Hyposaline Issue

[lovelylinda]

Hi all- I'm on the 2nd day of dropping my saline to treat ich. I've done 2 water changes and my specifig gravity is 1.015. PH 8.2, Ammonia-0 Nitrites- o Nitrates- 10. I'm treating the 125, having removed the corals and inverts. I have 2 small tangs (2 inch) , a 6 inch foxface, a midas blennie, 1 clown, and a 2 inch trigger. The trigger and one tang are being moved to a friend's 300 gallon when ich is treated. I've been babysitting for 7 months. Today the tangs and the foxface are all positioned in front of a powerhead. Temp is 81.0 this am, usually 80- 81 in the summer. I'm worried that that are low on O2. Any ideas? The tangs also look a little pale.

[kevin2000]

Hypo will not impact oxygen level in the water.

Take the SG down to 1.009.

Hypo in a show tank is not recommended ... will kill off much of the hidden life within the live rock and substrate ... keep a close eye on ammonia because the death of all those small critters will detriorate water quality. Consider making up a large batch of replacement water for emergency.

[lovelylinda]

Will do. I've had to do this before- I've got extra salt water ready.
It seems even in a QT you fight with ammonia for a few days.

[andrewsmart]

temp affects ogen levels of course.

in fresh water fish i use salts to help with oxygen take up in the gills. the electrolytes help gill function.

perhaps the lower level of salt is affecting the take up of oxygen by the gills.

a lower temp and perhaps another powerhead aimed at the surface might help.

hope ferdinand is ok foxfaces are pretty robust.

[lovelylinda]

He's a wonderful fish. I lowered the temp to 79. All seem to be ok today. Stilll no ammonia.