Parameters

So I've been saltwatering for about 6 months now but I have some issues with fish not lasting long, some die quickly some die slow, some live totally fine. What parameters should I be constantly checking every week as a whole? I do PH, KH, ammonia, nitrite/nitrate, SG and temp. Everything in those parameters are within limits with around 5nitrate and 0ammonia. I have good circulation and around 1.3LR per gallon (40 ga. tank).

I add fish and sometimes they will be good right off the bat and sometimes they will die within the week, diseased. I stopped going to a lfs because everything in their water was full of copper, which I was told isn't a good thing. I'm trying out a new lfs with UV their water and no medicines used.

What parameter am I missing that could affect my fish to death? If all I need are the listed above, maybe I just have some bad luck getting fish right? I don't want to say my parameters are perfect, but the ones listed are within a good level to where fish shouldn't be affected .

Sorry for the newb question. :-X

 

Once your tank is cycled, i only test nitrate, ammonia and nitrite when there is a problem, as you seem to be having. It sounds like it may be your lfs you have been going to. They may not have the healthiest livestock. When you buy a fish do you visually inspect it? See if it's swimming well, getting along with other fish? No obvious issues?

 

Copper in fish only tanks is not necessarily a bad thing if done right. Just don't add the water to your tank if you plan on ever going reef. That said if the LFS doesn't know how to run copper they might be using to much, which can be toxic to fish. I would try a different LFS. See if you have any better luck.

 

The first two that died I didn't really inspect that thorough but I do now. I make them feed in front of me and all sorts. I'm not sure what else could be causing this besides my parameters being off, but so far everything is tip top and no fish fights, not that I see anyways.

 

K3rack

what fish are dying please?
when was the 1st one added?
how often are you adding fish?
how soon after one dies do you add another 1?

how many fish do you have in that 40 gallon now?
what equipment are you using on the tank - sump/ fuge, skimmer, cannister filter etc?
what have you got in terms of water movement?


Steve

 

Blue tang, 6line wrasse so far...
First one was added about a month after my cycle, and then after that died I added the wrasse about 4 days later.

Right now I hate 2 clowns, goby, cleaner shrimp, niger trigger.
Just wet/dry filter right now. No sump/skimmer.

Korilia (sp?) 1 and the powerhead for filter. Movement seems decent around the tank.