Cloudy Fish Tank

Sadie_BGK · Jul 5, 2010

I set up my 20g fish tank around two weeks ago with only water since I was moving and I was getting it ready to add fish to it. When I moved I added my betta and plants and the next day I bought a bag of gravel. They are natural and not painted. I rinsed the gravel well and it was hardly cloudy when I put it into the tank. The next day the water was cloudy and white. It seemed to get progressively worse so today I did a 50% water change. The betta seems to be perfectly fine. I have added all the chemicals I usually add as I've had this tank for a couple years but this is the first time I've had this kind of problem. Before I did the water change the was a fuzz covering the gravel, plants, and ornaments. I haven't seen it before and it was fine before I added the gravel and ornaments. The levels in the tank are good except the water here is a bit hard. No ammonia either. If you have any ideas please tell me.

SlyPolak · Jul 6, 2010

What are you trying to say that the "levels" in the tank are "ok"?? If I read correctly you have an un-cycled tank that you just introduced a betta to, that means you DO have ammonia in there and no bacteria to eat it all up. I am guessing you are having a bacterial bloom since its a brand new setup...... sooooo I suggest you either place the betta back in its original home and go with a fishless cycle or you will probably lose the fish..... with a bloom no amount of water changes will clear it up. I had one a few weeks ago when my niece dumped half a can of food in there when i was not home..... vaccumed the gravel good and in a few days everything cleared up because the bacteria "caught up"........

scotty · Jul 6, 2010

Sadie_BGK said:
I set up my 20g fish tank around [b]two weeks ago[/b] with only water since I was moving and I was getting it ready to add fish to it. When I moved I added my betta and plants and the next day I bought a bag of gravel. They are natural and not painted. I rinsed the gravel well and it was hardly cloudy when I put it into the tank. The next day the water was cloudy and white. It seemed to get progressively worse so today I did a 50% water change. The betta seems to be perfectly fine. I have added all the chemicals I usually add as I've had this tank for a couple years but this is the first time I've had this kind of problem. Before I did the water change the was a fuzz covering the gravel, plants, and ornaments. I haven't seen it before and it was fine before I added the gravel and ornaments. The levels in the tank are good except the water here is a bit hard. No ammonia either. If you have any ideas please tell me.

i'm kinda confused with this

SlyPolak · Jul 6, 2010

I think he had it set up a while ago, then stripped it and now is "re" setting it up... therefore has to cycle again

Sadie_BGK · Jul 8, 2010

I had to strip the tank and move it before resetting it up. The tank is now clear after running three filters in it for a day. Now I have a 30 gallon filter running in it. I put a couple minnows in it and after a few days one died. Is it because it's not cycled?

SlyPolak · Jul 8, 2010

Sadie_BGK said:
Is it because it's not cycled?

Yes, if you do not know what cycling is this is more than likely the problem. Have a read in the Beginning Resource Center and you will learn everything you need..... here --> http

/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/