domino died don't know why

[kmmahan]

I have cycled my 55 gallon for about 10 weeks (canister filter)-- 5 snails-- I coral banded shrimp-- and I had one domino-- 50 lbs base rock-- 30 lbs live rock-- bare bottom floor-- no coral yet b/c I was trying to finish cycling the tank-- all levels are perfect except my Nitrates-- My nitrates are very high-- yesterday my domino died-- had him for about 1 week-- he was breathing fine and eating alot-- then he hid in the rock for a whole day-- and then he died-- I can't figure out what happened-- Any ideas?
Snail and shrimp are fine-- I can't understand it-- surely the high nitrates didn't kill the damsel---

[dakar]

First welcome aboard!

now, when you say the nitrates are really high, how high is really high? Did you use the fish to start the nitrogen cycle in your tank? Fish are far more tolerant of higher nitrate levels but during a cycle they can get well beyond the ability of anything to survive, that's why other methods have been created.

[Reptoreef]

Sorry about the damsel and welcome to CR... first of all, If you only had the fish for a week, could be several reasons for it's death(parasite, desease, etc). Can you give a description of the fish appearance before death... anything different or strange?? Second, let the system be. It will cycle without a fish as long as you have live rock, you'll be fine. Next, unless you are intending to remain a fish only with live rock system, lose the canaster filter and upgrade to a sump/refugium with a decent skimmer. When getting set up, did you happen to follow the advice of the pet store??? DON'T!!! Beforen you take any further steps, stick around, ask a bunch of questions(nothing is considered stupid) and just hang in there. This can be the most frustrating to discouraging hobby with a short life-span or it can be the most frustrating yet, rewarding, exciting, and absolutly awesome obsession... the balancing pivot to send you one way or the other is patience.

Glad to have ya aboard, Repto

[kmmahan]

Do nitrate sponges work? The LFS said they don't-- I live in Austin, TX-- evidently the water is high in phosphates-- is water changes the best thing that I can do? Also how is buying coral and fish online? The stores in Austin don't have a wide selection and there prices are outrageous-- with no guarantee-- Are turbo snails bad for coral? They said that they climb on the coral-- I am just trying to keep the brown algae down-- Now I use bottled water to do water changes and top offs-- I hope to keep the algae down with that-- I have a 55 gallon-- what kind of tank cleaners are okay? I want a reef-- eventually-- hahaha I have about 5 turbo's and 10 Nassarius (Spelling ?), I have and emerald crab and a coral banded shrimp-- What do you think-- I just want to get the tank clean and clear-- but I don't want to mess up my coral when I eventually get some-- I wanted to buy some stuff online but it is scarey since you don't get to see it first-- what do you think? Have you bought anything online before? Is it worth it?

[dakar]

As far as purchasing coral and fish online.... most of the reputable ones offer at least a certain length of time they garuntee their critters for, if they pass on beyond the normal 4-6 days garuntee, they there are other issues in your tank that need to be addressed.

Take a look at our [url=http://www.captivereefing.com/viewforum.php?f=18] Vendor's Reviews[\url] and see whet some members have had to say about some of the online dealers they've purchased through thus far.

The snails and such you've commented on thus far are fine to clean your tank, I've never seen any of our turbo snails 'climb coral' every now and again they may cruise through a patch of polyps, which just retract until it has passed and re-open without harm. Algea problems.... look for a lawnmower (aka sailfin) blenny. They have earned that name for good reason.

I'd consider testing your water source as well. Bottled water is pretty vaque, and you really have no idea of what is in it... if you can, stick a TDS meter in it and see what you get, anything above 3ppm TDS means there is a lot more than water in your water, maybe time to consider investing into an RO/DI unit, I'm sure it will pay for itself vs. bottled water very quickly, they can be had for as little as $100.

[kmmahan]

thanks so much-- I am getting so much conflicting info from different fish stores and it is very upsetting-- I have looked at those RO/DI units-- I really need one-- I hate the algae-- plus I don't want to poison my tank each water change or top off-- thanks!!

[dakar]

Take a look around eBay, we picked up a 6 stage unit for like $90 or so, she's put out well over 1500 gallons and still running 0-1ppm TDS

[jerryc]

The conflicting LFS Stores is common at least it seams to be in the state we have
only 3 that i will trust . But Thea or over 3 hours from me so i depend on on line
for a lot of the ever day Stefa i need.
As daker Sade the Ebay RODI units or Farlee good for a lot less i have the
WaterGeneral unit and it works good.