Rookie mistake

[Nina51]

So all said and done, I'm leaning toward the tank not finished cycling and a rise in ammonia that did the fish in, and not the salinity of 1.026 you said you had

even after such an acclimation as the op described, going from 1.021 to 1.026 would be enough to stress (and possibly kill) the fish, especially if they were very small. when you are increasing salinity, it has to be done over a much longer period of time than if you are decreasing.

hang in there, op. if this is the worst mistake you make in this hobby, you'll be golden!

 

[Member No. 1]

even after such an acclimation as the op described, going from 1.021 to 1.026 would be enough to stress (and possibly kill) the fish, especially if they were very small. when you are increasing salinity, it has to be done over a much longer period of time than if you are decreasing.

hang in there, op. if this is the worst mistake you make in this hobby, you'll be golden!

True, and I agree with this. Unknown though, is how long the fish were in the tank after he put them in did they die.
A slow rise in salinity from evaporation say a weeks time, from 1.021 to 1.026 should not have stressed a fish. We do it all the time when we buy fish. Some LFS keep fish only at, 1.018 and we drip accumulate the fish in an hour's time to 1.026 with little to no problems.

But he did say he had an ammonia spike after adding the fish. So I'm still leaning that way.

 

[artiewylde]

The spike was almost 2 months ago. The problem (at least I think) 2 things... when I checked the salinity before getting fish it was 1.023, then I topped it off with Salt water. I was also reading the hydrometer without filling it all the way up, so it gave a false reading...was actually close to 1.027. Fish only lasted a day. Thought everything was fine then checked on them after midnight and 1 was dead. The other the next night.

 

[PAXpress]

The spike was almost 2 months ago. The problem (at least I think) 2 things... when I checked the salinity before getting fish it was 1.023, then I topped it off with Salt water. I was also reading the hydrometer without filling it all the way up, so it gave a false reading...was actually close to 1.027. Fish only lasted a day. Thought everything was fine then checked on them after midnight and 1 was dead. The other the next night.

You may also want to look into ordering a Refractometer. I tried to use a hydrometer in the beginning and just couldn't trust it. Refractometer is really only about 25-30 dollars on amazon for a decent one and have not had troubles with SG since. Just my .02

 

[artiewylde]

So I finally got things straight and added a pair of clownfish to my tank. Been a week and they seem to be doing good. Im in the process of setting up a quarantine tank. I am wondering if or when I should add a clean up crew or a fish like a bullet goby to clean the sand.

 

[TONY_C]

So I finally got things straight and added a pair of clownfish to my tank. Been a week and they seem to be doing good. Im in the process of setting up a quarantine tank. I am wondering if or when I should add a clean up crew or a fish like a bullet goby to clean the sand.

I'm new here too and, like you, still have much to learn. From things I have read, shouldn't the CUC be added before adding fish?

Here's one of sk8r's blog entries http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=702 You should check out all of his blog entries, they are all very valuable. I've read a few of them several times already.

 

[Capt.Nemo]

Yep top off with fresh water. Salt doesn't evaporate. Check your salinity. 4 months is more than enough time to cycled especially if you have LR

OOOOPS!!!

I had never heard that before, but it explains.

I had been doing religious water changes, getting the tap out and diluting with RODI salt from LFS. don't worry, I have no fish right now, Tomato's are in QT tank until mid April. I believe with all the changes and adding Protien Skimmer, I am caught up. only been topping off last couple weeks. home tests of water have been great, LFS testing other parameters, Alkalinity and Magnesium are high.
i had not been checking gravity.
i read this and checked.....1.032+ OUCH! could that be culprit?

yes or no, i can take another top off right now. going to store for STRAIGHT RODI and adding it.

glad no fish, but that could explain my brown out on Grape Frogspawn and Polyps.

 

[artiewylde]

Thats what was happening to me....salinity kept getting higher. Top off with fresh ro water only and it stays consistent. . Only use salt water for as water change. I learned the hard way.