HELP ME please

[austinw150]

I've been reefing for about 2 yrs now. Ive always had an extremely hard time keeping fish alive. I currently have 2 tanks setup (90 and 20 gallons) For two yrs I've killed and killed and killed fish. (you would hate to see a fish list of everything I've lost). I feel comfortable keeping tanks and just about any coral I want, but I can not for the life of me seem to keep fish alive. Some I lose within the first couple days, and sometimes they make it a few months and I just find them dead. Im begging someone help me with this problem.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

A picture of the tank will help a lot. First general thoughts are possibly disease, or else improper stocking with aggressive fish or fish meant for larger tanks, lack of rockwork and hiding spots, low oxygen, etc....

 

[austinw150]

A picture of the tank will help a lot. First general thoughts are possibly disease, or else improper stocking with aggressive fish or fish meant for larger tanks, lack of rockwork and hiding spots, low oxygen, etc

I could post a few pics. I just recently set up my 90 so waiting on it to cycle. Ive had my issues with diseases and parasites but have gone with purchasing pre QTd fish and upgraded my UV to try to combat it. Ive also gone thru 2 complete fallow periods. Ive tried to pick hardy and peaceful fish, but somehow I just cant seem to keep them alive. Maybe acclimation? Maybe not feeding enough(even though i try to feed frozen twice a day)

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Like @mr Mojo Rising said, we will need some pictures. Also what your parameters are.

 

[get-salty]

Improper acclimation, water quality, diseases, and bullies in the tank will kill a fish.

it hurts reading this man !
what are you doing ?!

Dont just toss a fish into your tank. Read up on fish keeping.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

What is your acclimation process?

 

[exnisstech]

So the 90 is new the 20 is the tank you've been loosing fish in? A 20g tank is very limiting in the fish that can be kept just due to the size. I think a list of fish you have tried and which ones you tried together along with a tank picture to show the scape is a good starting point to getting assistance. A list of parameters and acclimation procedure as mentioned would also be helpful. The salinty you run, how you test salinity and if you make your own or buy water could be helpful as well.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree that we need photos or a video of the fish

 

[MC Blowfish]

It's hard to say without more information.

What kind of fish?
What are your parameters?
What is your acclimation process?
Pictures of your tank would be helpful as well.

 

[CKW]

Ok, let’s slow down. We know that corals and fish keeping parameters can be and often are different. You tell us that your corals are doing ok? Or just ok?
Assuming that’s correct concentrate on testing your fish parameters. While I wholeheartedly agree that mixing fish can be problematic since you have added many fish over time, i suspect water parameters are the place to start.
Therefore beginning with testing for temperature, salinity and Ammonia is recommended. Then the rest. Remember, consistency is paramount!!! Be patient.
Once the water chemistry is where it’s supposed to be you can add a couple of hardy inexpensive fish like Damsels.
Good luck and be sure to take us along your journey.

 

[W31Olds]

I could post a few pics. I just recently set up my 90 so waiting on it to cycle. Ive had my issues with diseases and parasites but have gone with purchasing pre QTd fish and upgraded my UV to try to combat it. Ive also gone thru 2 complete fallow periods. Ive tried to pick hardy and peaceful fish, but somehow I just cant seem to keep them alive. Maybe acclimation? Maybe not feeding enough(even though i try to feed frozen twice a day)

The most important info is when you started buying Pre-Qt'd Fish and did your losses decrease. Not Qt'ing Fish is like rolling the Dice with poor odds. Same for Corals and other Inverts. It also would help with a Fish List that you've lost. Many people don't research a Fish before buying it only to be disappointed later.

 

[austinw150]

So the 90 is new the 20 is the tank you've been loosing fish in? A 20g tank is very limiting in the fish that can be kept just due to the size. I think a list of fish you have tried and which ones you tried together along with a tank picture to show the scape is a good starting point to getting assistance. A list of parameters and acclimation procedure as mentioned would also be helpful. The salinty you run, how you test salinity and if you make your own or buy water could be helpful as well.

No I’m sorry, I had an SR80 before I just recently upgraded to a prostar v90.
The 20 I have had 2 clowns and a fire fish for almost 2 years no losses. My sr80 I have had bad bouts with ich twice, the UV sterilizer I had wasn’t quite big enough for the tank. Some of the fish I have lost have been a tomini tang, magnificent fox face, lawnmower blenny, coral beauty, six line wrasse, melanarus wrasse, chalk bass, clownfish, I have researched these fish to make sure I can handle their needs. When it comes to acclimation I have floated fish(which clearly needs to change)

I make my own RO water and mix my own salt as well.
I test my salinity with a Hanna digital tester

I keep my parameters
Salinity 1.026
Alk 8
Cal 420
Mag 1350
N03 15
P04.1

 

[austinw150]

Ok, let’s slow down. We know that corals and fish keeping parameters can be and often are different. You tell us that your corals are doing ok? Or just ok?
Assuming that’s correct concentrate on testing your fish parameters. While I wholeheartedly agree that mixing fish can be problematic since you have added many fish over time, i suspect water parameters are the place to start.
Therefore beginning with testing for temperature, salinity and Ammonia is recommended. Then the rest. Remember, consistency is paramount!!! Be patient.
Once the water chemistry is where it’s supposed to be you can add a couple of hardy inexpensive fish like Damsels.
Good luck and be sure to take us along your journey.t

Ok, let’s slow down. We know that corals and fish keeping parameters can be and often are different. You tell us that your corals are doing ok? Or just ok?
Assuming that’s correct concentrate on testing your fish parameters. While I wholeheartedly agree that mixing fish can be problematic since you have added many fish over time, i suspect water parameters are the place to start.
Therefore beginning with testing for temperature, salinity and Ammonia is recommended. Then the rest. Remember, consistency is paramount!!! Be patient.
Once the water chemistry is where it’s supposed to be you can add a couple of hardy inexpensive fish like Damsels.
Good luck and be sure to take us along your journey.

I haven’t worried at all about ammonia since I finished my cycle on this tank, I guess I overlooked it because I felt my coral were doing just fine. I’m planning on trying out a few damsels in my new tank once it’s done cycling and becoming a better fish keeper. It’s tough, no one wants to lose their fish.

 

[austinw150]

The most important info is when you started buying Pre-Qt'd Fish and did your losses decrease. Not Qt'ing Fish is like rolling the Dice with poor odds. Same for Corals and other Inverts. It also would help with a Fish List that you've lost. Many people don't research a Fish before buying it only to be disappointed later.

I have tried QTing my own fish but not with very much luck. I added a fish list to another comment as well. I’ve tried to research diligently before buying fish just to make sure I can handle it. My acclimation is absolutely inadequate, so that’s square one.

 

[austinw150]

Improper acclimation, water quality, diseases, and bullies in the tank will kill a fish.

it hurts reading this man !
what are you doing ?!

Dont just toss a fish into your tank. Read up on fish keeping.

Clearly improper acclimation, and diseases for sure, but I keep my water quite stable and have tried my best not to add fish that are going to be problems. I don’t just go to the store buy whatever and toss it in. I apologize for doing all of this so wrong and trying to right the ship lol

 

[austinw150]

What is your acclimation process?

Embarrassing to say, but just floating the bags. I have ordered a bucket and small dripper to start acclimating more proficiently.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I haven’t worried at all about ammonia since I finished my cycle on this tank, I guess I overlooked it because I felt my coral were doing just fine. I’m planning on trying out a few damsels in my new tank once it’s done cycling and becoming a better fish keeper. It’s tough, no one wants to lose their fish.

Sorry but you will have more dead fish. Damsels are very territorial and aggressive and not the way to build a peaceful community tank. They should never be the first fish onto the tank. Do you have a stocking list?

You haven’t shown a tank picture like many have asked. This is important to help you.

 

[austinw150]

Sorry but you will have more dead fish. Damsels are very territorial and aggressive and not the way to build a peaceful community tank. They should never be the first fish onto the tank. Do you have a stocking list?

You haven’t shown a tank picture like many have asked. This is important to help you.

I can post pictures of the tank but it is shut down, I’m in process of setting up a new tank and will be starting a cycle hopefully within the week. I know I will lose the damsels but it’s probably the smartest option going forward on just relearning the basics no?

 

[Peter Houde]

Yellowtail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema) are good citizens, atypical damsels, and about as hardy and long-lived as you can get. I wouldn't worry at all about adding them first. Clowns, on the other hand, also hardy and long-lived, are among the most aggressive fish I've ever owned.

 

[Peter Houde]

I can post pictures of the tank but it is shut down, I’m in process of setting up a new tank and will be starting a cycle hopefully within the week. I know I will lose the damsels but it’s probably the smartest option going forward on just relearning the basics no?

So, is this a pic of your tank?