Problem with new tank...fish dying

[miss-keeto]

So I set up my 60 gal tank. Everything is working good, followed all directions, got water tested....perfect. Put my first batch of fish (damsels) in to start cycling my tank. Within 10 hrs they were dead. Went back to the store and told them the problem also retested water which was fine still. The dying would lay near the bottom of the tank and look like they were gulping. Store owners wife said it might be an aeration problem to move my filter output jet near water surface to create movement...done. Put in another batch of damsels dead within 12 hrs.

So I spoke with the owner. He said it didn't sound like an aeration problem. Which I didn't think as it's a 60 gal tank you would think they would last longer than that before the water was depleted of O2. So he suggested I buy this special filter to put in my filter. He said it will filter out any toxins that might be present in my water. Does this sound right? I had another store tell me that I should have my water sent out and tested.

Now I used tap water to fill tank. But I know others that did the same and they were fine. Didn't use any cleaners on the tank prior and it was bought new.

Ideas? It's so hard to figure out what to do. I don't want to put anymore fish in until I think the tank is okay.

Thanks everyone!
Lee Ann

[Reefing Madness]

You should not cycle your tank with fish. It has to go through its own cycle, Ammonia, Nitrites then Nitrates. You can use tap water if its necessary, but test it for those things. Phosphates are usually present in high quantities in tap water, but thats another issue that won't kill fish.
Please read this.
Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - Cycling Live Rock

[miss-keeto]

Okay.

Here's another weird thing. I just turned the light on and there is a clearish silicone like substance all over my rocks.



Please tell me this is the problem and it's an easy one to solve!

[miss-keeto]

You should not cycle your tank with fish. It has to go through its own cycle, Ammonia, Nitrites then Nitrates. You can use tap water if its necessary, but test it for those things. Phosphates are usually present in high quantities in tap water, but thats another issue that won't kill fish.
Please read this.
Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - Cycling Live Rock

Okay. I understand. I was told that damsels could be used and help speed up the cycling and are hardy enough to survive the changes. But apparently mine weren't even hardy enough to survive the night.

Oh and I just used 2 small live rocks that were already cured and cycled. The rest of the rock is lace rock....

Thanks for your help. It's hard to figure out when you ask 3 people the same question and get 3 different answers..

Lee Ann

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Hi Lee Ann. Welcome to the hobby. Sorry to hear you're off to a rough start. I wouldn't be so quick to listen to your fish store's advice. At least not without checking with other hobbyists like found here on Reefland. Check out this article: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium. I've followed the process listed in that link with no issues. It's a bit of a read but the information is golden, IMO.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Also, list all of the equipment you have, ones you plan on getting and what kind of tank you plan to keep (fish only, or reef). That way, we can get a better idea on which direction to send you in. The film you see could be bacterial or fungal. Maybe you can siphon the stuff out?

[Reefing Madness]

Okay.

Here's another weird thing. I just turned the light on and there is a clearish silicone like substance all over my rocks.



Please tell me this is the problem and it's an easy one to solve!

Thats a phosphate problem, and can be fixed. Using a phosphate reactor and remover.

[miss-keeto]

Thats a phosphate problem, and can be fixed. Using a phosphate reactor and remover.

Even though I've only had my tank up and running for under a week? Would this kill the fish?

The set up I have right now is a 60gal tank, Fluval 305, Heater, 20lb lace rock and 5lb live rock. Live sand and crushed coral substrate. I would like to have a peaceful tank where I can have anemone, starfish and a few fish.

The "stuff" on the rocks doesn't seem to be spreading. Should I scrub them off, replace them and continue to let the tank run?

Thanks everyone for all your help. I've called local saltwater fish stores and no one can figure out what it is. Some say I shouldn't have used tap water. But there are tons of tanks out there started on tap water.

Lee Ann

[Reefing Madness]

Even though I've only had my tank up and running for under a week? Would this kill the fish?

The set up I have right now is a 60gal tank, Fluval 305, Heater, 20lb lace rock and 5lb live rock. Live sand and crushed coral substrate. I would like to have a peaceful tank where I can have anemone, starfish and a few fish.

The "stuff" on the rocks doesn't seem to be spreading. Should I scrub them off, replace them and continue to let the tank run?

Thanks everyone for all your help. I've called local saltwater fish stores and no one can figure out what it is. Some say I shouldn't have used tap water. But there are tons of tanks out there started on tap water.

Lee Ann

Yes there are tons of tanks out there using tap water, I was one of them, thats why I know what you have. Its like a sponge growing, and it will continue to grow as long as you use tap water with alot of phposphates in it. Most will use a phosphate remover to keep that at bay. And if you want corals you will have to use it, because most corals odn't like that much phposphate. It will no tharm the fish, its just makes everything unsightly.

[Reefing Madness]

Even though I've only had my tank up and running for under a week? Would this kill the fish?

The set up I have right now is a 60gal tank, Fluval 305, Heater, 20lb lace rock and 5lb live rock. Live sand and crushed coral substrate. I would like to have a peaceful tank where I can have anemone, starfish and a few fish.

The "stuff" on the rocks doesn't seem to be spreading. Should I scrub them off, replace them and continue to let the tank run?

Thanks everyone for all your help. I've called local saltwater fish stores and no one can figure out what it is. Some say I shouldn't have used tap water. But there are tons of tanks out there started on tap water.

Lee Ann

Yes there are tons of tanks out there using tap water, I was one of them, thats why I know what you have. Its like a sponge growing, and it will continue to grow as long as you use tap water with alot of phposphates in it. Most will use a phosphate remover to keep that at bay. And if you want corals you will have to use it, because most corals don't like that much phosphate. It will not harm the fish, its just makes everything unsightly.

[Reefing Madness]

And your fish are dieing because you put them in a tank that hasn't cycled yet.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I'm also one who doesn't like using tap water. There's just too many nasty chemicals/ heavy metals that could be in there. I consider it like playing Russian roulette, but that's just my own personal feeling. I also agree that cycling a tank without fish is a better approach. Cycling with live fish is a dated practice and IMO, doesn't do much toward making the cycle go any faster. 25 lbs of rock is no where near enough either. For a 60g tank, 60-120 lbs is the suggested amount. I would have about 90 lbs if it were up to me. If you're using bio media in the fluval, you could lessen the amount of rock in the display ( but not by much). Running a canister filter might get you by but if you plan on housing an anemone or other sensitive invertebrates, that type of filtration might not be adequate. You didn't list a skimmer. Do you plan on using one? Right now, the most commonly used filtration method is sufficient amounts of live rock and a well performing skimmer. With the use of those two, there's no real need for a canister filter ( except for additional flow, running carbon and removing particles from the water. )

[Marinefish]

Are you using water conditioner?