New Cycled Tank - Dead Fish...Help!

[Daniel91]

But now that we have ammonium available, why put a fish through it?

While they certainly survive the cycle and are just “cheap” fish it does not mean it is not cruel to put the little creatures through that hell.

 

[LBCoralGuy]

Temperature and salinity. Temperate floating in bag, then drip acclimated in bucket. Chromis are rather hardy.

At the same time, chromis can be rather difficult to keep. I see them fight each other...I can’t tell you how many time I’ve dumped 10-15 into my display, and within months I’m down to 7-10.

 

[shawnriv]

One and only. 2 weeks later

Did you fishless cycle or put a fish in immediately after adding it?

 

[Surfandturf]

Did you fishless cycle or put a fish in immediately after adding it?

Immediately. That's what it was designed for.

 

[shawnriv]

But now that we have ammonium available, why put a fish through it?

While they certainly survive the cycle and are just “cheap” fish it does not mean it is not cruel to put the little creatures through that hell.

I agree. And that's what I did not do. I did a fishless cycle for over two weeks. I used an ammonia source (see my original post) so there is no cruelty. Once the tank was cycled, that's when I added the fish.

 

[Surfandturf]

I agree. And that's what I did not do. I did a fishless cycle for over two weeks. I used an ammonia source (see my original post) so there is no cruelty. Once the tank was cycled, that's when I added the fish.

Yes, but if you don't put enough ammonia in, you delay the cycle. Good news is your tank is cycling now!

 

[shawnriv]

Yes, but if you don't put enough ammonia in, you delay the cycle. Good news is your tank is cycling now!

Well, should I remove the dead fish then? They're still in there since I just noticed they croaked. I was going to do a water change and add another bottle of Bio Spira. It's strange since now I have dead fish, I imagine I should see a spike in ammonia?

 

[Daniel91]

Yes. Remove the dead fish. Decomposing leads to additional ammonia.

What did you use to determine your tank was cycled? Test kits? Did you ever test for phosphates?

 

[shawnriv]

Yes. Remove the dead fish. Decomposing leads to additional ammonia.

What did you use to determine your tank was cycled? Test kits? Did you ever test for phosphates?

I used an API test kit. Phosphates? No, I did not test for this. Once I remove the dead fish, should I be dosing the tank with ammonia to keep the nitrifying bacteria fed?

 

[Surfandturf]

Well, should I remove the dead fish then? They're still in there since I just noticed they croaked. I was going to do a water change and add another bottle of Bio Spira. It's strange since now I have dead fish, I imagine I should see a spike in ammonia?

Me? Yea, I would take them out. That's just me though. I took the damsels that died out of mine. Again, I am not sure what killed them. I waited a week after adding my first fish before adding them. Could have been a spike or just the yellow tang keeping them in the corner. No ammonia spike for me. Why not just ride it out two more weeks and try again?

 

[Surfandturf]

I used an API test kit. Phosphates? No, I did not test for this. Once I remove the dead fish, should I be dosing the tank with ammonia to keep the nitrifying bacteria fed?

You have to add ammonia to dr Tim's. I know nothing of biospira. Without a food source, you just delay the cycle.

 

[shawnriv]

Me? Yea, I would take them out. That's just me though. I took the damsels that died out of mine. Again, I am not sure what killed them. I waited a week after adding my first fish before adding them. Could have been a spike or just the yellow tang keeping them in the corner. No ammonia spike for me. Why not just ride it out two more weeks and try again?

Yeah, that's what I'll probably do. But do I need to dose ammonia? I mean, I'll add another bottle of Bio Spira but then the tank will continue to have zero ammonia and nitrite. Don't you need an ammonia source for a tank to cycle?

 

[shawnriv]

You have to add ammonia to dr Tim's. I know nothing of biospira. Without a food source, you just delay the cycle.

Bio Spira says you can add a fish immediately, but I am always skeptic of the idea. So instead of using a fish for the ammonia source, I used ammonia in a bottle:

https://store.drtimsaquatics.com/Ammonium-Chloride-Solution-for-Fishless-Cycling.html

 

[Surfandturf]

Bio Spira says you can add a fish immediately, but I am always skeptic of the idea. So instead of using a fish for the ammonia source, I used ammonia in a bottle:

https://store.drtimsaquatics.com/Ammonium-Chloride-Solution-for-Fishless-Cycling.html

Were you adding ammonia while you had fish in the tank?

 

[shawnriv]

Were you adding ammonia while you had fish in the tank?

Negative. The ammonia was only for the tan to get going without the fish. Once the tank was done cycling, I stopped using ammonia, did a large water change, then added fish.

 

[Surfandturf]

Negative. The ammonia was only for the tan to get going without the fish. Once the tank was done cycling, I stopped using ammonia, did a large water change, then added fish.

I wonder if the large water change did it. I did two 4 gallon water changes since setting mine up. Small.

 

[Daniel91]

No need to add more bacteria for now atleast.

Take the fish out. Test your levels. Test phosphates next - your dry rock might be leaching this and at a higher level it’s harmful for fish and corals.

 

[Surfandturf]

No need to add more bacteria for now atleast.

Take the fish out. Test your levels. Test phosphates next - your dry rock might be leaching this and at a higher level it’s harmful for fish and corals.

Are you using rodi water for your salt and top off?

 

[PDR]

Almost positive they died from disease, etc. I don't think there is an issue with your tank.

 

[JBKReef]

Had you been observing the fish? Did they get Ich/velvet? I would suspect a sick fish if it was within a week (and not immediately) after the cycle and checks you did.