GouldFever
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Idea!!! I have an idea!! Take your voltage meter to your LFS and test one of their tanks. I know it's only .7 but I gotta think that any current is too much. I'd test mine, but I'm not home right now
Yes, you need more IMO. Two 1500 gph power heads AT LEAST.1500 gph each or total water flow? The gentleman who sold us our 55 gallon in 06 recommended a minimum of 12x the tank volume of circulation excluding the filter return (I had a canister with that tank) so I figured the 700gph and 900gph power heads I had in there were sufficient. If not, I can definitely add more!
Don
Some pumps have petroleum based lubricant inside them. If the seals are compromised, this can cause problems. The lab test on the water should rule this out. Also, you may see some oil-like slick on the surface.
I highly doubt rust is an issue, 2 reasons, 1) I have had clamps/screws/ whatever in my tank that have rusted, and ive never seen or experienced a almost instant death issue like yours and 2) if it WAS the rust, the fish would die in the qt tank just or bucket just as fast.
as for the rock. unless you used a chemical on them at some point, they should be fine
Melafix-
Some consider there to be real dangers with the use of Melafix in fish aquariums. Being that Melafix is an oil based product, it is said that the oil can make it difficult for fish that breathe air. There are theories for why this happens, but what has been shown is if proper water parameters are maintained, there's generally not an issue.
Melafix needs to used as directed. Many issues that come from the use of Melafix is the fact that it is being used incorrectly. The medication is a mild antibiotic. It can be used to treat mild infections, but used in other ways than intended, could result in the real problem not being treated correctly and Melafix appearing to be the cause of the issue. Knowing the infection and properly treating is a must.
Still, the inverts living through it would make me think it's something else.
I googled "Water testing facility Cleveland Ohio", and came up with plenty of labs. Check it out.
I keep referring to the inverts because generally, they are the first things to go if there's a problem. If it was something toxic, I would see the shrimp go belly up long before the fish.
Just butting in..... I have just purchased a uv sterlizer for a going on 9 month algae bloom. During my research about sterilizers, I happened across a youtube video with a poor soul that had a similar issue. It was his sterilizer. I guess the unit's plastic housing was covered with a toxic black residue on the inside. I'm not sure if it was due to overheating. This is the video. I do hope you find the cause of this.
Just butting in..... I have just purchased a uv sterlizer for a going on 9 month algae bloom. During my research about sterilizers, I happened across a youtube video with a poor soul that had a similar issue. It was his sterilizer. I guess the unit's plastic housing was covered with a toxic black residue on the inside. I'm not sure if it was due to overheating. This is the video. I do hope you find the cause of this.
Hopefully that was the issue and you can get your tank back to health. I initially hesitated posting as the gentleman in the video didn't seem to have 'instant death'. However, looking at the sleeve of your sterilizer it appears your problem is worse than his. He had another video prior to this one showing his seal was broken. I do see that that particular sterilizer was discontinued. Please post update when you get your tank back together.