Fish looks like its dying

That is most likely what caused your spike. I understand that there is not much you can do if you have to evacuate your fish because of a damaged tank, but if it ever happens again be prepared to do frequent water changes to keep up with the sudden, extra bioload in the tank. A skimmer and fuge will help.

Just remember to keep an eye on water params frequently if you have to suddenly add fish. Best of luck to you!

 

whats a fuge?
ive got a skimmer
any1 know ways to reduce ammonia levels?

 

A fuge is short for refugium. If you are not familiar with what a fuge is I would recommend that you visit the refugium section of 3reef. It is full of very useful info about fuges.

 

You are on a pretty steep learning curve!!!...

Please take some time to read some of the below, for your sake, ours and your fish.

Thanks...

(updated 08 Oct 2007)


Information For The New Salt Water Aquarist​

(1st Salt Water Aquarium!) ​

Below are listed a number of links that should answer most of the questions a new saltwater aquarist (or a person interested in taking on the hobby) would need to know/ask about techniques of the "art". While there are literally thousands of pages on the web covering these subjects, these links are ones that state them simply and most completely in a condensed way. They are the links I would recommed to anyone first starting out in the hobby.

(A "must" read!) ​

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00 ​

Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.

Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

A List Of Good Beginner Fish

Fish To Be Avoided - I

Fish To Be Avoided - II

Corals

What They Are and How They Live​

by J. Charles Delbeek​

"They are mysterious guests from an exotic world. Unlike anything else we keep in an aquarium, they represent the essence of the coral reefs that we try to duplicate in our living rooms. Our success at this effort depends greatly on how well we understand these unusual life forms.

Unfortunately, for the average hobbyist, the increased availability of these animals is not matched by the information available concerning their biology and care. Too often, hobbyists know more about who manufactures their aquarium equipment than basic biological information, or proper identification of the animals they are striving to keep. And yet, without this information it is difficult to provide the optimum conditions that will allow them to grow and reproduce."

Answers to Everything!​

Marine Aquarium Articles and FAQ's
WebMedia.com​

Aquarium Related Links






​

Learn to Live With It
​

Adam Blundell M.S. ​

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."​

 

Yeah im really short in time cause i have my final exam this whole year

 

get somekind of power filter, one with chemical/biological/mechanical. Also make sure its for twice the size or more of the tank you are using. Buy some stability made by seachem, its bacteria in a bottle. Pour it on the biological media in the filter. ALWAYS have extra carbon on hand. You can get some amquel or similar products for reducing ammonia/nitrite/nitrates quickly. It will not fix the cause, but it will save you from doing a water change.

over filter over filter over filter!

Im running a filter made for a 70g, also using a plenum on a 40g tank that I just sat up yesterday and using a filter made for a 60g on a 20g QT.

 

would this work my tank is a 540 liter tank im running a 600L filter but ive got the filter with my tank with extra media into it im also running a 240 liter with which has a skimmer. Any1 can sugges what else i need eg sum fuge, larger skimmer

 

I am truly sorry for your loss. I know how attached I get to my fish and it is very sad. Your tank was going through another mini cycle from adding the additional fish. I have had to do that with some of our freshwater tanks at times and we would do few small water changes during the week, along the lines of 5%. We keep a few 10% tanks around if something like that happens. We fill the tanks with water directly from the display tank from where the fish are located, and then pop a small filter, heater, and thermometer into the tank and