Cloudy Issue :(

[SteveBertone]

Hello new here, and i am guessing this is probably *fingers crossed* a commun issue...
 
4days ago i bought my self a 68ltr Aquarium complete with stand, filter, heater, tap safe, Filter start.. etc etc...
I then followed the shops advice..
 
Rinsed the Gravel and fake plants, the one and only ornoment i have.. (a tardis)
i then filled the tank, added the Filter (i didn't add the heater as i am starting with cold water fish, intend to eventualy also have a tropical setup once i have gained more knowledge)
 
I added the "Tap safe" and some Filter start bacteria stuff.. as per the instruction with the kit i bought..
 
All was fine, water remained very clear, yesterday night i moved the filter lower in the water as it was a little loud, and so i lowered the nozzle on the filter so it was below the surface, and the venturi valve was above the water.. so bubbles are generated but it was quiter..
 
tonight i have returned home from work.. and the water seems rather cloudy.. what did i do

.. i had intended to buy a couple of fish tomorrow (5days after setting up the tank), now i'm not so sure..
 
The water is not so cloudy you can't see but it isn't crystal clear, as it has been the last few days.. i hope this makes sense and someone can help
 
As yet there are NO fish in the tank nor has there been any
 
Regards
 
Steve
 

 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Not to worry it's a bacterial bloom. It's quite common in new set-ups. Have a read through the beginners resource center. (link in my sig - there's a thread explaining them.).


Welcome to the board. We'll be here to help all along the way. Never feel ashamed or embarrassed about any question you have and ask. We're used to lots of questions and we're here to help.

 

[SteveBertone]

Thank you very much, i will look through the beginners resource center, i just want to make sure i get everything right before i add fish, as i want to do it properly and have happy healthy fish
 
apprectiate the fast response
 
Steve

 

[eaglesaquarium]

No problem.  You will want to do a fishless cycle.  This will build up the autotrophic bacterial colony that is mentioned in the Bacterial Bloom thread.  These are the bacteria we need to have to convert the poisonous ammonia generated by the fish to a far less harmful substance nitrate, that we remove with regular water changes. (Important to read through the nitrogen cycle thread as well.) 
 
 
There's a good few days of stuff to go through.  Here's what I would suggest... 1) Get yourself some good ammonia - no surfactants or perfumes, just ammonium hydroxide and water - found in the US at Ace Hardware.  Harder to find in some places than others.  2) Get yourself a test liquid kit (API makes a nice master kit.  Its not perfect, but its "good enough").  The kit needs to include ammonia, nitrite and pH tests.  3) Get a liquid medicine syringe (plastic used for dosing baby meds) to dose the ammonia as needed for your tank.
 
 
Read the fishless cycle thread and start "cycling" the tank - and contrary to that thread, I'd only dose to about 2ppm, rather than the recommended 5ppm. 
 
Once you've started that, you will have plenty of time to read up on the rest and research fish that are compatible with each other, your tank, and your water conditions.  There's a lot to learn, which is one if the things I love most about this hobby.

 

[daizeUK]

As Eagle said, if you want healthy fish then a fishless cycle is the best idea.  Don't be frightened if it seems too complicated or long, it's more satisfying in the end!
 
Also I would recommend that you dive in and get that heater now.  After the tank is cycled go ahead and get tropical fish, they're more fun, better suited to a tank your size and just as easy to keep as coldwater fish!
 
P.S - you've got the exact same tank as me!   My filter is set up the same way as yours, with the venturi open and the outlet under the water directed up at the surface.