No question here, just a note to show how easy it is to kill your fish, even if you've been at the hobby awhile. For some background, I must say I have been away from home for 7 months now due to an illness and have left someone else in charge of my tanks, except for monthly visits to do a water changes. This week, I went home to do some maintenance on the tank, including a water change.
I have been at this hobby about 6-7 years and thought I had the basics pretty well squared away. I've had a Sailfin Tang in my large tank for about 3 years and she was beautiful. Over the past months, I've lost some corals and a goby, but overall, things have gone fairly well in my absence.
My time was limited, so I was hurrying to get everything done at home that needed my attention. I made up my water for the water change, but instead of letting it sit overnight (at least), I was pushed to get the water change done in only a few hours. I made sure the salt was well dissolved and that all the parameters were correct...except for temperature. I don't know what I was thinking. Evidently, the water was too cool. I ALWAYS check for this, but it somehow slipped by me--very basic issue
I did quite a bit of cleaning, siphoned out the old water, put in the new.
The Sailfin Tang acted very sluggish. I thought I must have stirred up too much debris and she was unhappy. Within 30 minutes, she was dead...she swam irradically for several minutes, then nose dived into the rock and died there almost immediately. I have to assume she was in shock.
I've submitted this topic for those who are either beginners, or are experienced enough that they might take something for granted. How many water changes have I done over the years? Enough to know better.
My husband is terminally ill with lung cancer and his doctors are here, away from home, so again, my tank is in the hands of someone else...I just wanted to share what can happen when you hurry things up and think you know enough to "get by". Very small mistakes can kill. Thanks everyone for listening.
I have been at this hobby about 6-7 years and thought I had the basics pretty well squared away. I've had a Sailfin Tang in my large tank for about 3 years and she was beautiful. Over the past months, I've lost some corals and a goby, but overall, things have gone fairly well in my absence.
My time was limited, so I was hurrying to get everything done at home that needed my attention. I made up my water for the water change, but instead of letting it sit overnight (at least), I was pushed to get the water change done in only a few hours. I made sure the salt was well dissolved and that all the parameters were correct...except for temperature. I don't know what I was thinking. Evidently, the water was too cool. I ALWAYS check for this, but it somehow slipped by me--very basic issue
The Sailfin Tang acted very sluggish. I thought I must have stirred up too much debris and she was unhappy. Within 30 minutes, she was dead...she swam irradically for several minutes, then nose dived into the rock and died there almost immediately. I have to assume she was in shock.
I've submitted this topic for those who are either beginners, or are experienced enough that they might take something for granted. How many water changes have I done over the years? Enough to know better.
My husband is terminally ill with lung cancer and his doctors are here, away from home, so again, my tank is in the hands of someone else...I just wanted to share what can happen when you hurry things up and think you know enough to "get by". Very small mistakes can kill. Thanks everyone for listening.
