Having trouble with Ammonia!

[jaime0jerry]

We've had a saltwater tank for probably 2 years now. Had a 55 Gallon tank. PH started to go outragous and we lost like 7 fish. Could not get the PH down at all so we decided to get a new tank ( It was needed). We got a 72 Gallon tank. It's all up and everything was testing great. We have Yellow tang, Hippo Tang, 2 hermit crabs, and a spotted Diamond Goby that survived the old tank. Transfered them to new tank and they are doing good. Now all of the sudden the ammonia has gone haywire. So far it doesn't seem to be hurting the fish, but the crabs have since died. We tried putting the stuff in that removes ammonia - not even touching it. Did a 20 Gallon water change...Nothing. If anyone has any ideas Please help me. I am also wondering if this could be the new tank cycling???? I've never had this, even when we started up the 55 gallon.
Jaime

 

[deejeff442]

you left alot out to help you.
weird for ph to be high .are you sure the test kit is good?
did you cycle the new tank before you transfered the fish?
ammonia blockers like you used will still show the ammonia level to be high but what they do is block it from affecting the fish so you get false readings.adding any chemicals will usually hurt inverts.
ammonia usualy only last a few days 3-5 then converts to nitrites which dont hurt the fish nearly as much as the ammonia.
keep testing and doing water changes.
whats in the tank as far as filtering?lr,hob filters?

 

[jaime0jerry]

Well, the test kits are good. What we did when we set it up was; we used some of the old tank water.?. ( My husband said that would be fine.) Let it sit for 2 days, tested it and put the fish in. As for the filter, hubby says we have a magnum filter.

 

[deejeff442]

magnum filter? is that a hang on or a canister? not sure what that is.water from the old tank to the new one is fine(really no benifit over new mixed water) but now you have me confused.by saying the water sat for two days .you meant sat with no water movement?like no powerheads?that will make the oxygen in the water delete and bring up the ph no doubt.but i really dont know the whole timeline of the transfer.
i really cant help with the lack of info. sorry

 

[wilioli]

you can get a lot of help here -- trust me -- but gonna have to give more details as previous poster said. What is the time period between the transfer and now? You mentioned two day of the water 'sitting' there, and then it tested fine -- what were the different things u tested for?
What did you transfer? Just the fish? live rock? Sand? How much live rock do you have?

 

[gemmy]

Can you describe the transfer in full detail? That way we can help you.