New Tank Syndrome

[JasonSonser]

Hey, fellow fish enthusiasts!

I'm new to the hobby - bought my tank this past Wednesday; went to have my water tested on Thursday, and my pH was a little high so the pet shop recommended I put in some driftwood and a little synthetic plant ornament and to wait another day before I put my test fish in.

Woke up yesterday morning to the glorious New Tank Syndrome...went in to get a product for it, and the shop suggested Nutrafin Bio-Clear.

Put 5ml of it into my 10gal tank, as recommended, at about 6 p.m. last night (Friday) and this morning I didn't really see much of a difference.

How long should I wait before I see a difference and to decide whether or not to re-start the process of clearing out and re-filling my tank?

Thanks, friends!

-Jason

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, first of all, I don't think you have new tank syndrome. That refers to ammonia poisoning in fish that have been introduced to a tank with an uncycled filter, and you don't mention any fish.

What you have is a bacterial bloom. It's very common in new tanks and will clear up on it's own.

Can I strongly recommend you have a read of some of the articles in our beginner's resource centre (the link is in my sig)? Nearly every member here would recommend you do a fishless cycle before you start stocking

to the forum, btw

 

[manofish123]

Hey, fellow fish enthusiasts!

I'm new to the hobby - bought my tank this past Wednesday; went to have my water tested on Thursday, and my pH was a little high so the pet shop recommended I put in some driftwood and a little synthetic plant ornament and to wait another day before I put my test fish in.

Woke up yesterday morning to the glorious New Tank Syndrome...went in to get a product for it, and the shop suggested Nutrafin Bio-Clear.

Put 5ml of it into my 10gal tank, as recommended, at about 6 p.m. last night (Friday) and this morning I didn't really see much of a difference.

How long should I wait before I see a difference and to decide whether or not to re-start the process of clearing out and re-filling my tank?

Thanks, friends!


Being new as well - I'v done one fishless cycle tank and halfway thru another. Just my opinion but like the earlier post suggested, I'd definately go for a fishless cycle and read all you can about that process. I'd also wash, boil, and give your driftwood a good cleaning before adding to tank. You'll be amazed at what comes out of that in a hot boiling pot, instead of your new tank.
I didnt add any additives to my new tank other than chlorine remover and time. Started with 5ppm ammonia and waited for it to start producing Nitrites and a 0 reading. Backed off to about 2-3ppm of ammonia after that and did exactly what is explained in this forum. I too had a water clarity issue at first but it goes away on its own without alot of additives. The less junk you can put into the tank the better chance of a good cycling. At least your readings will be true. Wouldnt worry about Ph now anyway. Again - this is just my opinion.

-Jason

 

[4seasons]

I'm new to the hobby - bought my tank this past Wednesday; went to have my water tested on Thursday, and my pH was a little high so the pet shop recommended I put in some driftwood and a little synthetic plant ornament and to wait another day before I put my test fish in.

Woke up yesterday morning to the glorious New Tank Syndrome...went in to get a product for it, and the shop suggested Nutrafin Bio-Clear.

Welcome to fish keeping. You are lucky that you found this site before you bought any fish and if you listen to the experts here they can safe you lots of time and trouble. I just have 3 bits of advice for you now.

1. Don't buy any fish yet. You can do a fish-less cycle on your tank and avoid daily water changes for the next 2-3 months and waking up to find dead fish anyway. If you buy fish now you will only be exposing them to toxins in your tank and making a lot of work for yourself to keep them alive.

2. Read lots! Start here on the Beginners Resource Center
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/
Pay close attention to the nitrogen cycle and how to do a fish-less cycle.

3. Stop buying additives to put in your tank. You only need 3 things to get started. Tap water dechlorator (Seachem Prime is a good one) a liquid test kit (most of us use the API Master Freshwater kit) and a source of ammonia. If you ask for ammonia at a fish store they will look at you like you are crazy and tell you that will kill your fish. Most fish stores have no clue about fish-less cycling and only want to sell you useless junk to get your money. There are some good ones out there but being that yours has convinced you that you PH is too high so they could sell you something and then sold you something to clear cloudy water (completely pointless) tells me that you are dealing with a bad one.