Help my fish are dying

[jk69ls6]

OK I checked my levels and they are all with in reason but my nirtate is around 15ppm but I kind of expect that after three fish just died. So in the past week I lost 3 fish. This all happened after I added a clown for the lfs. He didn't last long either. So I am guessing that he had something so how do I figure out what is in my tank? All that's left is my one yellow tail damsel. Any ideas?

 

[hagfish]

We need more info. Please provide...
Specific test parameters
How long tank has been set up
filtration (mechanical and biological)
tank size and fish load prior to disaster
water movement

 

[mr_bill]

Also, how long were those three fish in the tank and how were they added?

 

[jk69ls6]

I've had the tank set up for over a year it's 20gal the test #s Ph8.2 Nitrate 15ppm, Nirtrite 0ppm, Amonia .25ppm. There were 4 small fish total and the three that died I had since the tank first cycled. I have been keeping a close eye on my yellow tail damsel but he looks fine no spots or cloudy eyes.

 

[mr_bill]

Hmm, .25 isn't high enough to kill a damsel most of the time. Besides the clown what were the other 2? It's possible the addition of the one clown put your load over it's limit and now it has recovered to what is still an undesirable level. For ammonia 0 is the only level that should be excepted. You've had your tank for a good time frame so this is all old news to you I'm sure, but 4 fish in a 20 gallon is stretching your luck IMO.

 

[hagfish]

I agree that 4 fish may have put you over the limit depending on the types of fish and other things that might increase nutrients.
Since you lost three after a new introduction it could be that there is some disease or parasite in the tank now.
You didn't mention filtration of any kind. I'm also curious about cleanup crew. Hopefully no CC too. If your setup is OK on the cleanup/filtration side then I say wait out this little cycle, get the nitrates down a little while you're waiting, then buy one more fairly hardy fish and see what happens. Be patient of course and give it enough time for the chemicals (especially ammonia) to get down or close to zero.

 

[jk69ls6]

I have a penguin 125 bio wheel and protein skimmer, 30lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand. Clean up crew is 4 zebra hermit crabs 1 orange knuckle and 4 turbo snails. Also have a few mushrooms on the rock.

 

[jk69ls6]

oh and a maxi jet 600 power head

 

[jk69ls6]

Just wondering after a water change how long would you guys recomend before trying to add a fish? Also what would be a good choice anything other than a damsel. If my yellow tail makes it I would think that the tank would be ok right?