Dead fish

[Sunshineincolorado]

I am fairly new to reefing. My phosphate levels were perfect until about two months ago. After several water changes my levels were still higher than I would have liked so I purchased a GFO product and used it. Within a few days I had four fish die. I pulled out the GFO. I read more about it and thought that maybe I had used it improperly so I tried it again this week as I was still having issues getting my phosphate levels down. I only used half of what was recommended on the instructions, again I lost 5 fish in three days. I'm heart broken. I have been working so hard on my tank especially this last month. Now my corals are looking a bit sad. I change out my filters weekly, my socks daily, water changes every week. Last week did 5% every other day. I'm at a loss. In tears. Any advice?

 

[Cell]

Did you purchase the GFO from BRS? This is the BRS forum. What gfo product are you using?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Hard to believe that adding GFO would kill so many fish, but not really any info provided in your post.

Would need to know tank size, age, parameters, how do you acclimate and do you QT and how many fish added at once? Need a lot more info to be able to help.

 

[Spare time]

I don't see how GFO could kill fish unless maybe you didn't rinse it at all and the hot water and dust hit the fish (which seems extremely unlikely).

Sounds more like disease if anything

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Gfo can kill corals but don’t think for fish. You need to explain how you used it. Only think would maybe you didn’t clean it at all and that the fine dust may have caused it?

 

[Bulk Reef Supply Verified Sponsor]

Like others have mentioned, quick reductions in phosphate is usually linked more to coral mortality/stress than fish mortality/stress.

I agree with @Spare time that this sounds like fish disease more than an issue with the GFO you're using. Diseases like velvet or brook can kill within hours and is very contagious within the aquarium.