Any Advice?

Hey all I am new to the hobby and I have to say I am already loving it. I would love some advice though. It seems like here is the place to get it. I set up my salt water tank about 6 months ago(46 gallon bow front). I bought water, sand and salt. I also bought a master test kit. I added the sand the salt and the water. I let that sit for about a week to get the proper salinity level. I had the heater and filter installed as well. So after a week i bought some live rock. I let that cycle for about a week. Next I bought about 6 damsels to get more of a cycle(sorry to the people that disagree with this method. After about 2 weeks of that I began with more live rock and live sand. Finally 4 months of all that I was at around a 4.5 inch live sand bed, at least 60 pounds of live rock, and 6 damsels. I did all my tests and they are spot on 100% accurate (I do not have the exact readings with me I'm at work, but I assure you they were spot on). Anyways I was ready for the next step. I added about 15 hermit crabs 2 turbo snails, several sand sifting snails returned 5 of the 6 damsels and bought a fire goby. that was all over the course of maybe three weeks. Everything was good fish were getting along perfect. I moved on and purchased a clown fish, i know there semi aggresive so i kept an eye on them. No problems. I noticed my sand wasnt getting sifted so i purchased a diamond goby and a cardnial fish. Now comes the problem. I assure you my tests are still spot on. My cardnial fish died 2 days into having him. Anyone have any suggestions why? The goby is doign good but that damn cardnial passed away. Also I was wondering if its possible that my other fish arnt getting enough food. the clown fish is a typical clown, HES A CLOWN and the fire goby and damsel run into there caves durning feeding time if the clown comes near. not cause hes mean but cause his movements. well sorry for the long post any advice would be appreciated.

 

First off. Welcome to 3Reef!!!

Cardinals are not good shippers. Do you know how long your fish store had it and was it eating well there?

 

When you get home, could you take all your tests and post them? It kinda sounds to me that you have added all these fish a little fast. Then again, if everyone else seems fine and you just lost the cardinal, well... it happens. Although we try not to lose fish, its all part of the game. could be any number of reasons the cardinal didnt make it. as for the fish being scared, give them some time to settle in and establish themselves. until then, just monitor their feeding only giving them what they consume. you can even try to add some garlic to their food to entice them to come out and eat.

 

Heres a pointer when pickin fish that has worked for me... Ask your LFS "local fish store" how long a certain fish that has caught your eye has been in there tank..and ask if it has been eatin well that they know of.. I tend to try and find fish that has been there a week or more that way i know its eating. .. IF your unsure on how a certain fish is a good one for your tank ... Look to see if they have a book called A pocket expert guide MARINE FISHES.. You cant miss it if they do have it. It has big emperor Angelfish on the front of it... It has inside just about every thing about a fish in side from feedin to temperment to reef safe or not.... .... GOOD LUCK..!! and HAPPY REEFING...!!!