big problem-i think

I set up my tank on may 13 and have been cycling with live rock every since.My parameters finally were in check so i started telling my wife i wanted a cleanup crew for the algae bloom that appeared out of no where. long story short i came home yesterday from work to find 5 crabs/5 snails/2 clowns/and 2 banggai cardinals in the tank.She said she went to get the cc and the guy at the lfs wanted a water sample and after he checked it he said i was ready for fish to.The lfs also said to float the bags for 20 min and dump them in! I couldnt believe after all the info i read on 3reef and all the patience ive had im looking at my tank full of fish over nite.Well one cardinal looked sick and was dead 6 hrs later>

WHAT DO I DO NOW-should i expect a large cycle
Please help!!!

 

I would try bagging the fish that died and take them back to the lfs then don't listen to them just read and ask here, apparently they are only after selling you stock for you to kill, for the cycle can't be done in less than 5 to 7 weeks.

 

I personally think your tank is big enough to handle bio-load created by your fish and inverts, although tank is relatively young and just after cycle. Please post your water parameters, especially pH, nitrates/nitrites and ammonia. This will help! You were probably, not lucky and got sick fish from LFS! If I were you I would stick to quarantine rules and try to convince your "beloved one" to do the same Clowns are very hardy fish, the only chemical pollutant that really makes them sick is copper, so do not worry!

Good luck! Post the water parameters!

 

Don't panic everything will be fine! First thing I would do is catch the other cardinal and return it and the dead one to the fish store and get a refund pronto. as far as the clowns go they should be fine and I sure your not going to have any kind of a cycle. Cardinal are not the strongest and best fish for beginners, in fact they tend to be a little fragile.

As far as he " float in the tank for 20 minutes and plop them right on in well if it was me I would go to the LFS and most likely smack the guy that told her that! there are ways to acclimate fish and that ain't one of them!

Oh and 4 fish in a 50 gallon isn't that many unless we are talking 4 or 5" long fish. Other than a little spike that should be able to be taken care of with a water change it really should not be a problem. Clowns are hardy and strong so they should be fine with what ever your tank throws at them...

 

May 13 to now is 9 weeks no I'm sorry 10 weeks according to my calender.....

 

I apparently miss the May,13th date that you posted, sorry about that! but your lfs does not sound very helpful, because after floating the bags you need to open them and start to add water from you r tank into the bags a little at the time, for at least one hour. instead of just dumping them in!

 

Back to back water changes as often as you need to keep water params somewhat in range.

Check a couple times daily.

Good luck...

 

Ph 8.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate -2.5

The Other Cardinal And The Clowns Seem Fine Other Than I Need To Get Something Meaty To Eat For The Cardinal Cuz He Wont Eat The Flakes The Lfs Said He Eats.the Cardinal That Died Was Very Pale Looking And His White Spots Were Almost Completely Gone. Im Familiar With The Quarantine Process And The Acclimation Process As Ive Spent Many Hours On This Site.thanks For The Quick Reassurance And Responses.

 

Should I Do 20% Water Changes Or More?

Thanks

 

After 9 weeks, you should be fine. What test kit did you use for the No3? Luna