I think I'm watching my favorite fish struggle for breath. I've never seen her act like this before... and there is absolutely nothing I can do to help her. :(
I got a Reverse Osmosis (RO) machine from the guy I got the 30 gallon reef tank from. I hadn't used it because he said I might need to change one of the filters. I turned it on and ran 10 gallons of water through it, and took that water to have it tested. I had been reading online that RO water needs to be tested with a 'TDS' meter, but I took my water sample to my LFS, and after they checked it out, they said it was great water. I ran it for 10 more gallons, and then did a 5 gallon water change in both tanks. I went to work, and after work i took the unit over to a friends house and ran off another 10 gallons for his tank to do a water change.
Also of note, we had a freakishly warm day in Texas today. The outside temp got up to 77, and my apartment got up to 81. The 24g got all the way up to 83, and the 30g got up to 85! I uncovered them and turn on fans to cool them down. (after the water change, before the trip to the friends).
My first indication of a problem was when I returned home, and my Nem was dead. It had been getting sicker and sicker for a while. I tried to do water changes, made sure it had enough light, tried to feed it per the LFS advice. I didn't expect it to live, but I was shocked at how wilted it got so quickly. I hadn't noticed my goby in a day or so, but that's not odd. It likes to hide under the rocks. Tonight I was cleaning the glass, and noticed her swimming around. FAST! This got my attention because so much has happened in that tank today, and she is my favorite fish.
I pulled out my test kit, and started to test all the levels. Everything is fine. Ammonia isn't 0ppm, but it's very close. Nitrate and Nitrite are almost 0ppm, and my PH is perfect at 8.2 - 8.3.
So then what could have my goby going crazy???
The water change? Was the temp diff to much? I can see that hurting the nem, but my goby has never once shown signs of discomfort. Was the water bad?
Was the hot water (83degree) to hot for him to be able to live in??
Did i mess up huge by not getting the water tested with the TDS meter?? There is no test I know of that test for everything. What are the chances my stupid RO filter let some chlorine into my water??
Could the nem's death have set off something that is upsetting the Goby? I noticed the shrimp molted tonight as well... could it have been trying to shed it's skin to avoid what ever is going on in the tank?
Am I imagining this? I'm just not used to the fish's nocturnal habits? The percs look happy. They aren't darting around looking for something. The goby truely is. It usually plays in the sand and looks relaxed. This fish seems to be in a panic. I'm very sad. My fish might be suffocating, and there is absolutely nothing i can do. :(
I hope i'm just imagining things. There is no way i'm going to be able to sleep, but i'm going to try. I hope my goby is okay in the morning.
COME ON DOBBY!!

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