I have a serious problem

[Figstr]

Ok, not new to the hobby, but have been out for several years due to life circumstances. In the past I had several salt water and one cichlid tank. My setup: 54 corner with 2 powerheads, Eheim canister filter, PC lighting, with about 60lbs of live rock and roughly a 2" bed of oolithic sand. The tank has been up about 2 months now and was cycling with a damsel. After about 6 weeks I tested the water and all was 0, The PH was a bit low at 7.8, but nothing to worry about since this is a FOWLR.

The day I tested the water was the same day I received a new powerhead and Red Sea in in hydrometer with digitil thermometer. I was running an MJ 1200 but it was too strong for my corner tank and shifted the substrate, leaving a dip in the very front of the tank. Since I was excited about my new toys, I did a real newbi thing and placed the powerhead and hydrometer/thermometer combo in the tank without rinsing. I also reached in and leveled the sand as I was pulling the MJ out and replacing it with another style of powerhead.

The next day the damsel didn't look so good - was swimming strangely, hiding in the LR, and not eating. The next day he was dead. Ok, water change time. I changed out 15 gallons of water, checked everything again and all was fine. I bought a new damsel to test the tank last night and this morning he's already missing. I assume he's dead as I fed him and he never came out.

I know something got into the tank and I need to get rid of it. What's the best way. I assume I need to tear it down and somehow sterilize everything - rock and sand, and equipment. What's the best way as I do not want to get all new.

I apologize for this being so wordy. Thanks all.

 

[FishLipz]

I'd start by putting some carbon in the canister filter if you haven't already. If you do have some in there, change it and run it some more. Do a couple more water changes too. It may have well been something on your hands as something from the new equipment.

 

[Headiesheradon]

+1 on the carbon and change again in 24 hours

 

[miyags]

I'd go with carbon to. Your cycle might have just started?. I wouldn't tear down, I'd just run it fish free for 6 weeks then try again

 

[SaltyReefs]

Have you check your ammonia? Also please give more details on tests performed. Are you using RO/DI water or tap. The more details the better we can help. If basic parameters are on check I would suspect High ammonia levels since you are cycling your tank.

 

[Norcalreefer]

give it some time. It could be many things and if could be something you never even figure out, but gos away over some time. Hopefully the damsel is just hiding really well. I've lost a fish in a tank with only sand it in ha ha. I agree that it would be a good idea to post more details about testing and such. I also think it's quite possible that is was something on your hand. Think about what time of day it was, what where you doing before? Things like that might lead you to something that could have done it.

 

[rajkovich207]

You might also want to look into a poly filter they run from 5-12 depending where you get it. It will change colors according to what it pulls out.

 

[Dumnorix]

Have you thought maybe there is an electrical problem? Voltage in the tank, perhaps?

 

[returnofsid]

I'd stop attempting to cycle with any fish. That only results in suffering, for the fish. If you're sure that you now have NO FISH. Purposely adding ammonia and testing for ammonia, testing immediately and then testing a few hours later, will help you find out how your cycle is going and if your live rock is breaking down ammonia.

 

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[Figstr]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. The test kit is an API liquid kit. The ammonia is bright yellow, indicating 0 ammonia. Nitrates and Nitrites are 0 and PH is 7.8. My Eheim already has carbon in it, but will change it out. The water I'm using is RO water, not RO/DI. I get my water from the Watermill down the street. Yes, I know it's not the best but it's all I have for now. I will be getting an RO/DI unit after the holidays.

 

[Figstr]

You might also want to look into a poly filter they run from 5-12 depending where you get it. It will change colors according to what it pulls out.

Where can I get a poly filter?

 

[cdangel0]

Just out of curiosity - how old is the test kit you're using? An old test kit may no longer be accurate and you may still be in the early stages of your cycle. 1 fish in 54g of water won't really add a lot of nutrients for the bacteria to properly colonize.

 

[Figstr]

Just out of curiosity - how old is the test kit you're using? An old test kit may no longer be accurate and you may still be in the early stages of your cycle. 1 fish in 54g of water won't really add a lot of nutrients for the bacteria to properly colonize.

The test kit expires in 2017. I recently purchased it from Dr. Fosterandsmith.com.

The strange thing is that when the first damsel died I expected a spike in ammonia, but got nothing. The same thing when the 2nd damsel died - no ammonia. So one would assume the tank is cycled.

 

[FishLipz]

This may be a real shot in the dark, but have you looked for a mantis shrimp. I had one for months until I heard the tell tale clicking sounds.

 

[gmoney243]

if you ask me you just pulled a Matrix and dodged 2 bullets with those damsels Neo. damsels are terrors and will attack all incomming fish you add making it hard for them to get acclimated and eating. and of course that carbon thing everyone mentiond alrdy :roll:

 

[Figstr]

This may be a real shot in the dark, but have you looked for a mantis shrimp. I had one for months until I heard the tell tale clicking sounds.

No shrimp. The tank was down for a couple years so all the rock was dead, new live sand, and seeded with 1 LR from LFS that had nothing on it.

 

[cdangel0]

I would check to make sure the tank has fully cycled before adding any more live fish.

Add a jumbo raw cocktail shrimp to the tank - just let it float for a day or 2 and begin testing for ammonia again. With that large a piece of decaying meat the existing bacteria will not be abel to keep up and you'll see a spike in ammonia and then nitrite. If you don't see an ammonia spike I'd take a water sample to someone else to test just to be certain - bad test kits exist, might as well make sure the little things are in order before worrying about potentially bigger issues.

 

[Figstr]

I would check to make sure the tank has fully cycled before adding any more live fish.

Add a jumbo raw cocktail shrimp to the tank - just let it float for a day or 2 and begin testing for ammonia again. With that large a piece of decaying meat the existing bacteria will not be abel to keep up and you'll see a spike in ammonia and then nitrite. If you don't see an ammonia spike I'd take a water sample to someone else to test just to be certain - bad test kits exist, might as well make sure the little things are in order before worrying about potentially bigger issues.

This was already the next step I planned on taking. I ordered some carbon, poly filter, and grounding probe (just in case as it happend right after I put in the new powerhead). I asked my wife if we had any shrimp last night, but we don't. Looks like I'll be going to the grocery store soon.