Where did I go wrong in this QT?

[pwreef]

Set up a QT on Sunday:
13 gallon tank (open top rimless), HOB filter with new Chemipure, LR from DT, Light, Heater, PVC couplings for hiding
5 gal from DT rest new RODI/saltmix aged 12 hours
Bought 1 firefish and 1 medium Hippo Tang from LFS
Acclimated using cup method then netted them in there from the bags.
First few hours both fish were fine. Overnight stayed each in its own PVC elbow. LFS guy said the tang will act weird. He did but seemed better afterwards.
Last night ~24 hours after coming from LFS I decided that it probably needs an airstone. Got the airstone and pump put in. Firefish starts acting weird even before I put it in. He was upside down. Then over the course of a few hours he was all weird breathing heavily, upside down then swimming erratically, then shot under one of the rocks and I think that was his end. This morning got him out.:sad2:
Where did I go wrong here? Airstone too late? Not doing the drip method? Or was he just a sick fish to begin with? Are these tank bred? Could he have been poisoned with cyanide? Any suggestions on making sure the tang lives?
Water test results: Salinity 1.021, PH 7.8, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5. Temp 74-78.
Many thanks.

[jeff@zina.com]

Drastic change in salinity form LFS to your tank?

Jeff

[MrTuskfish]

Jeffs SG suggestion is possible.
I really have no clue. But, because both fish are in bad shape, it has to be something involving the LFS or your QT. It almost sounds like some sort of toxin got in. The only thing I can suggest at this time would be a large water change. If your DT is healthy and you don't have water made up, use DT water.Just a couple of comments: why the airstone? They really don't do much other than disturb the surface to aid air exchange; but the HOB should do that. Very few fish are tank bred, no tangs are; that I know of. IMO, LR is not a good idea in QT, it absorbs meds. Here's a copy of how I cycle a QT:

"In regards to Qt cycling; I've done this for years. Get a HOB filter; I really like Aqua-Clear, they have a big sponge and last forever. Don't use the carbon or ceramic noodles that come with the filter. Also, have some extra sponges on hand, they're cheap. Keep a sponge in the flow somewhere in your DT. When you need a QT or HT, just use the sponge that has been in your main system in your QT filter---the QT will be instantly cycled. When done, toss the sponge and keep a new one ready in your main system.
BTW, Cupramine copper, used in a QT,will not destroy a bio-filter."

[pwreef]

I did not measure their water. Got a refractometer on the way. Been using the box float since I started. These two fish came from separate tanks/systems at the LFS, so hopefully the tang will do better.

[pwreef]

Thanks MrTuskfish. I was actually wondering if the firefish are tank bred. The tang seems to be doing okay for now. I think I should wait and see. Will make lots of water tonight just in case. I put the live rock thinking that I need some kind of biofilter since I did not have the sponge prepared ahead of time. I am guessing that with the chemipure I should be okay so will probably remove the LR tonight. I thought the air exchange at the surface is not enough for such a small tank without skimmer. That is why I bought the airstone. I figured it would not hurt anything if there was more dissolved oxygen. Thanks again for your advice.

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks MrTuskfish. I was actually wondering if the firefish are tank bred. The tang seems to be doing okay for now. I think I should wait and see. Will make lots of water tonight just in case. I put the live rock thinking that I need some kind of biofilter since I did not have the sponge prepared ahead of time. I am guessing that with the chemipure I should be okay so will probably remove the LR tonight. I thought the air exchange at the surface is not enough for such a small tank without skimmer. That is why I bought the airstone. I figured it would not hurt anything if there was more dissolved oxygen. Thanks again for your advice.

I know very little about small fish, but have never seen tank-bred firefish on the market. I could be wrong. I get your point on the airstone & LR. I'd leave them both in for now. If some parasite/disease is involved; returning the LR to your DT will infest your DT as well. Never put anything (even a net) from your QT into your DT until the QT time has run its course.

[pwreef]

Okay so 10 days later the tang is still alive and doing semi-well I guess considering he has ICH. Lowering the salinity now...

[huggybear1000]

Okay so 10 days later the tang is still alive and doing semi-well I guess considering he has ICH. Lowering the salinity now...

how are you going to treat it for the ich?

[pwreef]

how are you going to treat it for the ich?
Hyposalinity
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php

[lagatbezan]

Hyposalinity
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php

Keep a close eye on the ph bc it can drop when doing hypo. also make sure you are able to top off all the evaporated water couple of times a day or the hypo will not be successful. the hippo tangs are prone to ich so make sure its ich free and stays ich free before going into your DT.

[Mzulu]

Make sure you get calibration fluid so your refractometer gives the correct salinity. Read the hypo section in this link. It explains why you need a calibrated refractometer.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1500214

[lacosta28]

Why did you put LR in your QT? Now that you are treating with Hypo you are going to kill everything that is on that rock. I am not sure if this can/will cause an ammonia spike.

Also, are you aware that your 57g tank is way to small for that blue tang?