Fish Setup?

So i just recently started fish keeping, and there are some problems. When i joined this forum i discovered a process called cycling. I read about it and got the general idea of it, but it was far too late. I splurged and bought fish for my new fish tank which had only been running for 2 days. My relatives had a tank which they gave me and with it came 2 comet goldfish. I talked to my LFS and they said that it was okay to keep tropical fish with them so i went out and bought some. I currently have 2 comet goldfish, 2 red glass barbs, 3 giant danios, a blue 3 spot gourami, a gold gourami, and a giant pleco. The tank has been running for about 3 weeks and there have been no deaths. The water is a grey and cloudy. I am running a Cascade 1000 filter on the tank. Is there anything i can do to help my fish?

I always suggest 50% water changes each week to start off. Buy a water testing kit to test for ammonia and nitrite. Those two things are very bad for fish and will kill them or damage them. It sounds like you may have a bacterial bloom but without seeing it, it's hard to say for sure. It's not usually ok to keep goldfish and tropicals together at all. Goldfish require cold water and tropicals are intended for higher temps. This is a potential disaster in the making. I suggest getting rid of the goldfish for sure. What is your temperature at? I think Danio's like cooler water but Gourami like high 70's(fahrenheit). Since you are now doing a fish-in cycle, you could pick up a product called "Seachem Stability". This may help prevent "new tank syndrome" from happening(it worked for me).Otherwise don't bother adding any bacteria starter but you also have to test your water daily for the next couple of weeks for sure to monitor ammonia and nitrite levels and do water changes. A good thing as well would be to add some hornwort and java fern to the tank as they help clean up the water. All plants are good but those ones are cheap and easy to grow typically. Don't replace any of your filter media because you need to increase the biological filter. These bacteria "eat up" the fish waste I guess you could say. Wait until the filter sponges are really dirty and clogged before you rinse them and they should only be rinsed in tank water. I'm sure someone else can add to this to help you.

Good luck with your tank

Goldfish don't require cold water and can be kept with tropical fish just fine. However, they are VERY messy and that's what's contributing to your grey and cloudy water.

Please click here to get some more information about setting up your tank, etc. for newbies. Don't get any more fish until your tank is cycled. And you won't know if your tank is cycled until you get yourself a liquid test kit. We suggest API, Salifert, Nutrafin, to name some good ones.

Right now you should do a 80-90% water change. Vacuum the gravel or substrate if you can. Tomorrow go get a test kit, or at least get your water tested at the local fish store (LFS) and ask to see the readings. Write them down and post here what they are. Then we can start to get you on the right road.

Thanks for joining our forum! We're here to help.

EDIT: Here's a current thread you should read: Read this please

Goldfish really should be in cooler water. They are much more prone to immunity dysfunction when we try to keep them at higher temperatures. Plus the fact that they can grow quite large (comets can grow to 14 inches)makes them unsuitable for most fish tanks. Of coarse it's possible but that doesn't mean it's recommendable. Not trying to fight you on this but I've seen the issues first hand.

Caprichoso said:

Goldfish really should be in cooler water. They are much more prone to immunity dysfunction when we try to keep them at higher temperatures. Plus the fact that they can grow quite large (comets can grow to 14 inches)makes them unsuitable for most fish tanks. Of coarse it's possible but that doesn't mean it's recommendable. Not trying to fight you on this but I've seen the issues first hand.

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Actually I was just trying to gently steer the OP away from them. I wouldn't recommend keeping goldfish in a tank at all.

Thanks. I went out and bought a API Freshwater Master Test Kit. My temperatures at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I will go do a water change and maybe figure out how the testing kit works. shouldn't be too hard right?

Phirrap said:

Thanks. I went out and bought a API Freshwater Master Test Kit. My temperatures at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I will go do a water change and maybe figure out how the testing kit works. shouldn't be too hard right?

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Good for you!! Not difficult at all. Just follow the instructions closely, especially when they talk about shaking the bottles. With the nitrate bottle, give it a good rap on the table and then shake and shake and shake.

We're anxious to see your test results!

This Old Spouse said:

Caprichoso said:

Goldfish really should be in cooler water. They are much more prone to immunity dysfunction when we try to keep them at higher temperatures. Plus the fact that they can grow quite large (comets can grow to 14 inches)makes them unsuitable for most fish tanks. Of coarse it's possible but that doesn't mean it's recommendable. Not trying to fight you on this but I've seen the issues first hand.

Click to expand...

Actually I was just trying to gently steer the OP away from them. I wouldn't recommend keeping goldfish in a tank at all.

Click to expand...

I agree, should be in a pond imo.

Sorry. not at home tonight but i will get those results tomorrow.

So i tested my tank and i had 0.25ppm for ammonia and 0.25ppm for nitrites as well. I am quite surprised because this tank has only been running for 3 weeks. I also removed the two goldfish from the tank and put them elsewhere.