newb help!!

[Enigma]

Yes, I think a big water change (don't use tap, you can get the "Great Value" distilled water at Walmart for cheap . . . In prepackaged jugs . . . Don't use the machine) is in order. A few big water changes are probably the best thing you can do for your tank right now. Mix it in a bucket (powerhead works well) to your tank's SG, bring it up to temp, siphon out tank water, and add the newly mixed saltwater. I'm sure you know is, but after some posts i've read on another forum . . . not everyone does.

The API test I have an issue with is the nitrate one. The ammonia and nitrite tests should be just fine for you right now.

You may need to add some bacteria (I know Red Coral has some products to help a tank cycle), and maybe some Ammo Lock. You might like to stuff a bag of Purigen into your overflow (or some where else all of the water will pass through).

I know you feel like crap right now, but don't worry. You'll get through this. We all have a lot to learn when we start out, and sometimes an answer to the challenges we face isn't easy or forthcoming. There will be livestock losses for one reason or another. That's a fact of reefing.

[Snaz]

No need for a new ammonia test kit, even the cheap ones work fine for detecting ammonia. If that cloud is ammonia your nose will confirm Get your nose up near the surface and take a big whiff, if it smells nasty then you have a problem.

Any uneaten fish food pooled in a corner or in the filter?

[iceman86]

hey i just got back from the lfs and talked to a few guys told them the story and showed them the pics and they say its a bacterial bloom. he gave me a bottle of microbacter7 to create bacteria but i dunno if this will be enough. The corals seem to look worse already. Does anyone want to babysit some corals and a couple clownfish for a bit? ill pay

[iceman86]

Originally Posted by Snaz

No need for a new ammonia test kit, even the cheap ones work fine for detecting ammonia. If that cloud is ammonia your nose will confirm Get your nose up near the surface and take a big whiff, if it smells nasty then you have a problem.

Any uneaten fish food pooled in a corner or in the filter?

no there isnt a bed smell or food either.

[Aquattro]

Do a 20 or 30% water change, add some carbon, ensure NH3 reads 0. Don't feed the tank anything for a couple days, or at most, drop in a couple of pellets for the fish and make sure they eat them.
The cloudiness is probably just a combo of bacterial bloom and new sand dust. Not a really terrible combination. Don't panic It's not that bad.

Make sure you keep the tank stable and cloud free for a month before adding anything else.

[Nano]

I wouldnt shop there they are obviously trying to make a buck off you rather then help you solve the problem. There are 100's of experience reefers on here to help you. Listen to them and problem solved.

[iceman86]

Originally Posted by Nano

I wouldn't shop there they are obviously trying to make a buck off you rather then help you solve the problem. There are 100's of experience reefers on here to help you. Listen to them and problem solved.

I hear you and that's why im here. They didnt have any other tests kits other than the api. I bought the microbacter7 to see if it made a difference. This lfs isn't where i bought my live rock. I didnt buy it from a store.

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Nano

I wouldnt shop there they are obviously trying to make a buck off you rather then help you solve the problem. There are 100's of experience reefers on here to help you. Listen to them and problem solved.

+1

The problem with the pet stores is they might not have any more knowledge than you do but what they do have is lots of aging bottles of stock that they want to sell you.

I don't know Edmonton LFS but I am sure there are some good stores. Find a good one and then don't be shy and say "I am new to reefing I want to talk to your most experienced reefer."

As stated your best resource right now is here. Read previous threads, read the stickies and ask lots of questions.

First thing you need for us to help you is list your tank contents, hardware and history

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Nano

There are 100's of experience reefers on here to help you. Listen to them and problem solved.

Originally Posted by iceman86

I hear you and that's why im here

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Do a 20 or 30% water change, add some carbon, ensure NH3 reads 0. Don't feed the tank anything for a couple days, or at most, drop in a couple of pellets for the fish and make sure they eat them.
The cloudiness is probably just a combo of bacterial bloom and new sand dust. Not a really terrible combination. Don't panic It's not that bad.

Make sure you keep the tank stable and cloud free for a month before adding anything else.

I'd say you'll be OK if you take the advice here

[Nano]

Originally Posted by Snaz

+1
I don't know Edmonton LFS but I am sure there are some good stores. Find a good one and then don't be shy and say "I am new to reefing I want to talk to your most experienced reefer."

I didn't realize he was from Edmonton, your very lucky we have lots of great stores here like red coral, blue world aquatics and marine aquaria, those are my top three not in any specific order for advice and good products. I would check them out also they are all members here which is an added bonus.