Everything is dieing!!!!!!!

[shaggyblz]

Last week I posted:
I just recently acquired a 110 gallon reef tank from a friend who couldn't keep it anymore. I have had it for about a month, all levels have been fine, then the ph dropped to about 7.9. Thought I would raise it a little and added ph buffer. Finally, after adding quite a bit ( a little every couple of days) it came up to about 8.1-8.2. Doing this, I didn't know, raises the hardness levels and lowers calcium levels. I'm adding calcum a couple of times a week. Now I have shrimp dieing one by one. Fish seem to be a little stressed but are otherwise OK............................
I got up this morning and both of my tangs were dead. Vlamingi and a Yellow. The other fish are at the top looking like they are trying to "breath" the air. Checked levels:
PH : 7.8 dropped, dont know why
KH/hardness: 350 still way over
Iron:0
Nitrite: .2
Nitrate: 15
Phosphate: 1.0
Ammonia: .1
Calcium: 480 back to normal
Salinity: 1.024
Temp:80
Please help, i would like to save the rest of my tank.

 

[spiderwoman]

Has the nitrite and ammonia been zero since you started? Before you add any inverts and fish both of those need to be zero. Your tank is probably still in the middle of cycle.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Ammonia and nitrites are way too high. I would advise giving your remaining livestock to a friend with a stable tank until you can get these down to zero.

 

[shaggyblz]

They usually stay at:
Ammonia: 0.0-0.1
Nitrate: 10-20
Nitrite: .1

 

[shaggyblz]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2741577
Ammonia and nitrites are way too high. I would advise giving your remaining livestock to a friend with a stable tank until you can get these down to zero.

Sorry. Had the Nitrate and Nitrite backwards.

 

[spiderwoman]

Your tank is not cycled if you still have ammonia and nitrite. They need to be zero. A month from the start is basically time that it takes for a tank to cycle and once you have both of the above levels at zero that is when you are safe to start adding fish and inverts in.. SLOWLY. One fish a week and that gives your system enough time to stabilize the bioload.

 

[spiderwoman]

If this is your fish list...
Vlamingi Tang, Yellow Tang, Pajama Cardinal,2 Clowns-mated pair,2 Blue velvet Damsels,4 Blue chromus
In a month old tank, no wonder you have problems with the levels. Too much bioload in a brand new tank.

 

[shaggyblz]

This tank has been established for about 3 years. It was moved a month ago. Everything has been fine until now. Sorry for the lack of info.
It also has quite a few corals and an anemone.
All my shrimp have died the past couple of days also.
I have only added a couple of fish and some hermits and snails.

 

[spiderwoman]

If you used the 3yr old LS when you took over the tank a month ago, the sand bed got disturbed and you are experiencing a cycle. It doesn't really matter how long the tank has been established if everything has been stirred up in a move. The amount of time it was established before the move will give an idea of how much detritus and traped *bad stuff* is in the sand. Using the old sand bed will cause this.

 

[texasmetal]

It's cycling all over again like they said. Find a temporary home for the remaining livestock until it stabilizes.

 

[shaggyblz]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. I dont have anyone to lend the rest of my livestock while the tank adjusts. Will the coral be ok?
Also, I moved an anemone yesterday. I read that, if disturbed, they can release toxins in to the water. Is this true? Could this have caused the fish to die? Thanks again.

 

[errattiq]

If you can't move them, I know I may get flamed for saying this, but throw in some nitrite/ammonia detoxifier. Some people will say don't add anything to your tank!!! But in this case I'd opt for saving the livestock. The bottle is the same stuff that removes chlorine/chloramine from new tank water HOWEVER make sure it says that it detoxifies nitrite and ammonia on the bottle and follow the directions closely.

 

[shaggyblz]

That was actually the first thing I did this morning. The fish left in the tank are more lively and eating now. This may have helped or may be just a coincidence. Thanks. I still have a lot to learn about marine tanks and you guys have helped tremendously. Just sucks that fish dieing is what it takes for me to learn. Thanks again.

 

[teresaq]

sound like the oxygen levels dropped out on your tank. what kind of flow do you have in there. you might need to do some nice water changes every few days to get things back in order
T