Question on my reef tank

[loupdemort]

Hey everyone! I am new to the marine tanks as I have done chilid and freshwater tanks for many many years. I decided to set up a 30 gallon with all the right filter systems, lighting, live sand, and live rocks (~30lbs). About two months ago when the tank was started I had thought that I started the water quality correctly and I added two damsels, crab, and a few anemones. The tank was fine until last week when I added a shrimp, a few more pieces of live rock, and also a dottyback. I have had a total die-off all all the fish and invertabrates. I did a partial water change when I tested the amonia level to be very high. My quaestion is is this the cycling of the tank because I added too much at once too soon? I am looking for any suggestions as I believe I did some really dumb stuff too soon! Thanks!

[jason gilman]

you went to fast.your tank didnt completely cycle and adding the additional liverockprobably started a chain reaction.anemone death in turn poisoned every thing else.thats my guess.

[loupdemort]

That is what I figured! I was amazed that the tank did so well for two months, I will definatly be starting over from scatch. I guess from reading this forum I should just let it completly cycle through and slowly add animals? Unfortunatly this has been a hard lesson to learn. But I now know better.