Ok so my parents are trying to set up a fowler tank that will eventually become a reef tank. It is a 90 gal tank with 125gal wet/dry bioball pump and everything. I am not 100% on all the stuff for the tank but I know they are having some issues. They are using a coral substrate and have a 7 lbs piece of live rock in it. They tried to get the cycle going by putting about 5 damsels and a clown fish in the tank... within 3 days all the fish were dead. They took some water to, i think, petsmart and had it tested and were told the ammonia and nitrates (nitrites?) were all normal. Should they add more live rock now to cycle it? They are also thinking of putting live sand in the tank. In your opinion should they take out the coral, mix it with the coral, or forget the live sand all together? Also any resources, tips, or anything to help them out would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!