Problems keeping new fish alive

[bioscot]

The last 4 or 5 fish I have intoduced to my tank have not lasted more then a few weeks. No noticable disease or probems with other fish. All were eating. I have 2 fish a clown and a cardinal that have been with me for 2 years. My soft corals and clam are doing great. no new fish will join them.

I have a 50 gallon, live rock and sand, Ramora protien skimmer and 2 175 mh bulbs.
temp-80-82
ph 8.4
nitrite .02
nitrate under .5
amonia- about .01
salinity 1.025

Any ideas what might be leading to this, is it just bad luck??

scott

 

[2poor2reef]

Hi Scott. Do you have any idea why you have measurable ammonia and nitrite? That doesn't seem right in a two year old tank unless you didn't catch a recent death for a while.

Also, tell us a little about your acclimation technique. Do you check the salinity of the bag water when you acclimate. I am amazed at how low many places run their systems in terms of salinity. It can take quite a while to equalize when you run near nsw levels like you and I are doing. Did you get all the fish from the same source?

 

[naesco]

You should not add further fish until both your nitrites and ammonia are zero.
Once you are there add only one fish because IMO you are stocking too many too quickly.
It is very important to choose a healthy fish. Do not consider buying online as you do not know what you are getting. Even though it appears cheaper it is not.
Please post your top 6 fish preferences and we will be very happy to help you with your choice and give you advice on choosing a healthy fish and the species which you (all of us ) should avoid and all the tricks of keeping them alive.

 

[bioscot]

do you guys have any ideas why I do have measurable amonia and nitrate?? What would your suggestions be. I will also review my acclamation policy!!

 

[slojmn1]

bioscot, my guess is that something is dead in your tank and has created this small spike. I would bet your new fish are dieing from the ammonia and nitrite. I was told by some very reputable folks on fish disease that nitrite is even more dangerous to fish than ammonia. Either way both are no good. I would do some serious water changes, 30% every couple of days for the next week or two and see if you can get the ammonia and nitrite to 0, then test for a few more weeks to see if it creeps back up or not, "the solution to pollution is dilution". If it does creep back up then something is definately amiss in your tank.

 

[naesco]

I think slojmn is right. Do the water change, wait a month for your tank to settle down and add one fish only.