Help! My Aquarium Is Cloudy And I Have New Fish In It!

[GreenA]

Hi guys,

this is only the second time I'm writing on here as I only discovered this site yesterday.

Ok, basically I've done everything my lfs keeper told me to set up a new aquarium. Rinse everything thoroughly, pump, heater, water & conditioner and leave for a couple of days. Then he said I could put 6 fish in, which I have done (he recommended 2 of each so I have 2 swordtails m&f, 2 mollies m&f and 2 guppies both males). Now I know it would have been better to do the cycle without the fish but I he seemed so experienced so I trusted him as I'm new to all this... He also told me that I wouldn't need to buy any test kits as the water would change a lot until it is fully cycled but, again, after I read through this site yesterday, I decided to nip out and get the API test kit and checked the water straight away. Everything was fine (of course the fish had just been added yesterday morning). However, I woke up this morning and the water is very cloudy, it has almost a green touch to it. Tested the water again straight away and my ammonia level is now somewhere between 0-0.25ppm. I don't know what to do?! Is it normal that it gets this cloudy that quickly over night? What actions do I need to take now?

I wish I had found this site sooner.....& I hope you guys can help me as I don't want anything to happen to my fish

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

Right, first thing you need to do is a water change every day of around 50% as the ammonia will keep rising due to the filter not being cycled. Ammonia and Nitrites are very poisonous to your fish, Nitrates are too, but to a lesser extent and your fish can withstand numbers up to around 40.

What you're experiencing sounds like a bacterial bloom, which is usually a sure sign of your filter begining the nitrogen cycle. Apart from the Guppies, the fish you have chosen are pretty hardy, so providing you keep up the 50% daily water changes they should survive.

Have a read of the 'fish-in cycle' threads on this site.

Also, you can buy something called filter aid which will bind the particles together so the filter catches them more effectively as they're that fine it is allowing them to pass through it. I have used this and it is a great product. It makes the cloud worse to start with, but over 24-36 hours your water should be crystal clear again.

Also try to keep feeding to a minimum until the water has stabilised.

Not saying this is correct, but it is very similar to what i did when i first started fish keeping as a very excited newbie that rushed into it without researching first and it worked for me.

Good luck.

 

[GreenA]

Thanks Minnnt. I shall do a water change asap.

 

[minnnt]

And the advice of you not needing a test kit is absolutely terrible. The cycling process is exactly why you need a test kit so you know what is happening and (in a fishless cycle) how much ammonia to add/water to change.

Some LFS advice is awful in my experience, so everything they tell you, make sure you research it when you get home. This site will help you no end and should enable you to go to the LFS, get what you want and not be swayed by incorrect information.

 

[GreenA]

I don't know why he would say it...actually, two of the guys in the shop told me that on a different occasion.... But I'm new to this and I thought that they would know what they are talking about. They probably thing they would make more profit if I came regularly to stock up my tank I'm not happy with them, but also I'm angry with myself....I should have done more research instead of relying on the guy in the shop I hoped knew what he was talking about....

 

[minnnt]

Don't be too hard on yourself, its a common occurance, plus there is nothing set in stone when it comes to fish keeping. 95% of it all is only peoples opinions.

Don't be too hard on yourself, its a common occurance, plus there is nothing set in stone when it comes to fish keeping. 95% of it all is only peoples opinions.

 

[Blubble37]

when one of my friends was dooing a fishless cycle he took his readings over to p@h and asked them what they thought. they told him to scrap his tank and gave him a list of (new tank fish) to buy which would supposedly keep the ammonia down. Thats when he told them he was doing a fishless cycle and adding ammonia and they said he would KILL THE BACTERIA THAD DEGRADE AMMONIA! Stupid or what!

 

[GreenA]

Ok. I've done the water....it's still cloudy but I'll keep testing and changing it daily. I hope I'll get it right.

Thanks again for your help

 

[minnnt]

No problem. Water changes won't help the coudiness, but it will reduch the a, n & n so the fish are less at risk.

 

[laura120381]

hi again greena,

don't panic yet!! it is quite normal that your water will be cloudy in the first few days as your filter is not yet functioning correctly. as stated above this is known as bacterial bloom. the advice you have been given is correct, keep doing the water changes. it is also normal that ammonia levels will rise. your water should clear in a couple of days and the ammonia levels will come down with the water changes. keep testing and if you are unsure, don't be afraid to ask any questions!!

i would seriously think about using a different lfs though!!!

L

 

[gregpeck]

Hi Greena, you should be ok now form the advice everyone has given you.I would certainly change the lfs though,and further more if it was me i would make a complaint for being given such poor advice.How do nitwits like that get jobs at shops like that,its a discrace.Hope it gets sorted anyway.Greg

 

[GreenA]

thanks guys

 

[Hardlife91]

And the advice of you not needing a test kit is absolutely terrible. The cycling process is exactly why you need a test kit so you know what is happening and (in a fishless cycle) how much ammonia to add/water to change.

Some LFS advice is awful in my experience, so everything they tell you, make sure you research it when you get home. This site will help you no end and should enable you to go to the LFS, get what you want and not be swayed by incorrect information.

I found this very true. To be honest, any ideas or questions you have is a lot better posted on here than asking your LFS. Being new to this myself i found the resources topic very good (its at the top of this forum) and would highly recommend you read all of that. Questions you haven't got answers for through that will always be answered by people!

Best of luck
Matt

 

[GreenA]

I'm already in love with this forum

 

[minnnt]

I'm already in love with this forum