hey i had my tank going, i added 4 tiger barbs, 2 pleckos, and 1 rainbow shark. my water turned kinda cloudy but nothing serious. then the ammonia and ph went through the roof. the ammoina and ph started to slowly fall. the cloooudy water started to clear ever so slightly day by day. then last night i feed the pleckos 1 algee waifferand the water was so cloudly i couldnt even see the background. i could bairly see the the rocks and decorations for the fish to play in. i was told it might be some kind of floating algee, but i honestly have not clue what happened all i know is i am new to this and i need some major help. i added a new bigger filter today to try to help but i dont know what else to do i have tried chemicals and water changes. i need help quick. thamks everyone for imput.
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- Thread starter Boggnials
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Angel Lady
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your tank sounds to me like it is cycling how long have you had it up and running for? what are your readings now.
YEs I'm almost srue of it you added ur fish like the same day or one day later after u filled it up with water. Ne way its probably just the bacteria boom. Like fishkeeper said its proably cycling your fish can die from this...may it be a lesson ne way good luck with fish keeping. 
Alien Anna
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Er, that won't actually help any. It's old advice, presumably from the days before dechlorinators. Nothing magical is going to happen to water that is just sitting around for a week with no fish in it.Kossy said:You should have your water in a tank for like a week before you add fish.
What you actually need is a tank that has been cycled, but since that probably didn't happen here, he's just going to have to wait for the tank to cycle with fish in it and pray he doesn't lose stock. Cycling requires either fish, or another, non-fish source of ammonia (if you're doing fishless cycling).
I recommend daily water changes of at least 10%, twice daily if necessary, keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels and tough it out until the tank cycles (ie. until nitrite and ammonia are at zero).
*sigh* I really don't want to sound harsh here but this is another prime example of trying to run before you can walk.
Keep with the regular water changes. Your tank is still cycling, you have added way too many fish in one go. IMO fishless cycling is the safest bet, cycling with fish is just downright cruel.
Kossy is right on one part, this is an important lesson. Anna is right to say that leaving the water to stand for a week ain't gonna do jack.
Keep with the regular water changes. Your tank is still cycling, you have added way too many fish in one go. IMO fishless cycling is the safest bet, cycling with fish is just downright cruel.
Kossy is right on one part, this is an important lesson. Anna is right to say that leaving the water to stand for a week ain't gonna do jack.
i had the tank running for about a week with out fish the i added t mollies. the 5 days later i added 2 angles. then 7 days later i added the other fish. the nirate and nitriate levels are at zero. the ammonia is between 6.0 and 7.0. the ph is 7.6. the high ph is between 7.8 and 8.0. i know the ammonia is supposed to be at zero but i dont know how to get it there i have tried every type of chemical but it doesnt help any. 
S
smb
Guest
Everyone already gave the cause and course of action you should take. Like already mentioned, your tank is cycling. You are experiencing an bacteria bloom because they are multiplying so fast with all the "food" for them in the water and it looks cloudy.
I would add some filter media and gravel in a nylon or mesh net from an already established tank (lfs's tank if you don't have another one) and do what Alien Anna suggested and do 10% water changes daily. That sometimes might make the cycling take longer, but at least your fish will have a chance.
I would also feed very sparingly. Feed about half of what you think you should feed or regularly feed and take all uneaten food out immediately. Don't feed your plecos at night and leave the wafer in there if you can induce them to feed with the lights on. I would also only feed the pleco once or twice a week for now since they tend to have to have time to find the food and eat and it has to sit in there.
Click on my sig for a good discussion and opinions on cycling, with a couple good links provided in the posts also.
I would add some filter media and gravel in a nylon or mesh net from an already established tank (lfs's tank if you don't have another one) and do what Alien Anna suggested and do 10% water changes daily. That sometimes might make the cycling take longer, but at least your fish will have a chance.
I would also feed very sparingly. Feed about half of what you think you should feed or regularly feed and take all uneaten food out immediately. Don't feed your plecos at night and leave the wafer in there if you can induce them to feed with the lights on. I would also only feed the pleco once or twice a week for now since they tend to have to have time to find the food and eat and it has to sit in there.
Click on my sig for a good discussion and opinions on cycling, with a couple good links provided in the posts also.
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