My Tank is KILLING my fish!

[OOWolf37]

I recently bought a new ten gallon tank set to use as quarantine tank. It came with a tank, hood with a light, filter, heater, and other goodies I didn't use. I set it up and filled it with salt water from my main tank. Since it's main purpose is to treat sick fish and quarantine new fish I didn't include any sand or gravel, but I was told by someone at the store to get a piece of live rock to put in the tank. I put a clown fish in the quarantine tank and it died over night. I spoke to people at the fish store to insure I didn't do anything to kill the fish and was told that it sounded like I set up the tank and acclimated the fish properly and bought another clown. It lasted about 48 hours and then died.

I spoke to the fish store again, and was told that something in the tank was toxic. As I was advised, I completely dismantled the quarantine tank, I rinsed everything, including the heater, filter, thermometer, and live rock in addition to the tank itself. I replaced the water, again with water from my main tank (the fish and livestock in the main tank are doing fine). I tested the water, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, where good, and the ph level was at 8.0 and the kit says optimal levels are 8.2-8.4. I bought a Domino or black damsel, because I was told they are very hardy fish, and introduced him to the tank. He died the the next afternoon.

Can anyone help? What can I do to clean the tank and the components so that my fish aren't killed by my tank?

[ArcherFish]

are you still having problems? I can help.

what test kit was used to test your water?

[OOWolf37]

A master kit. It tested for phosphates, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrites

[ArcherFish]

yes but what brand pls? what company makes the test kit?

[OOWolf37]

The kit is made by API aquarium pharmaceuticals

[ArcherFish]

I would suggest as far as testing your water, to take it to a store that uses a good test kit, definitely not API.

On the tank, I'd probably just do a water change on it, but to save money, have your water tested with a good test kit. You may want to start all over, but I doubt it.

Good luck.

[OOWolf37]

Thank you. In the future, what is a good testing kit that I could invest in!

[ArcherFish]

for freshwater API is fine.

for saltwaer I'd use anything else, but I would suggest Red Sea, Elos, or Instant Ocean, or Seachem.