OK so I was wrong !!!

Set up Red sea max and on the advice of my local shop started putting fish ect in. They said that the live rock had already been cycled and so it was ok to start putting fish in after a week. So..........now I have a problem. All water params seem fine but both clown fish are dead. Other fish seem fine and are feeding well. Two questions......Why are clownfish dead and,I got one out of tank but other one I cant get as it would mean removing all live rock. I have several hermits, will they eat it or do I really need to remove it? Please dont say I have too or I dont know what Im going to do!!!!

 

remove it.if it had a disease from your lfs then if it hasnt gotten to the others it will if you leave it in there.

 

I dont know how without completely disrupting the whole tank

 

can you move a power head and blow him out of the crevice? or make a coat hanger into some sort of ultimate fish remover...

 

I will go and attempt but dont hold out much hope

 

fish may die for many reasons. This can include already existing health issues, shipping issues, diet, water quality. There are many other factors as far as water quality that are not always tested. On a new system, things like blooms of cyano, diatom algae, and dinoflagellets have the potential of releasing toxins into the system. You can also not always be sure if live rock has been fully cycled. I know of many places that mixes in new rock shipments with already cycling/cycled rock which can potentially lead to problems later on.

 

I had one LFS "the fish doctors" recommend 6 wks to cycle. Another LFS told me "ah, 2wks is fine".. Im going to wait as long as possible, when the purple stuff (coralline) starts to grow, then I think you are ready. Plz correct me if I'm mistaken, I am quite new to this exciting hobby!

 

by waiting longer and playing it safe you are displaying the qualities of a true SW aquarist! I would let it cycle longer, mainly for the peace of mind that comes with it (no mini-cycle + bad crap).
Bobby K.

 

*nods*

patience is bliss in this hobby.

 

Amen on that one!!!
People are in too big of a hurry with this hobby. I guess it's your money to waste not mine.
I cycled mine for 12 weeks, 8 of those with no lights on and some people can't wait a single month.. :-/