New to hobby need help please!!!

saltyinsterlingheights · Mar 10, 2014

I have a 40gal flatback hexagon with a canister filter led lights a uv light and two powerheads. I've had tons of problems with fish dying some my fault before I discovered compatability charts. I have a decent amount of coral mostly simple hardy stuff. My only downfall is I don't think I do water changes as often as I should about once a month. We check the levels weekly and everything tests out ok. Stuff just happens like a recent nitrate spike and four dead fish. I need guidance to keep interest already have wasted lots of money. Tanks been set up for 14 months

nl5882 · Mar 10, 2014

What are parameters? Livestock? How much liverock ?

saltyinsterlingheights · Mar 10, 2014

I have around thirty pounds of live rock, the only fish still alive is my auroura goby and my clown everything is good level wise except for my recent nitrate spike

mike007 · Mar 10, 2014

Most of us do not recommend using a canister filter as they can become nitrate factories If not cleaned very often. Better to have good live rock, skimmer and good circulation. Most nitrates problems are from excess nutrients whether that's from overfeeding, inadequate water changes, poor husbandry etc. Also it is a good idea to quarantine your fish before adding to display tank. Most nitrate problems I see are from overfeeding.

fishroomlady · Mar 10, 2014

it's hard to say what could be causing the fish to die....do they appear healthy and eating? for how long do you have them and then they die? fish can typically handle nitrates so a spike shouldn't cause their demise (it's also important to know what you consider a spike).....how are you adding fish? several at once, one at a time? how much time in between additions? there are so many questions to ask to try and help....you mentioned compatibility - were some killed by other fish?

Reefing Madness · Mar 10, 2014

Gonna need water parameters in order to help out.
PH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Cal
Mag
Phosphates
Temp
SG
Skimmer size?
How many fish did you have in the 40g?
What were those fish?
Do you hear clickiing noises coming from the tank at night?

fishroomlady · Mar 10, 2014

^^+1 these too

saltyinsterlingheights · Mar 10, 2014

My fish inventory did consist of foxface, neon goby, auroura goby, spotted hawkfish, clownfish, a bubble anenome and a sandsifting star fish. The ph was 8.1 ammonia 0 nitrite0 nitrate2.0 calcium 360 salt 23.5 temp80 and I have no skimmer.

saltyinsterlingheights · Mar 10, 2014

And I don't know how much this would contribute to there demise but I failed to mention my powerhead became detached and was blowing sand everywhere while I was at work for about six to seven hours what a mess. Would this of caused the nitrate spike

SchnauzerFace · Mar 11, 2014

saltyinsterlingheights said:
And I don't know how much this would contribute to there demise but I failed to mention my powerhead became detached and was blowing sand everywhere while I was at work for about six to seven hours what a mess. Would this of caused the nitrate spike

Kicking up live sand can release nitrates buried in the substrate. But your most recent readings say your nitrates are at 2.0? That's not anywhere near the danger zone. Even if that should be 20, your fish shouldn't mind nitrates at that level (some corals might though).

Do you have a phosphate test kit?