Need Help With Cloudy Water No Fish Yet In The Tank

[thenewguy]

hello this is my first post i just got a 20 gallon tank from my sister for Christmas i have let it run for two days so far yesterday i placed a new rock and plant in it yesterday. sorry the tank is set up completely with a filter heater and a volcano that makes bubbles sorry new to the whole fish tank world. it was fine for a day and a half then i put in the rock and then everything went cloudy i don't know what to do. the only chemical i have added is the one to remove chlorine from my water and that is all.

 

[Westwood]

It could be a bacterial bloom, theses are common during cycling of the tank!
For all the info you will ever need to know on this can be found HERE
Also, Welcome to the forum.

Westwood

 

[Monacos Tropical Fish]

hello this is my first post i just got a 20 gallon tank from my sister for Christmas i have let it run for two days so far yesterday i placed a new rock and plant in it yesterday. sorry the tank is set up completely with a filter heater and a volcano that makes bubbles sorry new to the whole fish tank world. it was fine for a day and a half then i put in the rock and then everything went cloudy i don't know what to do. the only chemical i have added is the one to remove chlorine from my water and that is all.

This is acommon problem. Do not add fish now! A common bloom of bacteria is taking place. Change about 2 or 3 gallons of water daily until the water clears. Usually 3 days does it. When you add the first fish, do not feed them for a couple of days or the condition will repeat. For future feeding instructions remember one rule. "Feed too little, too often!!!" Good Luck! Bob

 

[rob158]

to the forum,

 

[thenewguy]

thank you everyone the link i was given told me to sit it out for a couple of days so that is what i am going to do i guess it also said changing the water will not do much to help. if anyone else wants to tell me something else to do it is really helpful

 

[Monacos Tropical Fish]

While the advice you have received is sound, the small changes of a couple gallons of water each day for a few days achieves another goal. Even after rincing, the initial water in your aquarium has chemical residue from the objects you have chosen to decorate. I would even guess if you open the lid you can smell chemicals. As one of your responders suggested, it can do no harm to change a little water each day until the water clears. Your water will clear, as predicted, either way. Now for your next suggestion: Read the links you have received and you will see the words "do not overfeed". These words have been posted for as long as there have been forums. Be careful!! The most commom interpretation is to conclude: "OK, I'll just feed once or twice a day." This conclusion will start you down the path of failure because you will instinctively choose an amount (a pinch) that you believe will last the fish all day. When you receive your first fish, do not feed for a couple of days and then choose an amount that seems to just tease the fish but feed often!! 4 or 5 fish should be fed no more than 1 average sized flake (broken up). However, you can feed many times per day!! Even 10 times. Maybe a few times before work or school and then again many times when you get home. Never a pinch at a time!! The most common answer (on this forum) to problems with your aquarium will sound like, "Don't overfeed your fish." or "You are overfeeding your fish.". The truth is you are not overfeeding. You are polluting your aquarium. So, go back to my original recommendation. Feed too little, too often! You don't have fish yet so there is no problem, but be careful interpreting "Don't over feed". Good Luck!! Bob

 

[Carlovel1]