First Tropical Fishtank

[walderston]

Hi All,
 
I am a complete newbie to keeping fish.
 
I  purchased a Biorb flow 30. I know it is a small tank, however I only plan to keep about 6 neon tetra.
On Saturday, when I added the water with Aquasafe treatment everything in the tank was clear. There was alot of small bubbles on the rocks(plastic), the plant (plastic) and on the underwater heater  and I did clean everything before adding it in. 
 
2 days later with the filter and heater being on, the water has turned a slight grey colour (I'm sure this a bacterial bloom from what I have read from different sites) My question is, does this mean that I started the tank cycle and once it has gone clear and the levels in the water are ok, I can add me neon tetra?
 
Any advise on this would be great. 
 
I will add, that when the water changed colour, all the small bubbles disappeared that was on everything. 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

First of all, welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy it here.

Adding Aquasafe just makes the tap water safe to be used in your tank. You need to now think about cycling and preparing for the fish. I suggest you take a look here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/ and particularly the fishless cycling section. You will need to get hold of some ammonia now but read this and you'll be on your way!

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask and I'm sure someone will be around to offer guidance/help. With a little patience now you will reap the rewards long term.

 

[rosat]

bacterial bloom do not occur within 2 days..  It may take 2 weeks to a month... and that also requires presence of at least 1 fish.
 
I would suggest to start with 1-2 fishes.. and wait 2 weeks..  during this period keep 20% water change after every 3 day..  I hop this will help..

 

[TallTree01]

bacterial bloom do not occur within 2 days..  It may take 2 weeks to a month... and that also requires presence of at least 1 fish.
 
I would suggest to start with 1-2 fishes.. and wait 2 weeks..  during this period keep 20% water change after every 3 day..  I hop this will help..

This is untrue.

Hi walderston,
Good to see another biorb owner here! After you fishless cycle you can begin thinking of stocking. I am keeping 9 neon tetras in my biorb 105. I'm afraid that 8 gallons is about 2 gallons too small for neon tetras. It would be ok I guess but id say a 10 gallon is the minimum for neons.

 

[techen]

I agree tank is too small for neons or anything fish wise. You could get shrimp and plants?

 

[TallTree01]

fish wise there are some species that would work. Bettas or guppies pretty much sums it up.

 

[walderston]

what about the cloudy water all of a sudden? Its not really cloudy, more like a slight grey mist.... anything to be concern with, or just wait until it clears. 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

bacterial bloom do not occur within 2 days..  It may take 2 weeks to a month... and that also requires presence of at least 1 fish.
 
I would suggest to start with 1-2 fishes.. and wait 2 weeks..  during this period keep 20% water change after every 3 day..  I hop this will help..

Hi Rosat. I suggest you take a look at the link in my previous post so you understand the cycling process. It is potentially lethal to put fish in an un-cycled tank, especially one of this size.

what about the cloudy water all of a sudden? Its not really cloudy, more like a slight grey mist.... anything to be concern with, or just wait until it clears.

Did you rinse the gravel when you put it in?

 

[rosat]

thanks

 

[walderston]

bacterial bloom do not occur within 2 days..  It may take 2 weeks to a month... and that also requires presence of at least 1 fish.
 
I would suggest to start with 1-2 fishes.. and wait 2 weeks..  during this period keep 20% water change after every 3 day..  I hop this will help..

Hi Rosat. I suggest you take a look at the link in my previous post so you understand the cycling process. It is potentially lethal to put fish in an un-cycled tank, especially one of this size.
 
Did you rinse the gravel when you put it in?
 
 
 
Yes... Put the gravel in a new bucket, kept water running over it until it ran clear

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Yes... Put the gravel in a new bucket, kept water running over it until it ran clear

Ok, well grey water is not something you'd usually expect so it sounds like there is something not quite right. I'd change the water say 60-80% if not more. Then over the next few days, repeat this daily until the water is clear. Then once things have settled down you can start the cycling process.

 

[walderston]

I have red gravel so don't think it will be that... Also it's slightly cloudy and this morning has slightly cleared... Should I still do the water change?

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I have red gravel so don't think it will be that... Also it's slightly cloudy and this morning has slightly cleared... Should I still do the water change?

Well there could still be dust in it, whatever the colour. A water change won't hurt so I would probably do it. If it's clearer do 50% today and see how it is tomorrow.

 

[TallTree01]

You don't need to hurry or anything as there's no fish in the tank yet. This parts the best: think of all future stocking plans and scapes.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

You don't need to hurry or anything as there's no fish in the tank yet. This parts the best: think of all future stocking plans and scapes.

Agreed. Plenty of time to plan now! Are you thinking of any plants for this tank?