Cloudy Tank

[Karenlouise]

Hi there, I'm new to the tropical fish hobbie but have a few questions as I have been given different advice for various aquatic shops. I set my 48 liter tank on Monday adding tap safe and filter start. I was told by pets at home & Debbie's I could add fish on Wednesday. I added 4 nean, 1 of which had died and 2 guppies. My tank is very cloudy and I've been adding stress zyne as told by pets at hoe this would clear it up. I took a water sample to them and they told me my levels were very high and I should do a 50% water change which I did today treating the water with tap safe and stress zyne before I added it to the tank. The tank is still as cloudy as before and I'm worried about my fish. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can clean this up as I haven't got a clue.

Thank you for your help

 

[jcabs100]

Your tank is not cycled there for ammonia and not sure if its nitrate or nitrite that are high and stressing your fish

 

[big_sw2000]

Not your fault, but pets at home have gave you the wrong advise. Unfortlly most pets shops give the same. A way to sell more fish.

Look up fish cycling, as this is what you will be doing now. You will need patiance, and water changing every day.

Have a look at fishless cycle. This is the easiest way to get your tank mature, but as it dose not result in fish sales, then shops wont tell you.

The cloudy water is just a bacterial bloom, not that dangerous to your fish, nbut the Amonia levels will be. and as things settle down will disappear. Theres loads of threads on hear about it.

I do fear for your fish now, but dont get to down harted. If you want to a great tank, then the next month, will be hard work. It dose get a load easier and fun.

He is a link that will help you a lot. Have a good read.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

BUT MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN, this is a great hobby, once you get past the 1st month or so.

Steve

 

[Peter C]

Thing I found cleared up the cloudiness was having charcoal in my filter

Not had cloudy water since I installed it, whereas it was always a little cloudy before

 

[aquariumart22]

Hi, as jcabs100 said your tank is not cycled yet. I advise that you not put anymore fish in for two weeks. Your filter need this time to collect beneficial bacteria so that when you do put fish in the bacteria can do their job at keeping your ammonia levels down. I'd say right now algae is blooming and bacteria are just starting to develop causing your tank to be cloudy.

It will continue to be cloudy for about two weeks until the cycle has finished. If you still have the guppies in it i would say do a 25%-50% water change everyday or every other day for the two weeks. This will help keep your levels down for the time being. (Everybody correct me if i'm wrong)!

Often times LFS workers are not educated in this and are more concerned on selling fish, Its a good idea to do research before buying any fish. We've all been where you are and believe me everything is so much easier when you know whats going on in your tank and why things happen. Don't just go on what the people at the fish stores tell you.

Try reading about fishless and fish-in cycling your tank it helped me alot.

You'll learn patience is your best friend while fish keeping!

big_sw2000 beat me to it!

 

[big_sw2000]

It will continue to be cloudy for about two weeks until the cycle has finished. If you still have the guppies in it i would say do a 25%-50% water change everyday or every other day for the two weeks. This will help keep your levels down for the time being. (Everybody correct me if i'm wrong)!

!

big_sw2000 beat me to it!

We are all hear to help lol

I would maybe think about big water changes, more than 50%, keep them levels down, whilest your filter matuers.

If you know some one with an aquarium set up and running, see if you can pinch a little of the filter media, just a small amount. Rember to keep it underwater, in aquatium water. Then when at home, pop it into the bottom of your filter. It will speed up the cycle no end.
My local pet shop, let me have some of theres, so maybe worth asking.

Steve