worth trying.

 

[pjfish77]

I just looked thru all your posts and it seems you have had your share of problems! I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences.

You have been given a lot of different opinions on what the cure could be, but you haven't really given that much information on the two tanks, the 10 and 32 gallon.

If you could break down exactly what livestock is in each tank now, and the parameters of each (in numbers) and white light, full tank photos of each. Also, what fish have you lost in which tank when and what else was in there at the time.

That would help the really smart people give better better answers.

Hi! For sure! I’m planning on doing a complete run of all the things I test for and providing that info to you guys tomorrow. I’ve been out of town briefly (yay college stuff ) so I just haven’t had the chance to.

 

[pjfish77]

Sorry to hear. Are you getting your fish from the same source or different sources?
When acclimating them , are you matching salinity, temperature and ph in the process? 45-60 mins is plenty of time.
You mentioned a couple of tanks.... is one of them medicated?

The fish are coming from a chain, which yeah, I know, and an LFS. In all honesty I have no idea of their original origins but I would get into the habit of asking to trace those back if yall think that’s a smarter way to go about it!

 

[pjfish77]

your tanks are very small and there for
More prone to parameter swings. I’m curious , How consistent are your temps. Is the tank in a ac control room or anything like that to stabilize it or are you relying on ambient air temps. Here in tri state this last month for example we have had some crazy temps swings over the course of day. Like 30-40 degree.

You might be onto something! I’m in New England so temp fluctuations are the norm. However, the 10 gallon where this recent death occurred is in my bedroom which I normally keep around 65-69 degrees while home, but I turn the AC off when I’m gone to save energy which creates fluctuations in room temp throughout the day. Obviously I have a heater in the tank and check the thermometer to ensure it is in the “green zone” regularly. That being said, I’m now wondering more if/how my personal temp regulation actually impacts the tank.

 

[pjfish77]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

*Tank Parameters as of this evening*
These are pretty standard for the systems I run, photos are attached as well. The larger is going through a slight ugly phase as of recently… New fish haven’t been added since this started.

10g (YWM Goby, >5 Hermits, 2 Snails)
pH: 8
dKH: 7
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Phosphate: 0 ppm
Specific Gravity: 1.026

32g (2 Clowns, 1 YT Damsel, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, 5-10 Hermits, 3 Large Snails)
pH: 8.2-8.4
dKH: 8
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0-5 ppm
Phosphate: 0.25 ppm
Specific Gravity: 1.025

 

[Tangdora]

You might be onto something! I’m in New England so temp fluctuations are the norm. However, the 10 gallon where this recent death occurred is in my bedroom which I normally keep around 65-69 degrees while home, but I turn the AC off when I’m gone to save energy which creates fluctuations in room temp throughout the day. Obviously I have a heater in the tank and check the thermometer to ensure it is in the “green zone” regularly. That being said, I’m now wondering more if/how my personal temp regulation actually impacts the tank.

When away the temp will typically rise to whatever the room temp reaches plus a few degrees given additional heat off electrical components. MAy want to consider a eco mode set between 78-82 or whatever your max tank temp desire is, instead of completely turning the unit off.