conniet

Hi
I have a 20 gallon salt tank, have had white specs floating in the water for a while now, did almost full water change 1 1/2 weeks ago new filters and all. the water tests are all good no ammonia, no nitrates etc but woke up to one dead clown yesterday morning and another little fella dead this morning with 1 more looking weak at the knees. Tank population was 4 small clowns and 1 blue damsel. The clowns appear to be breathing hard, open mouths, no evidence of white substance on their bodies. I had a LTA up until 2-3 weeks ago but removed him do to some disturbing behavior which I thought he was dying.........gave to BIL who has 55 gal. tank and he is doing fine there. Anyone can help ?? Can email me directly at sstenter@aol.com Thanks

fishrule101

Maybe the clowns fought each other. You do have to many clowns for a 20. How is your SG?

conniet

I had the water tested again this afternoon and everything is withing normal range........got home to find one more clown dead....now there is only 1 blue damsel and 1 clown. Have had the tank set up since April with 5 clowns and 1 damsel but the clowns are dying withing the last 2 days.

Tumbleweed

Have you made any recent changes to the tank? What are the numbers for the readings? What is the water temperature?

Shawnie

im sorry for your fishies dieing but cleaning EVERYTHING may have put it into a mini cycle...im no sw expert, but dont trust your LFS for telling you the water is good....im sure some sw experts will help alot but im thinking the full cleaning of the filter etc may have done more harm then good

conniet

Thank you Shawnie I think you may be right. I have had these small white particles floating for weeks now which even with the water change didn't go away, almost looks as if it is snowing in the tank?? They said at the LFS to make a water change about once a month ?? Is this normal. My BIL has a 55 gallon tank has had it set up about 8 months or more I don't think he has ever done a water change like I was advised to do. With the exception of his choco chip starfish eating things his fish do great

sgould

IMO, once a month is not often enough for a water change. I think at least every 2 weeks, but I actually prefer weekly. What kind of filtration are you running on the tank?

Tumbleweed

I do a weekly 10% water change in my tank. As for the snow you might have excess calcium in the tank which causes that problem. I would purchase a salt water and reef test kit so you can test teh water your self. Get the numbers for what your water actually is.