I started my first 55 gallon tank about two months ago. I let the tank cycle for about 3 weeks. Checked for the salinity and tested everything else and water quality was perfect. Added about 30 lbs of live rock. Did use tap water though to start this tank and added drops of prime. Slowly added fishes in- clowns and a damsel. They got ich and died because I wasn't sure at the time what it was, so didn't have time to cure them. So I did a water change, tested everything and results were fine so decided to add in 6 snails, 2 tangs, a puffer, and 2 more clowns. About a week later they all got ich again and I tried to treat them w medicine. Didnt work and they died within a couple of days. HELP!!! I don't know what to do next. Should I start this tank all over again!? Take everything out and use ro water only?? Need a stronger filter? Protein skimmer?
=\
OK let's start from the beginning
you cycled for 3 weeks
are you sure your cycle was complete
after your cycle you added live rock
was it fully cured if not that"s your problem it started a new cycle
as for your tangs yes 55 gal is to small
like NU-NU said tangs are known to ick
another question is how are you acclimating your fish
I recommend a drip acclimation using a small pail and a small piece of air line empty your bag with fish into pail than do a drip by drip acclimation , should take about 2 hrs if done right when pail is full scoop your fish with a net and place in tank,
never put any of the water from the pail or bag in your tank
another thing is not to add to many fish at once since your tanks bio load isn't at it's fullest yet
if you lost a second round of fish from ich
before adding anything in tank do 50% water changes back to back let system run a week or so do another 25% water change check water parameters to be sure there correct
and you should be good to go
ask your lfs how long he/she has been working with saltwater marine fish
don't just trust they know what there doing
always have the clerk check there water parameters salinity ect in front of you if there off they don't maintain there tanks well , always ask when did the fish come in if it was the same day have him put it on hold for you , fish don't need 2x the stress in on day , also see if it will eat before you buy it