is the cycling done

[thefishguy]

I started a 20 gallon tank. first I used live sand for about 3 weeks. some diatoms started to develop. later some bright green alge started to develop. I then added two yellow tailed damsels with some pvc for hiding. they both died. let it sit for about a week with dead fish. Then added two stripped damsels, 12 turbo and 14 pounds of live rock which came with a crab and a hermit crab. the perameters are ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-10, pH-8.4-5, SG-1.025 and temp is 79. all seem correct but the fish died again. I haven't seen the crab since I bought the live rock. is the tank done cycling and if so why are the fish dying

 

[gilraen]

The only think I can think of is that something is wrong with your test kits. Are they brand new? That's a lot of fish loss, and as you know damsels are very hardy. I think your ammonia is really high and your tank is not done cycling yet. Do you have a skimmer? Also, for a small tank like yours it takes longer to cycle. Lets see what the others have to say.

 

[Hara]

I do not think your tank has properly cycled yet.

 

[mykpoz]

Dont you get a mini cycle when you add more LR?