What Might be the problem?

[jwhiteuwc]

Hello all,
First off, I would like to say that this place is the best place to gather info, thanks to everyone.
I have a slight problem (I think) with my 55gal Saltwater Aq. I recently lost a Hippo Tang (quit eating, lost it's color and died), now some of my Damsels are acting the same way (not eating). I usually feed them flake food, and once a day frozen brine shimp, which they usually attack as soon as it hits the water, now they don't eat anything. The fish don't have any sort of spots on them or any discoloration at this point, but if they don't start eating they're going to die.
I would like to add more fish and sort of redo the tank. I would like to add Live Rock and switch my Cruched Coral over to Live Sand, but I don't think I wanna try this until I figured out whats going on with my tank.
Heres some info on my take.
55gal
Fish only
1 - Small Blue Damsel (doing OK)
2 - Precular Clowns (seems to be doing OK)
1 - Bigger Black Damsel sort (This is the one not eating) I can't remember the exact name of this fish, but he's mostly black and has a stripe of florecent blue on him.
Salinity is at 1.022
PH = 8.3
Nitrate = 8.0ppm
Nitrite = 0
Amonnia = 0
Brown algae grows pretty good, no green algae (had to use a phosperos sponge about 1 year ago)
No live rock or live sand.
Hang on filter
Protein Skimmer (just added)
I also had my water tested at the local pet shope and they said the water is normal.
I've had this tank for about 2-3 years now.
Thanks everyone in advance.:help:

 

[beth]

The nitrates are TOO HIGH, especially for tangs. I strongly feel that tangs are one fish that have little tolerance for nitrates [or, perhaps its the type of "environment" that you find nitrates in].
Tangs also don't do that well in FO tanks. Also, you really need to enhance the diet you are providing the fish. Variety is very important and higher quality foods is a must. I would suggest trying several frozen foods and some [limited] high grade dry foods. You may want to also consider offering your fish fresh seafood. If you are interested, check out the FAQ Thread at the top of this forum. There is a seafood fish recipe there. As for Tangs, these fish need vegetarian foods for a good portion of their diet. They are also grazers and require grazing opportunities nearly every waking moment---which, obviously, is not available in a FO tank because FO tanks generally do not produce desirable algaes. Hobbyists who keep tangs much provide them with swimming room [125gal min], high quality water conditions with only trace nitrates or, better, no nitrates, and plenty of vegetarian foods and grazing opportunities. I would not add any more tangs to your tank until you are further along in hobby exp. That’s just good advise for you, not meaning to be insulating.
Now, as to your tank, I would wager that you have an undergravel filter, a canister filter or perhaps a wet-dry. Do you?
Get your own test kits and test your own water....it is a MUST if you are going to progress in this hobby. Selifert makes top test kits.
You can make the changes to your tank if you take care and plan it out. I would highly recommend that you do make those changes before proceeding with getting more fish.

 

[jwhiteuwc]

Thanks for the advice. I've had this tank for about 3-4 years now and I do have my own test kit. I just wanted to have a store test my water just in-case my results are off.
I plan on creating a Deep Sand Bed later this month with Live Sand then getting some live rock too.
I have one of those hang on filters, you know the ones you can get from Wal-Mart. It hangs on the back of the fish tank and runs the water through the filters and then back into the water. Probably should get a canister filter, but I heard they are nitrate traps.
I also have borrowed a Clinical Refractrometer from Work and noticed that my swing arm Salinity tester is way, way off. I tested the water with the Refractromenter and it said it was 1.010, when I tested it with my swing are it said it was 1.022. Though this Refracrometer is a Clinical one, it should be more acurate then my sing arm, so I've begun to slowing raise the Salinity in my tank.
Thanks for all the advice, you're not insulting, the info was great. I'm glad to know that I need to do a few things more, like better diet (I've been purchasing the expensive dry foods, and brine shrimp since i've been in the hobbie) just realised that I needed to provided grazing grounds for my fish the other day.

 

[jwhiteuwc]

Any good books that you'd recommend?
Why are the Nitrates too high? I heard that Nitrates in the 8-10 area is normal. Why in the world would the Pet Store tell me the water tests fine if the nitrates were to high?
Just curious, some say 8-10 are fine, some don't, just wondering what the truth is. Possibly point me in the direction of a good book.
Thanks again.

 

[jwhiteuwc]

Thank you very much. I checked them out on Amazon, and have purchase some of them. You never know what to purchase so that's why I asked.
I currenlty do not have any Inverts, but wish to. I'll read up first then make the purchases.
Thanks again.