Filtering Concern.

[al4]

My mom had the bright idea of getting fish - we went through the whole cyling thing, and we got two little Zebra Danio's.

We had those for 6 day's, at which point she got two botom feeders and two big belly molly's.

The water itself is getting kind of, I don't know how to describe it, but it's not as clear as it used to be. I can also see some hair in there (but the tank is fairly well enclosed - who knows, maybe the cats are going swimming). We have a 10 gallon tank, 6 fish and a Tetra Whisper PF-10.

I have a feeling it may not be enough (considering 6 fish per a 10 gallon tank).

What has me mostly concerned is the big bellied mollies don't ... swim. They just kind of hover towards the top.

I will replace a few gallons of the water and hopefullly that'll make the top of the water a bit "clearer".

I'm just looking for some input.

Thanks!

 

[BigIan]

hair and general crud will get into the tank no matter what....

what are the water stats???

you should be carrying out water changed weekly and vacing the tank floor,

your tank is well and truly stocked now,

 

[al4]

hair and general crud will get into the tank no matter what....

what are the water stats???

you should be carrying out water changed weekly and vacing the tank floor,

your tank is well and truly stocked now,

No idea how to get the water stats. Any links?

Yeah, I have to change the water later today (was thinking about 3 gallons).

Vacing the tank floor? I have not heard of that yet. Any links?

 

[juicebox]

you get water stats by testing your water. at your fish/pet store, there should be test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and other things. since you are just starting out, i suggest buying some test kits for the conditions i mentioned (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).

yes, you should change about 2-3 gallons of your tank water every week.

cloudiness might be from overfeeding. fast your fish for a day or reduce their food intake and see if that clears your water up.

you can vacuum your tank's floor with a siphon; they look like this.

good luck!

 

[al4]

you get water stats by testing your water. at your fish/pet store, there should be test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and other things. since you are just starting out, i suggest buying some test kits for the conditions i mentioned (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).

yes, you should change about 2-3 gallons of your tank water every week.

cloudiness might be from overfeeding. fast your fish for a day or reduce their food intake and see if that clears your water up.

you can vacuum your tank's floor with a siphon; they look like this.

good luck!

Looks like my mom changed the water before I did - what can I do to make sure the water change doesn't affect them?