ok - so I ran out of some tests, but had LFS test everything before adding the 2 clowns (both died, I thought brooklynella, but maybe not) -- then I had them test again before the damsels.... tests as follows
Amm - 0 (LFS tested a little over 0 after clownfish death, but I thought it looked like 0, they said it was slightly above 0, still enough to kill? i don't know)
NitrItes - 0
NitrAtes - (looked like 0 but maybe a little higher, not over 5)
Salinity (I test, has held steady around 1.025)
pH - 8.0 - 8.3 (my tests test different than LFS, somewhat)
I tested ammonia the past two days, reading of 0 (maybe a little above, but not over 0.25, I think that is the next level up)
I treated the tap water with PRIME by Seachem, would mix it (salt and treated water) and let it sit out for a few days. I did use some Seachem marine buffer for pH since I had problems, but ingredients seem like baking soda, and some other elements, I don't think would be harmful (never treated the tank directly, did water changes to bump the pH up when it was testing low).
Another intersting thing, before I got clownfish, I bought two turbo snails, 3 nassarius snails, and 3 blue-leg hermit crabs, and they are all fine.
I'm getting a test kit tomorrow, but was looking at Saltwater Aquarium Test Kit, from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals - i think most people on here think it isn't too accurate - but, probably all I can afford now - it'll be good enough just to be able to do tests at home, right?
So, I think that is it. I am just really frustrated - the other damsel seems healthy, so we'll see.
answers to some questions...
Acclimation - no I didn't drip acclimate, but It was a two hour process adding 1/4 cup water to the bag 4 times, dumping some water, then doing it another 4 times...
Ich - I don't see the signs of ich really at all, i could be wrong, but have seen ich on freshwater when i worked at wally world, and what I saw on clowns, didn't look like it, and the damsels didn't have anything, just the one had one spot, which I think was too big to be ich, thought it was a sore..
Contaminate - Muprh, I'm no expert, but from researching/reading - I really think something may be in the tank - the amquel though will just take care of ammonia, right? and can you treat with livestock in it?
I'll start buying RO water in gallons, I guess - or see if ***** has it, and ask if they test it using TDS meter (that right?)
Adding three fish - I was a little scared, kind of got talked into it by LFS, said 3 would be fine, I was worried about ammonia, but seems to test at 0, unless I have bad test kit.
Bad Livestock - I thought that could have been the issue, have seen dead fish in his tanks, but thought that will happen - but damsels that I bought were in store for a week, all seemed healthy, have never seen ich on the fish though..
so - this is a long post, but I'm really just trying to figure this out - thanks for all the help, I know I must be annoying some people, haha - I was even getting excited, thinking I could answer some posts for people, but maybe I should stop, I thought my reading tons of posts on here had taught me something, but maybe not!!! :notsure:
