I have a serious problem

First topic message reminder :

I tested my 180g a couple days ago and detected ammonia. So, doing what i always do, did a 25% water change. Over night the water turned into milk, and the ammonia was even higher. I freaked out cause all my fish were having trouble breathing and put them all in different tanks. Well, this morning i woke up and tested the water again, ammonia is literally off the charts. Thank god i got my fish out. But, can anyone tell me why a tank that has always been stable, just crash like that. And, why does it look like milk. I have to get this cleared up, cause the tanks i put my fish into aren't big enough for a long stay.

Of course, I don't blame you. But think of it this way, at least you caught it and there were no major deaths.

something had to die and ROT or possible contamination. I dont understand what else could have happened?

I don't know either. Just glad my fish made it, that would be like 600.00 loss. Don't think my wife would let me spend that to replace them.

ya thats sux but lik everyone said at least u got ur fish out i would hate for something to happen to anyone to lose their fish and hav a hard time finding replacements or spend the money

Ok, here's an update. Got up up this morning to test again, just knowing my water would be better. Wrong. It's been like four days, and the ammonia hasn't went down a bit. I cleaned the sand, moved every rock, and checked the filter looking for dead stuff, nothing. There's a large hermit crab i left in there, he is running around like evrything is perfect. The numbers are as follows: Ammonia off the chart, nitrite-0, nitrate-0, PH 8.1. Just don't get how all numbers are fine, except ammonia. There are two full Poly sheets in my filter, and used Ammo lock. Ammo-lock is supposed to detoxify the ammonia, but still give a reading, so how do you know if it even worked? Sure wish a salty lived close by, so i could have them look at it. I had my first SW tanlk years ago, and have never seen anything like it.

Just for S&G's take a water sample to a lfs and see what they test it out at. One of your ammonia reagents could have gone bad. The water should be readable by now......

Already did that, they came up with the same thing. I was told that i basically cleaned it too well, and probably killed my bacteria. Odd that i do the same thing every time, but this time it screwed everything up.

Get a bag of live sand and toss it in.

I added Biozyme, don't know if that cr@p really works. You know, the sand might be a good idea. Just worry about having too deep a bed, already pretty deep for my stingray.

Either that or rock but it sounds like you need to get more bacteria in there, and you know the sand and rock work! Small bag of live sand scattered over the top of the bed and a few small live rocks may make a very big difference. They will give you the bacteria you need to get it normalized quicker to get your fish back in there much sooner.

May try that, but already have about 100lbs of live rock. Have caves made for my lionfish and grouper.

You could always move some of the rock to other tanks or sell it later.....
Or borrow rock and sand from another tank?
You need to get real bacteria in there somehow.

Maybe i'll switch some out with the other tanks, and try that. Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it.

No problem, I may not be a salty but I pay attention to the salt world
Just be careful to borrow sparingly so you don't crash any other tanks.

Yep, if they crash, im screwed.

Move them bit by bit and keep running ammonia tests.
Once the ammonia is readable in your big tank it should only take a few days for it to normalize.

If you used Ammo-lock it's going to stay reading off the charts. It binds it, but doesn't neutralize it. Some other products do, too. I'd seed the tank with Biospira or Bio-Zyme(not even sure if they're still available or where but I used both for years; if you find them, make sure they are the saltwater form). After that, let it settle for a few days and begin water changes. About 10% a day off the top of the tank. Don't disturb the rock, gravel, or filter media where the bacteria is colonizing. I had the same problem a few years ago with the ammonia being bound into a non-usable state and still reading on the tests but all my fish were fat and happy after treating it. I wouldn't take any chances with it being much more delicate saltwater fish at risk. I'd also do frequent water changes on the other tanks that you moved the fish to without disturbing the bacterial colonies, just to be on the safe side. You should be okay to skim any debris off the top but I'd leave turning the sand up to sand sifters until you have stocking levels back to a normal level.

I used the biozyme yesterday and also added another bag of live sand. Yeah, there's a large hermit and a couple other critters running around in there, and they seem fine. I just worry most about the shark and lionfish. The grouper and stingray are pretty hardy, but don't wanna risk it. Been keeping a close eye on the other tanks too. Also have an extra 100g setup and cycling, in case i need it later.

How do i get an accurate reading on ammonia after using ammo lock. It's been about a week, and it still tests off the charts.

The latest chapter in my saga. One of the tanks i moved some fish to is starting to crash because of the fish load. Knew it would happen, but had no choice at the time. Ammomnia is still off the charts in the big tank. Someone told me yesterday that it would be safe to put fish back in, because ammonia must be completely bound since i'm getting a zero reading on nitrites. My concern, what if the ammonia breaks all at once. Is it safe?

try heading over to nanoreef.com
that forum has millions of reefkeepers!!!!!!!
theyll know what to do!!!!! they deal with that stuff all day!
thats were im learning all my SW stuff from! so go ahead and check it out....
and let us know what they tell you lol

Hit ti with a 50% wc and test, then test the next day and see what you got.