New Tank, cloudy.

[jameshenry]

Here's my tank.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fish/betta-fish-shop/betta-fish-tanks/aqueon-aquarium-kit-orange-neoglow

I did what the instructions said. Wait 24 hours, treated the water. It's been 12 days, still cloudy. Filter light already went off once and replaced the filter. Any ideas? We know little to nothing about fish. Everything I read said leave it alone. Only 2 fish in it, from another tank that kept getting dirty in a week.

 

[FishFinatic77]

The tank is cloudy because you have a bacteria bloom, meaning that your tank isn't cycled. You have to do a 75% water change, then purchase a water test kit. The aqueon liquid test is the best. Your fish will die if your ammonia and nitrite levels in the water aren't at 0ppm. I would recommend that you research fish in cycling, and follow those instructions. It is extremely important that you act quickly, because your water seems to be really bad right now.
I would do a 50% water change every day until you can get your test kit, just to make sure your fish don't die.
If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Filter cartridges rarely need changed, and it disrupts the cycle, you can leave the cartridge in for years with just rinsing it the manufactures want you do believe they need changed all the time but it's not good for the fish

 

[jameshenry]

Looked up the test kit. You get one use out of it for $15? I don't have the money for this right now.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Looked up the test kit. You get one use out of it for $15? I don't have the money for this right now.

Which test kit is that? The API master test kit has hundreds of uses. For most people the chemicals expire before running out or tests

 

[jameshenry]

Oh I'm looking at it. It says single
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/?tag=ff0d01-20
Not sure why it says single.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Oh I'm looking at it. It says single
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/?tag=ff0d01-20
Not sure why it says single.

Maybe a single kit?

 

[jameshenry]

So I should do a 50% water change? I posted on a couple FB groups and they said to leave it alone. I looked up fish cycling and came up with huge document. Chripes.
So I'll order the kit, do you think I should do a 50% water change?

 

[JuiceBox52]

So I should do a 50% water change? I posted on a couple FB groups and they said to leave it alone. I looked up fish cycling and came up with huge document. Chripes.
So I'll order the kit, do you think I should do a 50% water change?

Water changes could never hurt. When in doubt change it out (stole that from another member)

 

[jameshenry]

So they have the kit at my local petco. I was thinking of maybe a live plant. Don't see that they sell them.

 

[JuiceBox52]

So they have the kit at my local petco. I was thinking of maybe a live plant. Don't see that they sell them.

My petco sell live plants. If you dont see any there try ebay, just make sure the seller has good reviews

 

[jameshenry]

Not gonna happen today. 1/2 way there and I remembered they have "virus hours"

 

[jameshenry]

So here's what I got. Everything seems to be ok except Nitrate 2 and 3, slightly elevated. I did put 2 plants in there today that I got as well.

 

[jameshenry]

 

[Colin_T]

The easiest way to clear cloudy tanks is by doing a 75% water change and gravel cleaning the substrate every day until it clears.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.