No offence meant, but it sounds to me like you are waiting for suggestions that mean you dont need to take any of the fish back. It seems that there is not magic way to get around the problem. The tank is overstocked and numbers needs reducing.
No offence meant, but it sounds to me like you are waiting for suggestions that mean you dont need to take any of the fish back. It seems that there is not magic way to get around the problem. The tank is overstocked and numbers needs reducing.
A test kit would now be helpful. Understanding the chemistry of the water may help to diagnose why the water is cloudy..
Have you performed any water changes following the returning of the fish.
Did a search on cloudy smelly tanks and overstocking is the common denominator.. Hopefully with some water changes the water chemistry will improve and the smell and cloudiness will reduce.
The kit is always a good thing to have, so your doing the right thing. Fish keeping should be renamed water and fish keeping. If you keep the water well, then the fish bit is made much easier.
Good luck.
Squid
If you're interested in the science of the tank, the cloudy water and smell is caused by excess ammonia and proteins in the water from fish waste. This will also cause foaming. If you can agitate the surface of the water and the bubbles don't pop almost instantly, I guarantee that you have ammonia in the water.
A test kit would prove very helpful to determine exactly how much ammonia has built up.
The best thing to do is keep doing daily partial water changes, until things settle down. Once established you can slow down to weekly water changes.
Did a search on cloudy smelly tanks and overstocking is the common denominator.. Hopefully with some water changes the water chemistry will improve and the smell and cloudiness will reduce.
The kit is always a good thing to have, so your doing the right thing. Fish keeping should be renamed water and fish keeping. If you keep the water well, then the fish bit is made much easier.
Good luck.
Squid
Thanks for all the help squid.
Done anothe water change tonight and each night I have done it the water condition has improved.
Still cloudy tonight, but much better.
No fish Have died in the last 24hrs, so must be improving
thanks again