Help/ suggestions with new tank

[Rais]

I'm new to saltwater and have a tank that I think has been going well. I've Been losing a couple blue-green chromis though. My tank's specs are: temp 78 deg. SG 1.025 pH 7.8 (been having trouble raising it) Ammonia: 0 Nitrates:0
The tank's been running for about a month now. I have a percula clown, scooter blenny and a couple chromis, also around 4-5 blue leg hermits and nassarius snails for cleanup. Everything has seemed perfectly healthy and happy except for the chromis that have died.

The ones that died seemed to be stressed for a few days at least before dying. Is there anything else I should be testing for? Could they have just been weak fish?- They seemed pretty healthy when I bought em. I've had 5 of them total, 2 right now. They all have lasted at least 3 days before dying, this last one seemed fine for over around a week and a half. So I'm not thinking its an acclimation error.

I'll admit I rushed the setup a bit, but could it be new tank syndrome still if I have 0 ammonia/nitrates?

[chrisfont23]

Welcome to reefland. A few questions:

- how big is your tank
- what type of water are you using
- what is your acclimation process
- did the tank cycle (ie. ammonia up/down, nitrites up/down, nitrates up/down-ish) ?
- how are you measuring salinity?
- what are your other "chemistry factors" (DKH, Calcium, Phosphates, Magnesium)... this probably doesn't make a big deal but lets make sure you don't have a colossal chemical imbalance

Also - you said you rushed it. One month is a little short, but can you be more specific?

Your PH is OK. Lower PH will have an effect on the calcification of corals. PH swings though are a different story, especially for inverts...which seem to be fine.

Will post more as I think of them - all for now. Brain tired. Others will probably add to this.

[leebca]

Compare what you have done and are doing to the recommendations of this post and you may find some of the things you can improve upon: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

As chris has begun to point out, there are so many details that we might not catch them all, but the above linked post does contain all the details. We usually don't start off a tank with marine fish, too soon as you can see from that linked post.

The pH is too low, which indicates to me that you are not controlling the alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium concentrations, all of which control the pH. You are probably missing the testing of these, at least. You'll find more info on this in about the middle of this post: What is Water Quality. Also, in this post you'll learn more about the difference between a 'new' tank and a 'mature' tank: The Mature Aquarium.

Add to all this is the equipment and things you are using to perform your tests -- kit quality, being out of date/shelf life, and whether or not you use kits rather than dip sticks, etc.

Then lastly, the Chromis group of fishes are pretty common and abundant fishes and not cared for very well by the collector, exporter/importer, and wholesaler, so many come through the system that are likely to die fairly early. This may be ultimately your experience. Still it best to take time and go through all the other issues.

With all the above, there are many possibilities.

[Reefing Madness]

Just losing Green Chromis? They are killing each other. People think they need to be in a school, this is incorrect, as they chase each other to the point of death or a jumping out of the tank. Your going to have one left when its all said and done. Sorry.

[Rais]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

-Chris
It's a 29gal. Thought I added the picture but it must not have worked right =\ For my water I use well water, with stress coat, and add salt. For my acclimation I have been floating bags for around 20 mins to a half hour, then poking small holes in the bags to allow the water to mix slowly. Then I gradually add more/ bigger holes over an hour or so before letting them out.

I never really saw an ammonia/ nitrate spike while cycling the tank. I converted it over from a freshwater tank and I was told some algae and stuff in the filter would die and cause that but it never really happened (I waited just under 2 weeks with only live sand and some live rock in the tank). After that I just added 1 or two fish at a time, and waited a few days before buying anything each time, and those tests still showed 0's each time.

-I measure the salinity with a coralife hydrometer (and yes I check for bubbles).
-I don't have tests for DKH, Calcium, Phosphates, Magnesium, and tbh I'm not really sure what I would do with the results of those tests. I know they have something to do with the pH but I haven't read up on them too much yet.

Thanks for the link's leebca, I've skimmed through them but I'll read em when I get a chance to.

I'm thinking it's probably a combination of poor care of the chromis from collector/dealer and their competition for group dominance.

[chrisfont23]

That's interesting. I converted my tank from brackish to full salt and I never had much of a cycle either. So I gotta' agree with you on that one. I also used tap water (way back when - before I got wise and bought a RO/DI unit). This was all about a year ago.

I am assuming converting you added to a bucket, mixed, let sit overnight etc. Direct salt to tank is obviously bad for the inhabitants. It's possible you just had a bully like Reefing Madness said.

GL

[Rais]

There does seem to be some dominance competition. I just assumed it was schooling at first cause I'd heard they like to be in groups from many sources, mostly youtube vids.

When I mixed the original saltwater there were no tank inhabitants. But I've been mixing salt in a bucket, then only waiting around an hour or so. What makes it better to wait overnight? I was under the impression that it was important to add it while the new water was still close to the tank temp.

On that note should I just keep newly mixed saltwater in a bucket overnight w/ a heater in it?

[leebca]

You'll find the best guidance on water changes and mixing of new salt water in this post: How to Make a Successful Water Change

After mixing for no less than 2 days, just loosely cover (to keep out dust/dirt). It will keep for a few days like that.

[Rais]

Thanks, that helps.

[Rais]

Well, as a follow up, it seems the chromis were dying due to weak fish or dominance competition. No fish have been added since my last post and they are still doing good. I'm left with 2 chromis and one obviously looks like the dominant one, and the other looks weaker. Doesn't seem to be any harassment going on anymore anyway.