Here's my opinion on your situtation. I havent read thru all the pages so if I post somehting that has already been said forgive me.
Adding that much salt in one sitting would be the problem you were having at first. Usually you add salt over the period of a few days, watch the fish and stop or redice if you notice anything.
For the tiger barbs....
I would stop buying them from your supplier. Ask how these fish are collected! A good portion of the time they are collected by cyanide which knocks the fish out which makes it ver easy to capture. This method poisions fish and they dont live very long. Alot of stores buy these fish as they are alot cheaper and more plentiful.
It could even be something in the stores tanks. I also highly reccomend a QT for all new comers, even plants (for snail infestation). This will not only be less stressful, but you can also keep an eye out for disease and treat it in the QT instead of risking your main tank. After a few weeks if the fish look healthy, have a good appetite, transfer them.
A few questions.....
How are you acclimating these new fish?
If you are for how long?
Are you emptying the bag with the LFS's water into your own tank?
What is you PH. Certain fish need a more acidic water and others need softer water.
Adding that much salt in one sitting would be the problem you were having at first. Usually you add salt over the period of a few days, watch the fish and stop or redice if you notice anything.
For the tiger barbs....
I would stop buying them from your supplier. Ask how these fish are collected! A good portion of the time they are collected by cyanide which knocks the fish out which makes it ver easy to capture. This method poisions fish and they dont live very long. Alot of stores buy these fish as they are alot cheaper and more plentiful.
It could even be something in the stores tanks. I also highly reccomend a QT for all new comers, even plants (for snail infestation). This will not only be less stressful, but you can also keep an eye out for disease and treat it in the QT instead of risking your main tank. After a few weeks if the fish look healthy, have a good appetite, transfer them.
A few questions.....
How are you acclimating these new fish?
If you are for how long?
Are you emptying the bag with the LFS's water into your own tank?
What is you PH. Certain fish need a more acidic water and others need softer water.