My LFS killed my fish

[KingOfPain86]

Earlier this week I did a water change in my 16g IM. As soon as I added the new water my fish went ballistic. Thought it was just stress. The next morning 2 fish were gone and the rest were in rough shape. Did another water change with no improvement. Lost everything except one fish. Had some water left over so I got it tested at another LFS with their specometer or whatever it is the call it. It turns out that the water had chlorine through the roof.

 

[Tahoe61]

None of that really makes any sense? Unless bleach was directly added to the water prior to you purchasing it. How many fish do you/did have have in a 16 gallon tank? Any chlorine found in tap water begins to evaporate off, seems odd to me that there would be enough to outright kill your fish and then still test high enough to be called "through the roof".

 

[TrialandError]

Did you add any dechlorinator before you put it in your tank?

 

[watchguy123]

So was the new water for the fish tank the culprit. Who was the source for the elevated chlorine. Almost sounds like you utilized tap water for the water change. Just need some clarification of where the elevated chlorine came from

 

[reefgeek96]

I think your other lfs is "fibbing" to try to change you into there customer I have used tap water strait into a reef tank when I was in a pinch and it had no affect if the chlorine was high enough to wipe out your tank you would easily smell it

 

[Eienna]

I think your other lfs is "fibbing" to try to change you into there customer I have used tap water strait into a reef tank when I was in a pinch and it had no affect if the chlorine was high enough to wipe out your tank you would easily smell it

I wouldn't necessarily say that...
I would let the store know what your water tester said. Maybe someone new decided to use tap in the saltwater mix rather than RO.

 

[Tahoe61]

I wouldn't necessarily say that...
I would let the store know what your water tester said. Maybe someone new decided to use tap in the saltwater mix rather than RO.

Regardless the water should have not tested off the charts for chlorine from tap water hours or days after purchase, nor should it have suddenly killed off the fish. Chlorine will off gass once it sits for a couple hours and is usually undetectable after 24-48 hours if left standing. Logically the person testing at the alternative LFS either read the test wrong, performed it wrong or lied. Chloramine is a different story. The alternative fish store should have tested for ammonia as well.