[SteveTCG]

So my tank has been running about 3 months now. We have slowly added livestock...

CUC:
Emerald Myth. Crabs
Crimson Leg Hermets
Blue Hermits
Peppermint Shrimp
Chocolate Chip Star

Fish:
3 various damsels
Clown
Rock Beauty Angel
Coral Beauty Angel
Royal Gramma
Strawberry Basslett

The fish are all fine... we've lost 6 myths, 4 crimsons and 3 peppermint shrimp.

SG is 1.022, pH is good, ammonia and nitrites are 0, nitrates <= 20 ppm... temp = 78

Anyone have any ideas? The fish are fed daily with pellets and half a lump of brine or mysis shrimp. The fish do not seem to notice the CUC and vice versa.

Thanks in advance!

[carym]

Are you adding iodine? I have found that the shrimp and crabs need it to molt properly, I know people say you shouldn't add what you can't test for but there are iodine test kits and I instead of testing I just add a little every now and then.....

[pogodzib]

Welcome to RB Steve!

I'd recommend raising your SG to 1.025 and try to get your nitrates down to 0.

Also, 8 fish in a 3 month old tank is not adding fish slowly. Try slowing down the pace that you add new livestock. My latest setup is a 300+ gallon TWV system that still only has 7 fish in 10 months. Adding fish as quickly as you have been may be causing ammonia/nitrite/nitrate spikes that you be killing off your inverts. Reef tanks take months to become fully stable. IMO, everything needs to be added very slowly during the first 6 months after a tank has been set up to ensure success.