Something is not right....

[AlexReeferArm]

So I built a 50 gallon glass aquarium. I had used a GE Silicone 2 and DAP premium silicone. However I realized after reading up on these siliones they were not aquarium safe. So I stripped the edges and replaced the silicone with GE silicone 1. The silicone cured for 2 and a half weeks. I then added the salt water periodically, and added live sand and live rock, this cycled for at least a week and a half with ghost feeding. After I added instant ocean bio spira. Then I added 6 fish, blue chromis, a few hermit crabs, and cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, also mushrooms, zoa's, GSP and a povana. Three of the fish have died over a period of a week. With the last three looking really healthy. The inverts that were put in the tank did not make it, the mushrooms don't look good, and the zoa's never opened along with the gsp, and the povana SPS started bleaching. There is algae growing in the tank. My parameters are as follows.
Nitrate: 0
Amonia:0
Alkalinity: 9
Salinity: 1.024
Phosphates: 0
Temp: 78-79

Please help, I honestly don't know what is going on. Is it the silicone? If it is then wouldn't all my fish have died, and no alage growing? Or is my tank still not cycled after about 2 weeks now with cured live rock, and bio starter?

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[GoVols]

If the tank was cycled you should detect nitrates.

 

[GoVols]

Did you go through the steps of cycling your aquarium? Saw a large ammonia spike followed by nitrite spike then with nitrates? My guess is it's not cycled properly and the ones that are still around are just hardier or were healthier than the other three when they were added. Also did you wipe down the glass after removing the silicone with something to remove any residue from the original silicone? Probably not an issue as you have algae growing but thought I'd ask.

FWIW adding 6 fish at once was probably too quick and your bacteria population might have not been able to handle the load. Best to do additions slowly over the course of weeks to allow your bio filter to play catchup.

#Reefsquad any thoughts?

It was too fast with that many fish and corals should have not been an option on such an young setup.

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[GoVols]

@AlexReeferArm
First off:
Welcome to the Reef 2 Reef, family!!

Don't know about your silicone, but either way, you just went too fast

Please shake it off (don't beat yourself up) as an lesson learned and we "all" have learned the hard way too.

Last week, Got Frontline flea and tick killer in my reef and lost two out of three anemones

Freddie

 

[AlexReeferArm]

Did you go through the steps of cycling your aquarium? Saw a large ammonia spike followed by nitrite spike then with nitrates? My guess is it's not cycled properly and the ones that are still around are just hardier or were healthier than the other three when they were added. Also did you wipe down the glass after removing the silicone with something to remove any residue from the original silicone? Probably not an issue as you have algae growing but thought I'd ask.

FWIW adding 6 fish at once was probably too quick and your bacteria population might have not been able to handle the load. Best to do additions slowly over the course of weeks to allow your bio filter to play catchup.

#Reefsquad any thoughts?

I did about 5 days ago see an amonia spike then then went down to 0 after a day or two. But you are probably right, my tank is still young it just worry's me because of the use of the wrong silicone at one point in time. I thourothor cleaned the galss.

 

[AlexReeferArm]

@AlexReeferArm
First off:
Welcome to the Reef 2 Reef, family!!

Don't know about your silicone, but either way, you just went too fast

Please shake it off (don't beat yourself up) as an lesson learned and we "all" have learned the hard way too.

Last week, Got Frontline flea and tick killer in my reef and lost two out of three anemones

Freddie

Haha thank you, I do agree that cycling is most certainly a major factor in this. I just needed some extra opinions because of that silicone use.

 

[AlexReeferArm]

Did you go through the steps of cycling your aquarium? Saw a large ammonia spike followed by nitrite spike then with nitrates? My guess is it's not cycled properly and the ones that are still around are just hardier or were healthier than the other three when they were added. Also did you wipe down the glass after removing the silicone with something to remove any residue from the original silicone? Probably not an issue as you have algae growing but thought I'd ask.

FWIW adding 6 fish at once was probably too quick and your bacteria population might have not been able to handle the load. Best to do additions slowly over the course of weeks to allow your bio filter to play catchup.

#Reefsquad any thoughts?

How much longer do you think I should wait before adding more fish or corals? I have currently a few red cap mushrooms, a GSP frag, and the three chromis.

 

[GoVols]

Tagging for silicone opinions

 

[Jason Mcdowell]

@GoVols how the heck did you get frontline in your tank;Doctor

 

[GoVols]

@GoVols how the heck did you get frontline in your tank;Doctor

Put hands straight into the sump, right after I applied Frontline Plus to our dogs.

Nems. were dying (melting away) the next day
;Blackeye

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tagging for Silicone Input

 

[Clownfish2]

So I built a 50 gallon glass aquarium. I had used a GE Silicone 2 and DAP premium silicone. However I realized after reading up on these siliones they were not aquarium safe. So I stripped the edges and replaced the silicone with GE silicone 1. The silicone cured for 2 and a half weeks. I then added the salt water periodically, and added live sand and live rock, this cycled for at least a week and a half with ghost feeding. After I added instant ocean bio spira. Then I added 6 fish, blue chromis, a few hermit crabs, and cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, also mushrooms, zoa's, GSP and a povana. Three of the fish have died over a period of a week. With the last three looking really healthy. The inverts that were put in the tank did not make it, the mushrooms don't look good, and the zoa's never opened along with the gsp, and the povana SPS started bleaching. There is algae growing in the tank. My parameters are as follows.
Nitrate: 0
Amonia:0
Alkalinity: 9
Salinity: 1.024
Phosphates: 0
Temp: 78-79

Please help, I honestly don't know what is going on. Is it the silicone? If it is then wouldn't all my fish have died, and no alage growing? Or is my tank still not cycled after about 2 weeks now with cured live rock, and bio starter?

I’m not knowledgeable on the silicone, but I do think the number of fish added should be slow really depends on the tank size. I’d strive for 1.025-1.026 on salinity for invertebrates. I’d recommend waiting 3 months before adding corals.

In my 110 gallon, I added 2 clowns and waited 3 weeks before adding the next fish.

One time I made the mistake of setting up a frag tank with freshly mixed water and some birospira. I added some coral frags and lost 2/3 of them! Corals need mature water.

 

[AlexReeferArm]

Thanks

I’m not knowledgeable on the silicone, but I do think the number of fish added should be slow really depends on the tank size. I’d strive for 1.025-1.026 on salinity for invertebrates. I’d recommend waiting 3 months before adding corals.

In my 110 gallon, I added 2 clowns and waited 3 weeks before adding the next fish.

One time I made the mistake of setting up a frag tank with freshly mixed water and some birospira. I added some coral frags and lost 2/3 of them! Corals need mature water.

Thank you so much, really appreciate it man.

 

[Dom]

Then I added 6 fish, blue chromis, a few hermit crabs, and cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, also mushrooms, zoa's, GSP and a povana. Three of the fish have died over a period of a week. With the last three looking really healthy. The inverts that were put in the tank did not make it, the mushrooms don't look good, and the zoa's never opened along with the gsp, and the povana SPS started bleaching. There is algae growing in the tank.

Please help, I honestly don't know what is going on. Is it the silicone? If it is then wouldn't all my fish have died, and no alage growing? Or is my tank still not cycled after about 2 weeks now with cured live rock, and bio starter?

From your post, it sounds as if you've added everything all at one time. That you have algae growth would suggest to me that this is true.

When you add all that at one time, you create a bio load that the tank can't manage. Ammonia goes up. Nitrates go up. This creates an unlivable environment for your inhabitants.

I just completed a 33 long build. It took 3 weeks to properly cycle. Upon completion, I added ONE Valentino puffer which was in QT since OCTOBER. I'm shopping for something else to put in the tank, but you can be sure that whatever it is, it won't be for 3-6 months.

You have to be patient. What's the expression; "Only bad things happen quickly in this hobby".

 

[Dom]

@AlexReeferArm

Last week, Got Frontline flea and tick killer in my reef and lost two out of three anemones

Freddie

Oh man! How does THAT happen???
Sorry to hear it.

 

[Dom]

I did about 5 days ago see an amonia spike then then went down to 0 after a day or two. But you are probably right, my tank is still young it just worry's me because of the use of the wrong silicone at one point in time. I thourothor cleaned the galss.

I don't think the silicon is your problem. The rate of tank population is.

 

[HB AL]

I wouldn't add anything for a couple months as long as current livestock is growing and looking healthy, just slow down.

 

[AlexReeferArm]

From your post, it sounds as if you've added everything all at one time. That you have algae growth would suggest to me that this is true.

When you add all that at one time, you create a bio load that the tank can't manage. Ammonia goes up. Nitrates go up. This creates an unlivable environment for your inhabitants.

I just completed a 33 long build. It took 3 weeks to properly cycle. Upon completion, I added ONE Valentino puffer which was in QT since OCTOBER. I'm shopping for something else to put in the tank, but you can be sure that whatever it is, it won't be for 3-6 months.

You have to be patient. What's the expression; "Only bad things happen quickly in this hobby".

Yea your 100% right. Just got slightly excited too fast.

 

[Dom]

Yea your 100% right. Just got slightly excited too fast.

Just don't let mistakes discourage you. This is a very rewarding hobby.