Multiple deaths...HELP!!!

[Fitz4fish]

I am so sad and confused right now. I have a 150 FOWLER tank (a couple small anemones) I have had a problen with nitrates for a while now. they are high. I have a wet/dry, a Ehiem canister and now a refugium working on the tank right now. I had told my local guy from LFS (who regularly comes over) that I think the culprit is the canister. But I have cleaned it and there has been no real change.
Anyway, the fish have been fine throughout the entire time. I do water changes (10-15%) every week or 2. The only thing I can think of is that I did a massive water change, about 40%, about a month ago. I know that put some stress. But I tried to keep everything balanced.(gravity) But my Blue hippo just died, he was super healthy. Just started acting skitterish for a week, stopped eating and was hiding. Up until last night where he came out, was swimming, eat fine, just like normal. He died today. Aside from the water change the only other thing that was different is I added a small porcupine fish, Diodon nicthemerus, about 2 months ago which I read was fine to add to the tank.
The tank is big with not many fish in it, I don't know whats going on. So far I lost a Trigger, Blue Hippo, 2 wrasse, chromis and a small clown fish.
It so discouraging, I work hard on my tank but its making me sad , frustrated and very poor!
And help, no criticism please, would be appreciated.

 

[anthony27]

you have a serious hole in the head disease. check for any stray votlage

 

[bubbles4]

Really Anthony27, this is your response. I am asking for help and this is the kind of answer you give. Do me a favor don't respond to me or anyone else who has a serious problem because it is not appreciated. (and trust me that was the nicest way I could have phrased what I want to say)

he was trying to help by saying your fish has "Head and Lateral Line Erosion" AKA HLLE or hole in the head disease. One of the causes may be stray voltage , so if you your tank is not grounded, look into it. I thought it was a helpful response.

 

[nick96ss]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_in_the_head_disease

 

[Fitz4fish]

Sorry, I am upset and I thought someone was just screwing with me. Sorry

 

[seascape]

i also see that you have not mentioned what your ammonia levels are a side the helle and +1 on stray voltage

 

[Fitz4fish]

ammonia level and nitrite levels are perfect. And I don't think its stray voltage because the rest of my guys are acting fine. No change at all. Unless I am just having a stroke of really bad luck, I cant understand. But I do know this the fish that passed didn't have any strange markings on them. No nips, no spots, no problem with gills. I was wondering if the puffer got a little agressive, but the wrasse were way to fast for him and the hippo and the trigger were to big.

 

[anthony27]

it looks liike hole in the head I would test for stray voltage and read up on it you said the tang was one of fish to die and from what I saw in the picture it could be that some fish are more inture with that type of sickness then other hardie fish. also check your ph it might be to high for the fish and they might be stressed, do you notice any swimming differently then before.

 

[darkdrako]

I would check all parameters and equipment no matter how small or unlikely. Sometimes the problem is so obvious and simple that people overlook them for something more complicated.

 

[Fitz4fish]

That picture was from last year, it has always been super healthy. My PH has been high, but its been high for a while. I am have been trying to reduce it for a long time now, but trying to not to anything super drastic. I did do a 40% water change which I believe stressed them out but I did it over the course of a day, trying to keep everything in balance.
Like I said, aside from the water change and adding a puffer, nothing really is different. I will certainly check for any stray voltage, because the timeline is fitting as to when I put in the refugium. That being said have not noticed any fish swimming erratically. This sucks, thanks for your advice!

 

[Master Shake]

you said you had nitrate problems, how high are we talkng? and a large water change a ,month ago would not cause these problems now