New To Fish

[cramptonite6]

Hi everyone!!

I bought my 10 gallon tank a week ago and set it up perfectly according to the instructions and background info I read. I waited a few days and was going to buy fish but i held off because the water turned cloudy. The lady at the store said this was normal to happen and that it would clear up. It has been 3 days and it hasn't cleared up. I was told not to do a water change because it would slow the process of cycling the tank. Some people told me just add a few fish and it will clear up in a week or two but won't harm the fish. I dont know what to believe?!?

 

[waterdrop]

You'v'e stumbled on the right place! It can be weeks before your filter will be ready to handle fish. First you need to get the proper test kit and read, read, read! Start by reading the Beginner Resource Center, Cycling Resource Center links pinned at the top of this "New to the Hobby" forum. Then read the fishless cycling article by rdd1952. If you have time, read some of the other threads where beginners ask for help and you can do searches on things using the search tool upper right.

You will need to get a liquid based test kit - you can search on that too.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Colin_T]

In a brand new tank the cloudiness is often dust residue from the gravel. Try wiping down the inside of the glass. It can also be from organic matter breaking down in the water and encouraging a bacterial bloom. You can leave it for a few days and see if it clears. If it doesn't get the water tested for ammonia.
You can do a partial water change that will probably clear it up. Make sure you use water that is free of chlorine and has a similar temperature & PH to the tank water.

When anything rots in the water it releases ammonia and this needs to be broken down by filter bacteria. It takes about a month for the filters to develop enough good bacteria to keep the water clean.

You can do a fishless cycle to get the filters running, or you can add a few fish and let them cycle the tank. If you have fish in the tank while it is cycling the ammonia and nitrite levels that build up can stress them and possibly even kill them. However, if you keep the feeding down to a small amount each day and change part of the water every few days, they are usually fine.

 

[drsoda007]

Hi everyone!!

I bought my 10 gallon tank a week ago and set it up perfectly according to the instructions and background info I read. I waited a few days and was going to buy fish but i held off because the water turned cloudy. The lady at the store said this was normal to happen and that it would clear up. It has been 3 days and it hasn't cleared up. I was told not to do a water change because it would slow the process of cycling the tank. Some people told me just add a few fish and it will clear up in a week or two but won't harm the fish. I dont know what to believe?!?

Hi, to Fishkeeping

10 Gallons, which looks cheap and big enough at the start is a bit small, however if it's what you chose......

You should fishless cycle for 2-4 wks before adding ANY fish [the people at your lfs try to sell you anything that'll make them money]

TIPS:
Try washing your gravel
Wait a little longer

Hope evrything goes well!

 

[LosC519]

Definitely do a fishless cycle. Dont put your fish in toxic water, some fish "might" be fine but they'll have a stressful time in there for those few weeks. Bring them back to the store or give them away. I lost a Betta when I first started out after my cycle was done, the cycling process left him weak and he caught fungus disease. What kind of fish do you have ion there?