Corals died, killed fish

[cleandrink]

I have a fairly new nano tank, 24 gal with about 35 lbs live rock and a few fish. All had been doing good for a couple months. I ordered some corals, a small red flower thing, and a hairy mushroom. I acclimated them and added to the tank. Everything looked good until the next morning when the water was so cloudy, I could hardly see through it. The corals had died. I cleaned filters, did a 3 gallon water change. The amonia went up to just .20 and the ph to 8.6. Then the fish died.

Any ideas on what I did wrong or suggestions. I have been working on getting it cleaned up but need suggestions on what to do and how to clean it up now.

Mark

 

[Sarcophyton874]

After the corals died, depending on which kinds, they released toxic chemicals into the water (probably caused the cloudiness). It would be even worse in your case because you have a nano - everything is more concentrated and unstable.

 

[cleandrink]

What kind of corals and how many would you suggest for a 24 g jbj nano tank? I am adding a skimmer to the tank now, anything else I should change? Are you familiar with the lighting on those? Do I need to change anything there?

Mark

 

[Sarcophyton874]

Do some larger water changes and then wait a couple of weeks to get more corals. Your tank should be fine for soft and LPS corals.

 

[acro 05]

you did'nt mention what your tanks perameter's were before
the new fish or corals. any such changes on already stressed,
fish/corals (new) leads to a disaster as you now. i agree with the water change 50% if if you nothing left, slower if you do.
anything remaining will be stressed out. mainly try recycling the system and let it stabilize then slowly add your bioload.