help! new to salt tan

help! new to salt tanks

Let me first say that this is my first attempt at salts. I have had many cichlids and other freshwater fish but this is my first salt attempt. I have read as much as possibly and thought that everything was well... it is not

My friend moved and gave me his 29 gallon tank w/ live rock and 4 fish. I kept about 70% of the water during the move and set everything up and all looked fine. THey fish were happy, swimming and had no issues.

I called my roomate to take a look at the salt levels since there was new water in there and he told me it was a little under 1.020 so he was going to add some...well it seems he added A LOT to the water mixture but it didn't even move the meter.
the water was very salty looking still but after about 4 hours when i returned home everything in the tank was dead. I purchased an anenomy at the lfs on the way home, added it in the water and it died within 10 miutes.

All the pH, nit, and water alkalidity levels test FINE. I have to buy a new hydrometer to today to check the levels because I don't think that one was accurate, is it possible for WAY to much salt. I'm trying to figure out what went wrong because I did everything by the book ad the to best of my abilities.

What could have possibly went wrong?

 

Whoa whoa whoa......are you saying that you guys added salt DIRECTLY to the tank?? thats a big no no. You should always mix saltwater in a seperate container with a powerhead and let it circulate overnight. The pH of new salt water is way to high for inhabitants to take, especially in the dose you did. Second, you shouldnt be buying anemones yet, you need to wait until your tank is well established and you have a pretty good idea of what you are doing. Also, 1.020 is way too low, should for around 1.024.

 

what killed your fish was going from under 1.020 to whatever it is you ended up with. When changing your saltwater gravity like that, you need to do it s-l-o-w-l-y so that the fish and corals can acclimate in the new water. Sounds like you still have alot of studying to do. Ask questions, study alot, and dont give up, good luck! : )

 

Don't get discouraged you are doing what you should by asking for help but be careful where the info/help is coming from. You did the right thing by seeking help on 3REEF. +K

 

he did indeed add it directly to the tank

I'm trying guys...Where do I go now? where do I start?

 

Well dont buy anything except maybe a container to cure salt water in. I use a 20 gallon container that i bought new and only use for curing water. What is your salinity at now. Too high take water out and add only ro/di water. After you get your params. good then you could start studying fish or inverts or what ever you may want to add to your tank. But make shure you know what they like dislike and who is compatible to be in with other tank mates. Dont rush anything in this hobby.

 

Well we learn from our mistakes so don't worry keep at it.

always mix the salt in a container and make sure the salt is totally dissolved in the water before putting it in the tank (check the water in the container for salinity). I would stay away from an anemone until you get the basic down, when they die they can totally crash your tank from the toxins it releases. Plus they are not the easiest thing to keep for a beginner.

what exactly are your parameters?
also what type of lighting do you have?
just asking so we can better help you.

 

How would I know if my tank was trashed from his death?

 

Well, lets start from the beggining. Everything is dead right? As sad as that is, this actually might make it easier for you. What I would do is fill your tank up with the right amount of saltwater, at the right salinity (after removing all the dead livestock first) . Then wait a couple days, your going to want to wait for a cycle to occur. Everyday, test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, each has its own test kit. When the nitrites and ammonia go away, you can slowly start adding fish again.

Leave your rock and sand in there, all the other dead stuff can go down the porcelain. Im sorry you had to learn this lesson the hard way, but with patience and a little good spirit, you can be on your way to healthy addiction in no time! : )

 

welcome to 3reef