New to saltwater fish

[seanman9]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and new to saltwater fish and tanks. I've recently got a new tank and I've got a Auriga butterfly fish, a clown fish, a red banded coral shrimp, skunk cleaner and a purple dotty back. I've also got a anemone with it. I've got a 30+ gallon tank. Water salinity is normal and I've got a protein slimmer and a filtration system with it.
It was fine for the first couple of days and all of a sudden this morning the butterfly looked blackish colour and my banded coral shrimp died. My butterfly is pretty much a goner. Ive QT it but doesn't look like he's going to make it. The other fish seem ok but seems like they are breathing heavily and swims a bit slow. It doesn't seem like they have any fungus infection either so I don't know what is the problem. I hope someone can help and give me some advice. Thank you in advance.
Sean

 

[geoj]

Post up the numbers for
Salinity
Nitrate
Nitrite
Ammonia
Alkalinity
and pH
Do a water change...

 

[seanman9]

Thanks for your reply. I tested the P.H and salinity and they both were fine. I'm just worries about the nitrates and I want to know if those levels are too high, then what do I need to do or buy to balance the problem? I'm at work now so I can't attend to the tank but I did a 1/3 water change this morning.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by seanman9 http:///t/391822/new-to-saltwater-fish#post_3476688
Thanks for your reply. I tested the P.H and salinity and they both were fine. I'm just worries about the nitrates and I want to know if those levels are too high, then what do I need to do or buy to balance the problem? I'm at work now so I can't attend to the tank but I did a 1/3 water change this morning.
How long was the tank up before you added fish? It sounds like you added too many critters too fast, and the good bacteria couldn't keep up...did you test ammonia? What are the nitrate numbers? Nitrates affect the shrimp but fish really don't care and can handle nitrates into the hundreds, inverts like shrimp and anemonies up to 40.
If it is an ammonia spike and you are at work, the water change might hold them until you can get home...I would fake sick and go home myself. The fish tank and critters cost more than a days pay as a rule, and the bigger loss is to stay at work unless it jeopardizes your job. (never put the job at risk, but a days pay is a trade off)

 

[seanman9]

Thanks for the tips guys. I went to buy lots of stuff to fix the tank after work. Luckily my fish were fine after the water change so I suspect something was wrong with the ph. I bought a ammonia tester and it was 0.1-0.2 so seemed normal. I also bought a ph balance solution to raise the ph to 8-8.3 because my ph was 7 which was not good!

 

[geridoc]

If your ammonia was 0.2 after a 1/3 water change, then it was too high, because ammonia should be zero at all times. Ammonia is very toxic to all aquatic organisms. What was the timetable for cycling the tank, and how fast did you add your organisms? You can add Amquel Plus to detoxify the ammonia in the water now, and the tank will still be able to complete its cycle, or you can continue to make water changes to control ammonia. Either way, ammonia must fall to zero before your animals will be safe.

 

[mr. limpid]

First Welcome to site. And I'm sorry to here you are having trouble. Now this is advise so do not take it the wrong way, a 30gal is to small for any butterfly, they need pristine water. You still need to post your prams, like GeoJ said, also add how long has your tank has been running and what type of light do you have?

 

[seanman9]

Thanks a lot with the help guys. Unfortunately my butterfly couldn't make it but I have taken the ammonia levels out and everything else is on the correct levels. The ph is around 7.5 though but I thought it may be because my water temp wasn't cool enough. I just inveted in a water cooler yesterday and I'm going to put some more oh balance stuff I got at the shop as see how it is tonight!

 

[seanman9]

Oh and my tank has only been cycling for a month

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by seanman9 http:///t/391822/new-to-saltwater-fish#post_3477478
Oh and my tank has only been cycling for a month
Way to early for all those fish. I would continue to take test ammonia, nitrates and nitrites until all reads are 0, before adding another fish. Definitely get your PH to 8.2. On your next fish please research what size tank it requires.