Fish dying after 72 hours

[wmhcpa]

This system is in my office and was set up by a "service company" with 20 yrs of expereince??? He has been very troubled with the loss of fish. It seems that new fish live only about 72 hours when introduced. My system consisits of a 125 gal tank with 2 Aquarium-Lux 48" lights, a Wet/Dry filter with bio balls, heater & pump. It is decorated with "dead" coral and plastic plants etc. They have serviced the system with water changes every two weeks using their salt water while "top off" water has been from our office tap. I had the tap water analyzed and was told it contained Phosphates, Amonia and a PH of 10.2.

The fish living in the system currently is a Fox Face and 3 damsels. I like possiblity of added live rock for the natural look and hopefully the health of
the entire system, but am concerned about the costs involved of changing to a reef system. (i.e. lighting, refugium & the corals themselves)

Thanks to All!

 

[FZ1Rider]

Well first they shouldn't be using tap water to top it off. Especially with 20 years of experience. You should be using RO/DI for top off. (Or some sort of bottled distilled water)

The "fake" coral they have in there won't do any buffering so that could cause a problem but probably not the cause of death.

Have they told you what the tank water tests at? Have you tested it yourself?
If so what are the levels in the tank?

Adding corals will not help the tank to my knowledge so I would address the fish dying issue first.

Peter

Peter

 

[demonsp]

I would invest in a test kit and check perms myself. But if you consist on useing tap water then you may always have problems. sounds like you can invest in a RO /DI unit and save alot of headacks. If he so experianced then why are they allow the tap water ?

 

[gistsc]

pH seems really high. 10.2?

 

[demonsp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9470146#post9470146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
I would invest in a test kit and check perms myself. But if you consist on useing tap water then you may always have problems. sounds like you can invest in a RO /DI unit and save alot of headacks. If he so experianced then why are they allow the tap water ?

lol you beat me to the punch.

 

[demonsp]

Wow thats really high. You need to get this tank stable before adding anystock. Also learn the hobby yourself , it would be alot more fun and rewarding. And asking in here is the only thing i see being done right. Mb give yor tech this link.

 

[demonsp]

Oh red slime loves phosphates BTW.