avyandjoey
New member
Just tested ammonia color shows it's between 0 and 0.25. Phosphate is same as ammonia. And nitrate is between 0 and 5.0
Fish are dying!
- Thread starter avyandjoey
- Start date
silent_circle
New member
I would ask what the specific gravity of the water your fish store is using. A lot of store have low SG and you need to acclimate really slow. What is your acclimation process?
Quoted for images.
avyandjoey
New member
Ph is at 8.2
Any amount of ammonia is toxic to fish. I suspect your tank is still cycling and is not ready for fish. Please test every few days and monitor your params for the next two weeks without adding anymore inhabitants and report back with your results. Thanks!
avyandjoey
New member
We float fish for about 10min and then add some of our water do it again after another 10 after this process a few times try to pour some of old water out and add more water. Process usually takes about an hour.
silent_circle
New member
I would get bacteria in a bottle to speed up the cycle. I use stability by seachem.
There are products out there that detoxify Ammonia like sechem's prime. You have to be careful using that too because the chemical just bonds the harmful Ammonia for 48 hours. Then it becomes toxic again. Essentially, while bonded to Ammonia, the beneficial bacteria can use that for the nitrogen cycle. Your test kit will still register the Ammonia while dosing prime. Prime won't 'get rid' of the Ammonia. The nitrogen cycle will.
There are products out there that detoxify Ammonia like sechem's prime. You have to be careful using that too because the chemical just bonds the harmful Ammonia for 48 hours. Then it becomes toxic again. Essentially, while bonded to Ammonia, the beneficial bacteria can use that for the nitrogen cycle. Your test kit will still register the Ammonia while dosing prime. Prime won't 'get rid' of the Ammonia. The nitrogen cycle will.
avyandjoey
New member
Ha no just over a month. I know it's still in its cycling process but aren't fish supposed to help with the cycling process?
avyandjoey
New member
Thankyou silent_circle. We've used prime in our other tanks but ran out. Will definitely pick some more up and try the stability product.
silent_circle
New member
I think your acclimation process is a little quick. I have heard some fish acclimate faster than others.
The way I would acclimate your fish is use a seperate tank. Make your salt water to the same salinity as your local fish store. Preferably the night before. Or use your tank water and dilute with rodi until it reaches same SG as local fish store water. Put a heater in there and set it to the same temp as your display tank. Float the fish bag in the tank for 20-30 minutes. Once done, pour some water from quarantine into the bag. Float for another 15 minutes. Then hand scoop or net the fish into your quarantine. Adjust the salinity in the quarantine tank to match your tank over the course of 2 days. At that point your fish are ready for your tank.
This is a sure way of making sure your fish aren't stressed.
silent_circle
New member
No problem. I hope you have better luck soon. Keep us posted.
silent_circle
New member
Yes fish can help with the cycling process but most people that care for the fish don't do it this way. The Ammonia burns the fish's gills and they suffer.
I cycled my tank with pure Ammonia and beneficial bacteria.
avyandjoey
New member
I kinda feel like a jerk now for putting fish in my tank.
Fish_King_25
Reef Addict
You said your tank has been cycling for about a month in your OP. Then said you tried adding your first set of fish about 3 weeks ago. Math says you waited a week to add fish to a brand new tank...and now what 6? 7?? fish have died.
READ READ READ as much as your life gives you time for before you try and dive into this hobby, it helps you, it helps your wallet, and it helps the fish..live.
silent_circle
New member
Everyone was a beginner at one point. I made some mistakes when I started and I know everyone else did too. I was antsy when I first started. Everyone wants to pack their tanks full of fish and coral in the beginning. You have start slow and do your homework. Otherwise your fish store will be glad to sell you another fish 
thenewguy997
New member
You didnt clean the tank with any soap or cleaning agents right?
avyandjoey
New member
Fish are dying!
Lol. I guess I did jump into it fast. I'm still a beginner but have some experience with a 30 gallon that we've had set up for a little over a year. Idk if it was just beginners luck but fish didn't die when I added the during the cycling process.. I really appreciate the advise. I'll definitely be taking a step back and let the tank do it's thing and just make sure to keep checking my levels of everything.
Lol. I guess I did jump into it fast. I'm still a beginner but have some experience with a 30 gallon that we've had set up for a little over a year. Idk if it was just beginners luck but fish didn't die when I added the during the cycling process.. I really appreciate the advise. I'll definitely be taking a step back and let the tank do it's thing and just make sure to keep checking my levels of everything.
avyandjoey
New member
Nope.
