Tank is dieing - need advice

A few weeks ago, we had lost an anenome due to poor lighting/flow. Lesson learned. We fixed the problems there, but since then the cycle has never been able to re-establish itself, and our tank fills with toxins within 2 days. After some research, I have concluded that this is probably due to toxins released by the dieing anenome.
This morning we lost a tang, and I really need to do something. I am thinking that it may be best to start the whole process all over, removing all livestock, full drain, the works, and re-establishing the tank all over again as if it were new, after finding we made quite a few mistakes due to a poor book and questionable advice from our LFS (the only two sources of info we had to start a tank at the time).
Any advice/comments would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

How is the system set up ? a sump or a power filter ? what are you testing for and have you tested the water if so what where the levels ? If not test them all and post..

 

you could just put anything living in a qt until the tables re-cycles

 

I have not done a corbon dose. System is set-up with a power filter.
Have water tested every day. Ammonia, nitrate, and nitrites all raise VERY rapidly everytime we do a water change (atleast 10ppm a day).

 

I would tell you not to do a water change its about the worst single thing you can do when there is a problem . Its a shotgun effect on the system. You have to narrow the problem down and then go after the cause .. I'd add some carbon and keep a fish in there to steady the cycle and let it ride for 2 months and feed the fish very little .. Add a cup of carbon for every 100 gals and change it at 4 to 5 weeks .

 

I agree with Tangster. You really should be using carbon as it pulls out alot of toxins.

 

So, I should NOT do even a partial water change, even though the nitrates/nitrites/ammonia are has high as the test kit will go? Just dose with carbon every 4-5 weeks and wait this out?

 

Sorry for your loss. Unfortunately you are gambling when adding an anenome to your tank. They can up and move around after being in a well established place for a long time. And dang it if murphys law dosen't kick in and they wind up in your powerhead or a filter intake.:-/ Listen to Tangster use carbon to filter your water. Good luck ! keep us posted !