Every thing died

I'm switching to a reef tank. I traded in my grouper and I did a lot of cleaning moved all the rocks to get rid of all the waste under it. I really had to stir up the sand. I just bought a couple and snail, shrimp and a green crab, every thing died the next day. I ran out of test strip a while ago but I thought every thing would be ok considering my grouper did so well. (lfs was very impress with his size and said he was feed very well) Did my cleaning increase my nitrate and nitrites? I'll get test kit today, I'm sure glad I didn't get anything very expensive yet. What test do I need to by for my coral that I will get soon.

 

correct me if i am wrong anyone, but i believe when you stirred the sandbed up you released a number of toxic gasses/materials into your water column. that could have done it. i suggest stirring it up again and big water changes.

 

First thing is lose the strips. Can be inaccurate. Need to invest in a good test kit. Always check all perameters before adding livestock. How long did you acclimate?

 

Second that

 

You are right in that this can happen, but usually only with a deep sand bed. There needs to be anaerobic spaces or the bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide to grow. I occasionally stir up the sand bed and others with very successful reef tanks do as well. How deep was your sand and how long was the tank set up for?

As for tests kits for reef tanks, you will need the standard tests, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph and Mg, Ca, dKH (hardness/alk) and phosphate.

 

I third that!

 

Ok I thought that's what happen. My sand bed is 3-4 inches and the tank was set up in 2007. I'll do a water change now.

 

I wouldn't do a water change. The stirring of the sandbed started a cycle. Water changes are only going to prolong the cycle. Just let the tank catch back up to itself.
And +4 on upgrading the testing supplies.

 

am i allowed to quadruple all the advice thats been given? lol.

 

I think your number 5 now.... hahaha...

I am number 6 ..!!!


Good Luck..!!