Help! Fish wigging out!

[esmithiii]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

I think they were suffocating.

I agree. Make sure your water is well aerated before doing the water change.

Your cannister filter will become a nitrate trap in the near future.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

tested the water, and ammonia is undetectable, nitrites are .25, pH is about 8.1, but nitrates are around 5.

I also think your tank is not done cycling yet. My advice is to take things slowly, read, read, read and then ask many questions here.

Ernie

 

[esmithiii]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

the air stone realy does not add air.

This is not really true. Many airstones produce very small bubbles. Each bubble has surface area and allows gasses to dissolve into the water. The smaller and more quantity of bubbles the higher the surface area and the greater the gas exchange. The water movement on the surface is important, but the bubbles themselves are as well.

Ernie

 

[Jawbone]

Check your PH as soon as you get up in the morning. Hopefully BEFORE the lights come on. I'll bet your around 8.6 or better. PH is not really a concern it can in the low 8's without worries its the 7's that get scary.

I did not want to say anything about the addtion of all the fish in a tank being only 1 month lastnight because you and your fish were wigging and I was not sure how much constructive criticism someone can take under stress... But they are correct. I tried to work it in by saying <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

Some people would wait months before adding Coral or other inhabitants to ensure the Stability of the tank over a long period of time ( assuming of course Live rock and Sand or some other way to start the tank cycle process. In your case Damsels are the Cycle starter it appears )

But a lot of people use the Damsels to cycle and wait on the Clowns. The LFS is of course concerned for your satisfaction but will allow you to spend all your money on new fish weekly if you so desire. I have seen people be told the same info in these posts and then the temptation is just too much... they are like kids in a candy store and they say "well I think it will be OK for now" - next thing you know they are buying medication either because the tank had not cycled or because they did not acclimate the fish into the new environment correctly.

and since we are on that subject.... Step 1 Turn OFF the aquarium lights (dont want to cook the floating fish ) step 2 Float bag for 15 Min, step 3 Add about a cup of your aquariums water to bag and continue floating for another 30 Min, step 4 add about a cup of your aquariums water to bag and continue floating for another 30 Min, step 5 add about a cup of your aquariums water to bag and continue floating for another 30 Min, step 6 add abpit a cup of your aquariums water to bag and continue floating for another 15 Min, step 7 remove bag of water and fish and pour water into waiting bucket hopefully catching fish in a net. OR if bag is large enough net fish in bag and add fish only to the aquarium. NOT the water from the bag - even if you see cute little pods swimming in there.
Step 8 Leave lights off till next morning or at least a few hours.

BTW I am very happy for your fishes and wish you great success in your newfound hobby