Total Failure

Fox · #1 03-17-2009, 08:22 PM

I am at my wits end...Since starting the tank and being very patient with the cycle, I slowly added my fish (2 blue Chromis which did well) Then I added 2 clown fish and a manderine dragon goby.

The clown fish died, and I still haven't found the maderine goby. I had my water tested by my LFS and was told my water was fine and that they were just bad fish.

So I tried again...3 more clown fish and a Royal Gramma Basslet. All very compatible and hardy fish from my research and they all got along.

First went the Royal Gramma and a clown, and now within 12 hours my last 2 remaining clowns died within 12 hours of each other which leaves me with 1 green chromis as of this morning.

I should mention that all my snails and crabs are doing great as well as the few corals (zoa, candy cane and my green star polyp is doing great). I put in an LTA a week ago and he is fine as well...

I tested my water last night and although I dont have the readings the only thing that was a bit low was my PH which I have been using Buff to raise...

I am at a loss and ready to give up on keeping fish on account of incompetence and just keep corals and snails

I just don't get it.

parkinsn · #2 03-17-2009, 08:26 PM

What are your peramiter's? How long has your tank been running? What size tank and equipment are you running?

Chaloupa · #3 03-17-2009, 08:36 PM

First off...too many fish being added at the same time to a new small tank.

You just finished your cycle....added 2 fish, then a couple weeks later you added 4 more....you are causing mini cycles to happen with your tank each time....add fish SLOWLY.....1 fish at a time...or in the case of the clown pair once the tank has been established for a while longer...then add the pair. Your tank is not ready for a few fish at a time...and it can't cope. When you say your levels are "fine"...more info would really help. This hobby is about patience and trust me, with my first tank I rushed it BADLY and lost many fish as I just didn't slow down. Once you slow down you will LOVE your tank and the hobby! And you have asked questions which is fantastic! I didn't even know about Canreef when I started...I may have done a much better job if I had!

Also a mandarin dragonette will not do well in a tank that small..unless it's eating frozen foods very very very well....as there will not be enough pods to keep it fed. They also require a well established tank.....sorry but it's not the best choice for your tank.....

Just my opinion on what could be going wrong..you can keep corals..you're not doing everything wrong AT ALL!

Myka · #4 03-17-2009, 08:53 PM

Chaloupa has good advice. I agree on the Mandarin...do not consider one in a tank smaller than 75g except in rare instances. I would suggest you do not use a pH buffer for your tank unless your pH is less than 7.8, in which case you likely need to adjust something else, and not use buffer at all. What kind of buffer are you using? How often are you using it? What does the pH read before using it? What does the pH read after using it?

If you provide more information like tank size, when you started it, when you first had 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia, what all your levels are (specific gravity, temp, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and phosphate), what brand test kits you use, what additives you use, what salt, what your daily/weekly/monthly maintenance schedule is, etc. Provide as much info as possible.

Taking a read through my guide for just starting out, and also the chemistry guide would be a good read to skim through to see if you're missing anything that may be a key to your tank's current challenges.

Nixon · #5 03-17-2009, 09:48 PM

just a shot in the dark here but how are you acclimating these fish? too short of an acclimation time? just a thought.

untamed · #6 03-17-2009, 11:18 PM

I wouldn't be using any kind of buffer...especially as you are just starting out. pH is not likely to be the problem.

parkinsn · #7 03-17-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed

I wouldn't be using any kind of buffer...especially as you are just starting out. pH is not likely to be the problem.

Agreed. Your Ph will also be directly affected by your KH so if you post you tank perimeters your KH may reflect the problem with PH. Also KH, Mg and Ca have to be in line with each other for one to stay up they all have to be at proper level's.

FlamesFan · #8 03-17-2009, 11:31 PM

Possibly bad luck? I have an established tank and still manage to have issues with fish. I belive it's mostly due to the fish being either cyanide caught or stressed from all the transfers they go through. Most of the deaths i've had come within the first month of being added. If they last more than a month, they live a nice life in my tank.

reeferious · #9 03-17-2009, 11:53 PM

did you test for ammonia?

Fox · #10 03-18-2009, 03:19 AM

Phew that was a lot of information to go through but I believe I have the answers to all.

To start I would like to clarify a few things. Whenever I have bought fish I have always asked for the advice of the LFS and let them know the history of the tank, I always bring in a water sample and I let them know whats in the tank.

I would also like to clarify that it wasn't a manderine goby I had in there, (thats on my future wish list) its was a dragon goby...the guy who eats the sand and spits it out through his lungs...or did before he died...He is still in the tank somewhere...do I need to rip it apart to find him or will my cleaner shrimp make short work or him if they haven't already?

The tank is 33 gal, no sump with a protien skimmer, in tank fluval, T5 HO lights and a power head. I started the tank on Dec 29th and waiting 9 weeks before I and my LFS (Big Al's) was satisfied that it was cycled.

Anytime a fish was added I dripped them for about an hour...maybe a bit longer using some rubber tubing and a chip clip.

I am using Red Sea marine lab test kit and the quick dip 6 in 1 test strips.
My test results as of tonight are Alk 120-180, pH 7.0-7.4 (hard to tell), Salinity :1.022 Nitrites :0 Nitrates :0 and the one that of course caused the problem I am sure Ammonia : 1.0...

After seeing the ammonia test I did a 10-15% water change...hopefully not too much. I have been doing weekly water changes along with the freshwater tank every weekend...

I hope I answered everything...maybe the one thing I am missing is how often I am testing and what I am testing for...maybe I would have seen this coming. The odd thing is that all my inverts, corals and my anemone are doing great...everyone just keeps telling me I got bad fish but those bad fish are costing me good money...I hope I can get this worked it but its just heartbreaking and I just feel so defeated after soo many losses.

I just need hope that I am not a complete failure at this to keep going!

Thanks to all who replied...