Perhaps you are not aware - there are a group of people who give advice here on R2R about fish disease there is a hashtag to call them. So - it's not uncommon for multiple people from this group of I believe 6 or 8 people to answer. And in general we agree 95% of the time. Just so you're aware.
I didn't add them at the same time. I added them at 6am on the day I added fish at 6pm. LFS and multiple experienced reefers said that would be okay.
Curious - did you post this on another thread? Are there other fish in the tank? Did you treat them with medications before? Were they shipped or did you pick them up from an LFS? If you look at my signature - there is a link on a number of questions that help us help you
www.reef2reef.com
Correct. I did not know about another thread. FYI - Both Dr. Tims and Fritz also have protocols for adding fish and bacteria on day 1. Whether a lot of people agree with that or not - is not the question. I tend (in setting up a new tank) - to add bacteria on day 0 - and add fish on day 1. Which is also not strictly following the instructions. I was merely posting that the product he used - lists his method as an option. By the way - IF one decides to do this - of course one would not add an entire bio load to a tank. It's a method of adding fish slowly. Thats why the size of the tank is important. If it was a goldfish bowl - that would be a problem - if it was a 300 gallon tank - with 2 clowns it would not be an issue with or without bacteria IMHO.
We're you one of these who gave advice other then wait for the cycle to be completed?
I'm not sure which thread you're talking about - this one or another one. I stated - There are products which allow fish and bacteria to be added on day 1. Thats true.
Yes there is. Look above for a link
This is very informative and helpful thank you so much for the assistance.
My opinion is quite strongly - that assuming the OP followed the instructions on the Fritz bottle, and had the fish in a let's say a 15-20 gallon aquarium - there should be no problem. Again - assume adequate flow, that the tests he's posted are correct, and etc - the bacteria etc - are not what are causing his problem. Thats my opinion. I read through the debate on the other thread - and it's not point in re-addressing some of the points already made there - the question here is what's hurting his fish. IMHO - it's not bottled bacteria and dry rock - based on the data presented.
So this is new 'news'. The fact the the ammonia 'spiked' - means it wasn't <0.2 ppm or 0.3, Having said that - the 'near the alert level' - would be unlikely to cause this issue - on a short-term basis. The fact that the 'spike' - if there was one - happened when you fed the fish - COULD mean you fed them 'too much'. Though I support the method of adding fish and bacteria on day 1 - there is a point to holding back feeding, etc some for the first couple days. As I believe @brandon429 would suggest - the likelihood is a possible disease as #1, poor fish quality / stress as #2 and since you mentioned the ammonia spike - #3 would be related to that. But it's doubtful - knowing the research on how much free ammonia clownfish generally tolerate. IF one is going to use the method of bacteria and fish on day 1 - I think it's extremely important to be very frequently measuring. If I had noticed a 'spike' - I would have done an immediate water change (using one of the calculators),
I guess spike is the wrong term. It never went above alert. I waited 24 hours and fed very little. Both fish ate everything I offered. I did do a water change. Based on your response and others it sounds more like the fish had a bacterial infection when I got it and I didn't treat it rather then a problem with the cycling.
You are 100% right. There's an entire study proving Turbo Starts' ability to keep Ammonia at safe to 0 levels for weeks. I follow the data and also took in expert advice. I respect you're opinion and for not completely attacking me. At this point, I did what I did and I just now need to know what to do for the one of two clowns that isn't looking well.
These fish were put into an incomplete cycle tank and suffered ammonia poisoning. They may survive or may not but certainly will have residual affects from this shortening life spans. This is evident by your admission to an ammonia spike after adding the fish. The 3ppm nitrates reading is irrelevant because of the error rate in test kits. Your tank was beginning to cycle and grow nitrifying bacteria but you rushed the process and hurt the fish. Learn from the mistake.
He did eat and looked normal. The other Clown is looking great.
