HELP!

[Zatar1974]

In March I got back into the hobby after a 10 year lay off. I set up two 20 gal quarantine tanks (one for fish and one for corals), in anticipation of stocking my Red Sea Max S-650. The water parameters for all the tanks were pretty good except one of the quarantine tanks have stayed cloudy for 5 months... I use a separate canister filter for each of the 20 gal quarantine tanks. I felt sure the fish quarantine tank was ready to accept fish. I went on vacation to Florida and caught some tropicals (5 blue Chromis, an Atlantic blue tang, a small ribbon fish (drum), and a small brown Hamlet. Put them into the one quarantine tank that was clear with good parameters...they initially were all eating...the next morning they were all dead. Clearly something with the water. Any ideas? In 5 months I had not put any food into the tank. Could the new influx of fish cause the Ammonia to spike? I am at a loss on what to do next. Change all the water and start a new cycle? Thanks for any words of wisdom. Dave

 

[Ippyroy]

Seems like a lot of fish for a small tank. I think you had a large ammonia spike. Use an ammonia alert badge and have Prime available before doing it again.

 

[Zatar1974]

Thanks much. My ammonia alert badge was showing low ammonia...I don't get it.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Thanks much. My ammonia alert badge was showing low ammonia...I don't get it.

I would test before doing it again and start out with one or two fish at most and then build up. I think that is way too many fish to put in the tank to start out. You probably were fine at the time you put them in. But the bacteria could not handle that many new fish added at one time in that size tank.

Welcome to the group! You are in the right place because there is so much help, friends and fun here.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have low faith in badges but it would be obvious with this amount of fish in a 20 gallon, the bioload has to have been spiking, and unless you were cleaning/changing filters frequently - It became toxic.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Any Ammonia is NG!

 

[Zatar1974]

I would test before doing it again and start out with one or two fish at most and then build up. I think that is way too many fish to put in the tank to start out. You probably were fine at the time you put them in. But the bacteria could not handle that many new fish added at one time in that size tank.

Welcome to the group! You are in the right place because there is so much help, friends and fun here.

Thanks much.

 

[KingTideCorals]

I would most likely agree with all references above... I am guessing most likely extreme ammonia levels in the tank is what caused the mass perishing.