fish keep dieing...

[megatron8121]

Hi I just got back into the hobby and started up a 29 gallon tank a few months ago, after cycling I added a damsel and bi color dottyback... After like 2 or 3 weeks they both died and the damsel had popeye. I thought maybe it was just random deaths because my numbers are all perfect...so then I added 2 domino damsels and both had eye problems and died within 3 days.... just a few hours before they died they were fine and eating...then I came in from outside and they were both swimming upright and barely hanging on then died as I watched them...

The only other thing I can tell you is the face area got like pale, I know not a big descrption but any idea whats going on and how to treat? I don't have a QT (am in process of starting one)

The only other living thing I have in the tank is a chocolate chip starfish and some CUC and live rock and sand obviously. Any ideas or ways to help?

 

[Pkunk35]

Sorry about your fish, i suspect that your tank is actually not done cycling and is not mature enough to handle the bioload you are placing on it. This is my guess at least.

Here's more reading on Tank Maturity by Eric Borneman, its really good thread/read:The Building of a Reef (tank)


I have some questions for you: how much live rock? What kind of filtration? Do you dip before you place fish in the tank (understand you don't have a QT, but dipping is very easy and should be done also).

The popeye on the fish i'm thinking is due to poor water quality...not before the fish get in there but afterwards when you start feeding and they start excreting wastes into the tank. The quick deaths also seem to confirm this and i can't think of why else they would be dying (did you get them all at one store?).

Oh and btw, Megatron is awesome.

 

[megatron8121]

Over 40 pounds of live rock, 20 pounds of sand. Don't dip, I wouldn't mind dipping but can never seem to get the PH right.

All the levels are at 0 though still after feedings and everything, PH is 8.0 temp is at 78 constantly w/ reef keeper so there isn't many changes. 5 gallon water changes weekly to keep everything good... Just for some reason they are dieing and dieing right away.

I had a 90 gallon tank and didn't have a fish die in over a year from sickness, then a big ich breakout wiped me out so I just turned that into a freshwater. (had 1 die from wife dropping rock on him)

Freshwater is boring though so wanted to start a saltwater one back up but keep it simple and on the cheaper end which is why I just used the 29, but it's just as frustrating now as it was then. Although atleast it was 3.99 damsels dieing and not expensive fish like it was in the 90.