Dead Fish & Cloudy Water

[speakle]

My aquarium has been active for about a month now. I recently lost 2 fish because they managed to get trapped behind the filter (Haven't a clue how they managed to get there). It almost looked like they were getting sucked into the back of it.

I am also suffering from permenant cloudy water. The amonia & nitrate levels are starting to creep up too.

I have lost a couple of other fish which have disappeared completely, I'm asuming they've been eaten.

Is there a chance the filter is contaminated by remnants of the dead fish? Also, I have an air stone very close to the filter which does pass the bubbles around the filter.

Any suggestions greatfully received.

 

[Harlequins]

Hi & welcome

If you tank has only been set up for a month,your filter is still cycling,and the cloudyness is probably bacteria bloom set up from having a new tank,this normally settles after the filter and tank becomes mature...

Have a read of this Beginners resource centre it is very good and will explain about the nitrogen cycle etc.

The loss of fish is probably down to ammonia and nitrite poisoning unfortunately you get this when your filter is not fully cycled and the filter cannot handle the bio load from the fish,the fish's poo,breathing and food all produce ammonia which then turns to nitrite.

Cycling can on average take 4-6 wks,sometimes longer.
What fish do you have in the tank?
Can you test your water for ammonia & nitrite and get back to us...after testing the water if you have ammonia/nitrite showing doing a large waterchange will lower this and make it safe for the fish,has you are in a fish in cycle,you may need to do daily,maybe more waterchanges to keep it down to a safe level.