Crabs & Shrimp Deaths

[dacarlson]

I have in the last 5 months set up two 125 gal. reef tanks. Live sand substrate, 1.5# of live rock per gallon, protein skimmers, VHO and MH lighting. One tank is mainly fish and the other is more corals than fish. Everything I have added, fish, corals, clams, hermits, and snails are doing great. But, if I add any shrimp, emerald crabs, blue lobster within an hour they are dead. My water tests out good, zero nitrate, nitrite etc. Other than going with RO water what else can I try. Any ideas would be great.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

[Jawbone]

Based on what I have seen at the LFS... Whenever they get shrimp or the lobsters in they acclimate them extremely slowly, It appears as if they use a drip system to slowly drip the tanks water into the bag that they are contained. While floating the bag the entire time. Upwards of a few hours.

This is not from my personal exp. just what I witnessed the LFS doing.
Hope this helps

 

[Anonymous]

What kind of fish do you house? The fish(or other specimen) may be causing their death.

Do you use a ground probe?
Have you ever used copper? Have you tested for copper?

Just like snails,shrimps and crabs tend to prefer a slow acclimation.

 

[dacarlson]

Thanks for the suggestions. No I have not tested for copper. I would think that if there was a copper trace it would effect the corals, snails etc. Typical reef friendly fish. Tangs, clowns, algae blennies. I have not used a probe. Might be a possibility.

It sure ia a puzzle to me.......

Dave

 

[lawndoctor]

S.G. below 1.025 would do that. If your readings are in that range, you might want to check up on your testing method. HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Do you dose iodine/iodide?

They need iodine for good health. But if they are expiring that quickly,it is probably an acclimation issue.