Rebecca's Simple Garden Reef

[BluewaterBoof]

Good to hear the good news. Not so good about the bad news, obviously :(

After my own issue with chemicals in my tank (when I accidentally used inappropriate silicone for my original sump build) I had similar problems as you are having. My firefish started behaving odd, skittish and never really coming out like it used to and then coming home to it dead, certain corals closed up and never fully opening... That you lost a fairly hardy fish, feather duster is always hiding now and one of your mushrooms is also hiding...all of those happening together seems to suggest that something is wrong with the tank. Could be toxins being released from corals, cleaning/air freshener chemicals entering the tank somehow, a crashed cycle and resulting spike in ammonia or nitrates, faulty heater either not regulating temperature or even delivering an electric shot to the tank... Speaking from my own experience when things started to go weird like that, I strongly suggest NOT to take the wait and watch approach. I say that because I waited it out thinking some of my animals were just unhappy and I ended up losing more than I would have had I acted more quickly.

I would check all your equipment and perform some large water changes. I know it's not fun to do large water changes with saltwater because you need to mix it all up ahead of time, but if there are toxins/chemicals in the tank that are making your animals sick you need to do big changes in order to reduce pollutants by any meaningful level.

[RiversGirl]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Boundava]

Oh my, I am also sorry to read about your loss, and problems. Hoe you are able to find out whats going on. Sounds like Andre has a good suggestion with doing a large WC, or multiple WC to see if there is a pollutant affecting the tank.

[Slaphppy7]

Sorry to hear this, Rebecca

[showmebutterfly]

Thank you everyone. The mushroom coral that had been drawn up was more open last night. All the other corals and fish looked good. Two of the heads on my green candy cane coral are in the process of splitting. That coral is usually my 'canary in the coalmine', so I keep a close eye on it. I did notice that the tank temperature was reading slightly over 82. I added some ice bottles last night and unplugged both the heaters this morning as an added precaution.
We have to take out the dishwasher, a couple base cabinets and cut off part of the countertop tonight. I'm hoping that won't take too long so that I can get some water mixed up for a WC. Construction is almost to the point where they're ready to cut a hole through the wall for our doorway to the addition. I'm both looking forward to and dreading that part. Once the opening is cut, I'll have more worries about the fish and corals with dust and whatnot getting stirred up as the construction moves into the main living area. We've also got to move my clawfoot tub out of the basement bathroom, since it's going in the new master bath. I am seriously considering setting up the 20g tank and moving my fish and corals into it for the duration of the remodel. The basement will stay cooler, even with workers coming in and out of the house. If we can keep that area as a worker free safe zone, I could worry less. But since there's a toilet in there and they will be doing electrical and plumbing work in the basement, I don't know that there are any safe zones in the house.
I'm sorry for rambling y'all. Too much life going on here with family members having procedures, crazy time at work for my husband (gearing up for move-in weekend at the university), house construction picking up, slowing down, picking up. Bleh.

[Boundava]

No issues with rambling, you have some good concerns and need to vent them. Sounds like you have a good plan, just keep the tanks covered with a towel and painters plastic while they are working-you can remove the plastic when they leave. The drywall dust goes everywhere and is very hard to get cleaned up afterwards.

I am excited for your remodel, you have a lot going on.

[RiversGirl]

Agree ^
Please don't fret about rambling in your journal -- That's yours to use as you see fit! Seems to me that you are using your journal most appropriately. Thinking over your tank concerns, mentally going through ideas that would solve issues for your tank. It is nice too, that you are sharing your thoughts and ideas with others, who can then learn from your experiences for their own tanks.

When I'm really stressed, I tend to chat to myself 'just follow the plan, just follow the plan' and when I come out the other side of things, I generally think 'That wasn't so bad'

I wish you well during this stressful time, offer you a friendly reminder too: don't forget to take care of you. Do something nice for you. I like to say it "Gift your future self" and it can be something little that you do that really proves helpful for you tomorrow.

[showmebutterfly]

Thank you, ladies.
I'm hoping the interior work will go quickly. I'm sure there will be a few setbacks, but it will be worth it when it's all done. I think a friend and I will be going to Kansas City soon - Cheesecake Factory, IKEA and Trader Joe's. I told my husband to get ready to hand over his wallet. Momma needs some retail therapy. lol

No issues with rambling, you have some good concerns and need to vent them. Sounds like you have a good plan, just keep the tanks covered with a towel and painters plastic while they are working-you can remove the plastic when they leave. The drywall dust goes everywhere and is very hard to get cleaned up afterwards.

I am excited for your remodel, you have a lot going on.

Agree ^
Please don't fret about rambling in your journal -- That's yours to use as you see fit! Seems to me that you are using your journal most appropriately. Thinking over your tank concerns, mentally going through ideas that would solve issues for your tank. It is nice too, that you are sharing your thoughts and ideas with others, who can then learn from your experiences for their own tanks.

When I'm really stressed, I tend to chat to myself 'just follow the plan, just follow the plan' and when I come out the other side of things, I generally think 'That wasn't so bad'

I wish you well during this stressful time, offer you a friendly reminder too: don't forget to take care of you. Do something nice for you. I like to say it "Gift your future self" and it can be something little that you do that really proves helpful for you tomorrow.

[Boundava]

T I think a friend and I will be going to Kansas City soon - Cheesecake Factory, IKEA and Trader Joe's. I told my husband to get ready to hand over his wallet. Momma needs some retail therapy. lol

That sounds like a perfect way to gift yourself! Just don't get lost in IKEA ( I always do-there is just so much to see!) I am lucky there are Trader Joe's all around here, I have two I can shop at depending on how I go home Fridays. I have never been in a Cheescake Factory...though we have a few around.

[showmebutterfly]

I'm ok with getting lost in IKEA. lol We'll go there after lunch so we can walk off our cheesecake. The food is average at The Cheesecake Factory, but the cheesecakes are worth the visit. Their slices are huge, so you could definitely share with a friend (or sibling) if you wanted. The Trader Joe's in Kansas City is the closest one to me, but worth the 3 hour drive to stock up on some of their frozen items that I can't get anywhere else.

That sounds like a perfect way to gift yourself! Just don't get lost in IKEA ( I always do-there is just so much to see!) I am lucky there are Trader Joe's all around here, I have two I can shop at depending on how I go home Fridays. I have never been in a Cheescake Factory...though we have a few around.