HELP. Everything is dead or dying!

[Lyfey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15706622#post15706622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Macimage
I don't know how you can tell him to forget the TDS.

If the TDS is up and chlorine or even worse chloramines are getting through his RO unit, it will kill his fish.

Water quality is one of the most important parameters. It is hardly a non essential item.

Im going to have to disagree with you only because its the fact of him not being able to keep a fish alive. Tanks have been successful as FOWLR using tap water. I used tap water for almost 8 months when I first started my system and I kept fish alive and healthy. The only reason I said forget the TDS at this moment is because more than likely his tap water will not kill his fish and its probably not the cause of his fish loss at the moment.
TDS and RO/DI water I agree is very important if not one of the most important factors in reefing, but I am just trying to help him keep a fish alive first.

You can make a new reefers head explode if you jump into Ca reactors, protein skimmers, GFO reactors, Carbon dosing, Phosphate reactors, TDS meters, RO/DI filters and on and on... The basics are the basics and they wont change. Learning the proper methods from the beginning is a great way to learn, but not always what happens and sometimes more stressful than anything. The methods to keep a fish alive are simple, honestly no need to get too technical just to keep a fish alive. Thats all I am trying to help the reefer with, keeping his fish alive so he can enjoy the hobby and continue reefing before he gives up from dissapointment.

 

[stingythingy45]

"Im going to have to disagree with you only because its the fact of him not being able to keep a fish alive. Tanks have been successful as FOWLR using tap water. I used tap water for almost 8 months when I first started my system and I kept fish alive and healthy."

And I'll disagree with you.
This may be true in YOUR part of the country.But not necessarily true in other areas.
The OP's fish died of ammonia poisoning,plain and simple.There was no need to wait so long for a tank to cycle.He basically had NO organics to die off and trigger a cycle.When the OP added the fish,BINGO.....CYCLE.
Best bet now is to keep doing water changes.Stop dosing Calcium as the ALk is probably rock bottom now.

 

[Lyfey]

Understood.. Thats what I believe happened also, thats why I wanted to know how much LR was in the system. IF there isnt enough there will be another cycle when the fish is introduced.

 

[stingythingy45]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15709688#post15709688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Understood.. Thats what I believe happened also, thats why I wanted to know how much LR was in the system. IF there isnt enough there will be another cycle when the fish is introduced.

Yeah,some areas have a lot of chlorine in tap water as well as nitrates phosphates.Although the latter 2 wont kill fish,it will cause some serious problems with algae.
And yes,I think that ammonia could rise again.

 

[CoRPS]

+1 to the copper killing your inverts much quicker than your fish. Honestly, it does sound like your bacteria has starved out. You can do one of a couple things. Feed your tank every other day and/or buy damsels. Usually people will look down on you for it but, ****.. Your tank has already killed 4+ other fish.

On top of that, you're definitely going to need a new kit. Don't get it at a normal pet shop since who knows how long they've been sitting there. Go to a reputable fish store and get it from them. While you're in there bring a sample of your water and have them test it so you can compare the results.

Also just thought of something. You said your second batch of fish lived longer than the first, it's VERY likely that this was due to the bacteria that grew while your first batch of fish was living in the tank.

Bottom line, feed the tank and let it grow out. Maybe even pick up a small amount of live sand and/or rock from a local reefer just to jumpstart the bacteria growth.

Edit: Didn't realize there was a whole second page. Good information here.

 

[alleykat81]

Was the question of how much live rock is in the system answered-or did I miss that?

 

[jtrasap]

Inverts are much more likely to show problems from swings in salinity or just about anything else for that matter. I'm stumped that your snails are doing fine but you've lost some fish. I'd go by one tiny little damsel, put it in there and see how it does. Every time you add a fish, your tank will have a tiny cycle due to the bacteria having to multiply to keep up with the increase in bio-load.


Put in one small damsel, and wait a month or so for the system to catch up, then add another and see how it does.

I'd also try another fish store, as you may be getting unhealthy fish to begin with.

 

[reeftanknewbie]

sorry been away from the post awhile. I have about 50lbs of live rock that is cured and from a previous tank. I think what was said about the tank cycling when I added fish makes sense to me. I have been feeding the tank daily and doing water changes twice a week (5 gallons per change). My Ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite is still 0 since my last post. Skimmer is not producing very much at this point. I have no diatom bloom or other algae problems and my chateo remains healthy in my refug. I am going to post pics as soon as I'm feeling better....maybe this weekend. thanks all of you for your very helpful feedback. I am feeling confident again about fixing this problem and moving ahead.

 

[Lyfey]

any updates? Any pics? I want to see how your progressing!

 

[reeftanknewbie]

sorry have been very sick this past two weeks so I have been lying in bed most of the time. I managed to take some pics today. This is of the water surface to see flow, the refug and tank itself. Did another water change today (5 gallons). Planning on testing the water tomorrow and taking a sample to the LFS to verify my test kits. Does anyone have a used TDS and refracometer for sale...cheap?

 

[reeferoo]

This all looks very good. I think time and simple tried and true maintenance will get all back to normal. If you really want to be sure, go fallow 8 weeks. Water change, test, clean, repeat. Give the tank more time to stabilize. Try again after any possible ich has died and the water has had time to completely cycle and build helpful bacteria. You can leave the corals during this process, and with so few, you shouldn't need too much supplementation. I believe this was mentioned, but I would get an Alk test kit and be sure to dose Alk with your Ca as they deplete each other.
best of luck!

 

[reeftanknewbie]

Reeferoo,

Thanks...I tested the water today and Ammonia, nitrate, and nitrate were still 0. I will continue to feed as mentioned by someone else and watch the Alk and CA.