HELP

[shartpants007]

I feel like after that much time, the chlorine would be gone anyway, but did you ever dechlorinate the water? When did you check the salinity? Did the clownfish look healthy at the store?

 

[msummers4176]

Oh ok… this is puzzling no idea what’s causing it

I dont either I don't want to continue to being the great fish murderer

 

[2021 reefer]

I dont either I don't want to continue to being the great fish murderer

Excessive ammonia maybe??? Not sure if they would dye that quickly tho… maybe some kind of chemical poisoning? Or maybe u worked on the tank with not reef safe sunscreen on or lotion? Again not sure if the fish woulda died that quickly

 

[msummers4176]

That’s unfortunate but maybe you should buy some test kits?

I have the test kits

 

[2021 reefer]

I have the test kits

Oh I thought they were home made somehow. Which test kits?

 

[msummers4176]

Oh I thought they were home made somehow. Which test kits?

the API saltwater test kit that test ph, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrites 5 ml test tube for testing with the drops

 

[msummers4176]

You said you also used home test kits, and the levels were 'good' right? Do you have any numbers? What was the salinity?

1.025

 

[2021 reefer]

the API saltwater test kit that test ph, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrites 5 ml test tube for testing with the drops

The api test for ammonia and nitrate is sometimes very inaccurate. Maybe try salifert?

 

[msummers4176]

I feel like after that much time, the chlorine would be gone anyway, but did you ever dechlorinate the water? When did you check the salinity? Did the clownfish look healthy at the store?

wr used distilled water when we set up and added oceans nature salt and live sand oveans nature and we have live frag rock in there salinity has remained constant for 3 weeks about at 1.025

 

[msummers4176]

The api test for ammonia and nitrate is sometimes very inaccurate. Maybe try salifert?

is this another type of test kit?

 

[2021 reefer]

is this another type of test kit?

It’s more accurate. It’s a color test tho

 

[Rmckoy]

I don’t think test kit matters .
even excessively high ammonia wouldn’t kill a fish in less than minutes .

sounds like either poisoning , or electric shock .
but you would feel the tingle or zap if there were little stray voltage
Little stray voltage , I wouldn’t imaging it would kill a fish that fast .
leads me to lean more towards poisoning .
what kind of salt ?
Have you or anyone added anything to the tank ?

 

[Rmckoy]

Is the time frame exact ?
What was the fish’s health like prior to adding ?
Was he swimming in the bag while being drip acclimated ?
Curious how big the bag was to be able to acclimate for that long .
To drip acclimate in a bucket ,
You are able to see the fish swim on notice if it’s sick or extremely stressed .
or even almost dead

 

[reefer5076]

I’m no expert, just cycled my first tank right around the same time as you and just added fish (6) from my old tank with no issues. I didn’t take exact dates because I was going on test results not time.. Used the same api tests as you and Dr Tims one and only to get everything started. I don’t have any ideas but here’s some pics of my test results for reference...... if yours are similar maybe look elsewhere for an issue. I also used RODI water which is recommended .......
Hope that helps, good luck

 

[MaxTremors]

Do you have kids that could’ve put something in the tank. Have you sprayed any aerosols around the tank (particularly any insecticides)? Have you thoroughly washed your hands before putting them in the tank? Was the tank new when you set it up or was it used? Just trying to think of ways that poisons/contaminants could’ve gotten into the tank. Also, is the tank well oxygenated, is your water cloudy?

 

[msummers4176]

Do you have kids that could’ve put something in the tank. Have you sprayed any aerosols around the tank (particularly any insecticides)? Have you thoroughly washed your hands before putting them in the tank? Was the tank new when you set it up or was it used? Just trying to think of ways that poisons/contaminants could’ve gotten into the tank. Also, is the tank well oxygenated, is your water cloudy?

water is not cloudy tank was a freshwater tank but we bought all new equipment for saltwater setup my kids are all 14 and above so they know better

 

[shartpants007]

water is not cloudy tank was a freshwater tank but we bought all new equipment for saltwater setup my kids are all 14 and above so they know better

That's really weird. I'm not an expert, but I can't think of what could possibly cause that unless the fish was already on the brink of death and, by happenstance, died as soon as you put him in. This probably won't help, but can I see a picture of the tank just for a better idea of the setup?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Is your tank actually cycled? I am nearly 2months in to a fishless cycle adding all Dr timms does not mean your tank is ready, maybe possible poisoning high nitrates and nitrites

 

[Jivatma]

While not necessarily the best way to do it, even a clownfish should be okay in an uncycled tank.

By chance, how are the snails doing?

If you know the normal tests are "good" and that everything should be ready for fish, then the only thing left in my mind would be water quality or fish health. Big box stores typically have a return policy, so if its not too late, you may be able to exchange him for another one. It sounds heartless but this is one way to check for sure if it was a bad fish, or a bad tank.

Maybe take a water sample to the store and see if they can test the water? Your salinity tester may be bad and it might not be 1.025 is also another thought.

If its none of these things, a fish keeling over that quickly leads me to think something really bad in water like poison or stray voltage.