New Tank Setup With Cloudy Water

[Rapsy]

Hi Everybody.
Apologies if this has been answered before but i have have a bit of a problem. I have a Jewel Rio 300, which has just been filled for the first time. I have not added any fish yet and intend to add fantailed goldfish at some point when the water has the correct No3 mg/l reading. I have added gravel, which has been cleaned and rinsed, along with some artificial weed which has also been cleaned and rinsed, but it developed a grey hazy color within the first 36 hours. Being new to keeping fish in larger tanks, i do not know if cycling is the cause as there are no fish in the tank at the moment. Could anyone offer any advice on what the cause might be and what to do please.
Many thanks.

 

[BerryAttack]

Hi Everybody.
Apologies if this has been answered before but i have have a bit of a problem. I have a Jewel Rio 300, which has just been filled for the first time. I have not added any fish yet and intend to add fantailed goldfish at some point when the water has the correct No3 mg/l reading. I have added gravel, which has been cleaned and rinsed, along with some artificial weed which has also been cleaned and rinsed, but it developed a grey hazy color within the first 36 hours. Being new to keeping fish in larger tanks, i do not know if cycling is the cause as there are no fish in the tank at the moment. Could anyone offer any advice on what the cause might be and what to do please.
Many thanks.

The cloudiness is caused by a bacterial bloom that is essential for the health of your aquarium. They are the "de-nitrifying" bacteria that are the cycle of your tank. Because it is a brand new tank, they are just starting to become established, and will soon settle into the filter media and the gravel in your tank. They are good don't worry!

Don't change the water unless your ammonia levels start to creep up, and leave the filter alone so the bacteria can hang out in there. It may take up to two weeks for this to clear up. Just be patient and it will work itself out..it is just a temporary problem.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Cloudiness in a new tank is very common, and not really a problem. If it does not clear up on its own in a few days you can water change it out.

 

[Axyadbad]

I'm in the same position, but only a few hours in. I did a 10% water change and its decreased the cloudiness, should I leave it to settle or not? I'm confused haha

 

[Gvilleguy]

Based on prior threads I have seen, it seems like new tanks commonly cloud up pretty quickly. When it happened to me I did a huge water change to clear it up since my cycle was only a couple days old. But I think you can also leave it....personal preference.

 

[turtlegirl]

I'm in the same position, but only a few hours in. I did a 10% water change and its decreased the cloudiness, should I leave it to settle or not? I'm confused haha

What is your water testing ?

 

[Axyadbad]

I'm in the same position, but only a few hours in. I did a 10% water change and its decreased the cloudiness, should I leave it to settle or not? I'm confused haha

What is your water testing ?

There was a tiny bit of ammonia and obviously 0 nitrite and nitrate, I've forgotten how much ammonia but I have written it down, I've put in some fish food because I haven't got any ammonia yet but I'm not sure if that will have taken effect so quickly?!

 

[Moby-Krib]

Ammonia should be 0 as well, be certain you are reading it correctly as a green tint is easy to bleed form outside sources or left over from a water change and a test to early. .

Cloudy is not a problem normally.. a slight bacterial bloom and many other "NEW TANK" maladies may haunt for a month or three.
Diatoms aka brown algae is the next post I expect from you. this is annoying but good in its own way.. Post when you see it so as we know you are on tract.

I always commend those Whom take the fish-less path, cudoes fish keeper, well done.

 

[Rapsy]

Thanks for the replies, its much appreciated. i welcome your comment Moby-Krib re taking the fishless path, i suppose the next question would be when should i add the fish? Should i ideally leave it until i have a clear tank, or would adding the fish before help the cycling process and ultimately the fish themselves? I do not want to add the fish until i know they will be safe.

 

[Moby-Krib]

Thanks for the replies, its much appreciated. i welcome your comment Moby-Krib re taking the fishless path, i suppose the next question would be when should i add the fish? Should i ideally leave it until i have a clear tank, or would adding the fish before help the cycling process and ultimately the fish themselves? I do not want to add the fish until i know they will be safe.

I would prefer , and the fish would even more so you fully complete a fish-less cycle in full.. the bacteria to deal with bio load is needed no doubt..
you will suffer in excess work along side the stock being poisoned off to a burial if not. filtration is king.. cycling enables filtration.

you may just need a nudge in the right direction but do not introduce until you have clean readings please..

12 hrs is the norm for a full clear and a cleared tank.. I however would say a bit less , not much mind you, but if you had a full clear in 18-20. and weren't to over stock a mbuna then maybe..

That is a personal call though..

ignore the bloom if your reading are clear.. stock slowly at first though as a new filter is fragile..
given 6 months to a year they become hearty and resilient..

 

[Gvilleguy]

Rapsy, the "do and do not" thread in my signature provides the most common path fishless cyclers take to get fish in the tank.

And I agree with Moby....even after your tank is cycled the water stats can fluctuate greatly until it really matures...up to 12 months in my case.