RE: All my fish are dying

Question
Hi Todd,

I am so glad there is someone like you to help.  I get so many  answers I don't know what to believe.  I set up a new saltwater tank (30galls) 3 months ago.  I slowly added fish, after my tank cycled and all was well.  All tests were good.  Lastly I added a new small cultered rock and a yellow tang.  The small clown fish and small neon dottyback died first they got white spots and then died.  The next day my new yellow tang.  Any now my last fish (Blue Damsel) has spots. I am not sure if the tang brought something or the cultered rock.
I have been treating the water with ich rid.  But, I feel I am doomed.  I have put some much time and $ into this tank.  How do I start over and sanitize my tank?
Do I take everything out, if my last fish dies and clean, start from scratch?  When, I do get it up and running, how can I keep from getting a disease in the tank?  I really look forward to your help!!!

Sincerely,
Amber  

Answer

Amber,

there were a couple of problems which I can see.

1. What you want to do in the future is when you set-up a tank always place the cultured live rock when you cycle the tank.  This prevents any ammonia or nitrite spike in your tank which can be lethal. I have never heard of a live rock which carries ich.

2. What happened is you introduced a diseased (yellow tang)into your tank. People do this all the time (including myself)& we have all lost many fish due to the new speciman which may have an unseen disease.  Always place new fish in a simple 10 gallon quarantine tank for two/three weeks and watch them very closely.  If a disease springs up treat it in this tank.  I like to use Copper sulfate. This tank should be very simple.  Tank-light-small heater-small filter-place for which fish can hide. A Small pvc tube works well.

3. Also Never use activated carbon because it absorbs the chemicals out of the tank. Also live rock absorbs the ick med as well.  Chances are your last fish will die.  Start over do what you did in the beginning.  Clean out the tank.  Use a mild soap on all the tanks items and rinse them really good with fresh water.  Starting from scratch is ok you just do not want to do it again.

4.  begin the cycling process and place some cured live rock in your tank this will cycle it for you.  Make sure you get cured live rock about 10 pounds will do.  At that time start your Q-tank.  After three weeks when your water chem is good.  Buy two small fish and place them in your Q-tank and just watch for disease.  After three weeks if they are disease free place them in your main tank. If a disease shows itself treat it. Also make sure you are buying good quality fish.  Talk to your pet-shop rep who you are buying them from. Let them know what happened.  Please do this with all your new fish.

If you have any questions just ask away.
Good luck Todd