Why Is My Water Cloudy?

[Disciple722]

So I am new to fish, and I have always had the desire to own a fish tank. I went out and bought a new 20 gallon tank w/ filter and heater, I followed the instructions that were provided to set up the new tank. Waited about 4 days to let it "cycle" and than put some fish in it. Now the water is very cloudy, it bugs me a LOT to not see clear water, and to know that it is probably not the best thing for the fish.

I have 1 Plecostomus, 1 black Molly, 3 Dalmatian Mollys, 4 mickey mouse fish and a little school of 4 very small fish.

 

[phoenixgsd]

the cloudy water is probably a bacteria bloom, please read the info in this link on cycling http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/ your filter is not cycled unless you are using mature media from a existing tank, your now doing a fish in cycle which will require daily large water changes, how big is your tank? do you have a liquid based test kit?

 

[4seasons]

So I am new to fish, and I have always had the desire to own a fish tank. I went out and bought a new 20 gallon tank w/ filter and heater, I followed the instructions that were provided to set up the new tank. Waited about 4 days to let it "cycle" and than put some fish in it. Now the water is very cloudy, it bugs me a LOT to not see clear water, and to know that it is probably not the best thing for the fish.

I have 1 Plecostomus, 1 black Molly, 3 Dalmatian Mollys, 4 mickey mouse fish and a little school of 4 very small fish.

A tank will not cycle in 4 days without using mature media. Read up on the nitrogen cycle and then start using the fish in cycle method here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/
Basically you need a dechlorinator (we recommend Seachem Prime) a liquid test kit (most of us use the API Master Freshwater kit) and daily large water changes. You have more than a few fish to start out with so you probably have lots of ammonia in your tank killing your fish right now. Also some plecs get very big and may quickly outgrow your 20 gal. What type of plec is it?

 

[Disciple722]

the cloudy water is probably a bacteria bloom, please read the info in this link on cycling http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/ your filter is not cycled unless you are using mature media from a existing tank, your now doing a fish in cycle which will require daily large water changes, how big is your tank? do you have a liquid based test kit?

The tank is a 20 gallon, and no I don't have a test kit

So I am new to fish, and I have always had the desire to own a fish tank. I went out and bought a new 20 gallon tank w/ filter and heater, I followed the instructions that were provided to set up the new tank. Waited about 4 days to let it "cycle" and than put some fish in it. Now the water is very cloudy, it bugs me a LOT to not see clear water, and to know that it is probably not the best thing for the fish.

I have 1 Plecostomus, 1 black Molly, 3 Dalmatian Mollys, 4 mickey mouse fish and a little school of 4 very small fish.

A tank will not cycle in 4 days without using mature media. Read up on the nitrogen cycle and then start using the fish in cycle method here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/
Basically you need a dechlorinator (we recommend Seachem Prime) a liquid test kit (most of us use the API Master Freshwater kit) and daily large water changes. You have more than a few fish to start out with so you probably have lots of ammonia in your tank killing your fish right now. Also some plecs get very big and may quickly outgrow your 20 gal. What type of plec is it?

I'm not exactly sure what kind he is, but he is probably about 3 inches long right now, and only comes out at night when I turn off the light

 

[4seasons]

You NEED a liquid based test kit like the API Master Kit that many of us use. Once you have one post your Ammonia and Nitrite levels and we can advise on what to do next. Until you get some readings the safest thing to do is daily 50-70% water changes with dechlorinated and temperature matched water.
Also as a general rule (although it can be bent with the right filter setup) you only want one inch of fish for 1 gallon of water. Your mollys will grow up to 4 inches (4x4=16) mickey mouse platy up to 3 inch (4x3=12) a plec that is already 3 inch (probably will get much bigger) and something else which is small now but may get bigger. Using my best guess on your unnamed fish at only an inch and using your current size of plec that comes to 35 inches of fish. I know that they may not all be that big yet but they will grow fast. And chances are by the time your platy and molly have grow up your plec will be twice their size you will have way more fish than you can handle in a 20 gallon.
All that said, most of us started this hobby wrong and had to learn along the way. Lucky for you, you found this site early and can pull from the wealth of knowledge here and may not have to learn the same lessons from dead fish and starting all over that some of us have had to do.

 

[Disciple722]

You NEED a liquid based test kit like the API Master Kit that many of us use. Once you have one post your Ammonia and Nitrite levels and we can advise on what to do next. Until you get some readings the safest thing to do is daily 50-70% water changes with dechlorinated and temperature matched water.
Also as a general rule (although it can be bent with the right filter setup) you only want one inch of fish for 1 gallon of water. Your mollys will grow up to 4 inches (4x4=16) mickey mouse platy up to 3 inch (4x3=12) a plec that is already 3 inch (probably will get much bigger) and something else which is small now but may get bigger. Using my best guess on your unnamed fish at only an inch and using your current size of plec that comes to 35 inches of fish. I know that they may not all be that big yet but they will grow fast. And chances are by the time your platy and molly have grow up your plec will be twice their size you will have way more fish than you can handle in a 20 gallon.
All that said, most of us started this hobby wrong and had to learn along the way. Lucky for you, you found this site early and can pull from the wealth of knowledge here and may not have to learn the same lessons from dead fish and starting all over that some of us have had to do.

Ok, I will get a test kit, and tell you what the ammonia and nitrite levels are, and will also do water changes like you said, but I'm not sure in how to dechlorinate the water, any tips on what to do?

 

[Essjay22 137]

Do you have a bottle of something that might be called water conditioner? You dechlorinate water by adding that. If you're not sure, give us a list of any bottles you have and we'll tell you which is a dechlorinator. If you had any free samples with the tank, one of them will be a dechlorinator.

The instructions that come with a tank, like those given by a shop, very rarely tell you the best way to set up a new tank. The best thing you can do, as the others have said, is read up in fish-in cycling. Until you can get that test kit you need to do daily water changes of at least 50%. Once you know how high your ammonia and nitrite levels are, you can tailor the water changes to cope with the conditions.

 

[Disciple722]

Do you have a bottle of something that might be called water conditioner? You dechlorinate water by adding that. If you're not sure, give us a list of any bottles you have and we'll tell you which is a dechlorinator. If you had any free samples with the tank, one of them will be a dechlorinator.

The instructions that come with a tank, like those given by a shop, very rarely tell you the best way to set up a new tank. The best thing you can do, as the others have said, is read up in fish-in cycling. Until you can get that test kit you need to do daily water changes of at least 50%. Once you know how high your ammonia and nitrite levels are, you can tailor the water changes to cope with the conditions.

Ok, and yes I have a small bottle of water conditioner, but it's for my betta's tank, and says "betta water conditioner" on the label, is it safe to use? Or is there a conditioner special to tropical fish?

 

[BlueDragon]

Lots of people use something called Seachem Prime. I've started useing it too and I think it's great stuff. But be aware that at the minuet it can be hard to get hold of. Also, I'm not sure if it's just me or not, but I had such a nightmare trying to find the API testing kit that in the end I've had to buy something else. Still a liquid test kit so I'm sure it's working just as well. But just thought I'd mention that in case you have some trouble finding it. It's got something to do with people selling it cheaper than the company wants them too I think.

 

[McCool]

Lots of people use something called Seachem Prime. I've started useing it too and I think it's great stuff. But be aware that at the minuet it can be hard to get hold of. Also, I'm not sure if it's just me or not, but I had such a nightmare trying to find the API testing kit that in the end I've had to buy something else. Still a liquid test kit so I'm sure it's working just as well. But just thought I'd mention that in case you have some trouble finding it. It's got something to do with people selling it cheaper than the company wants them too I think.

So I'm not crazy? My Petsmart has stopped carrying the API Liquid Nitrate test kit and I haven't seen anyone else complain, so I thought it was just around here. My last two kits I have bought were both faulty (purchased from dif. locations) and now Petsmart stopped selling them.
Glad to see someone else having the same problem!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Another option for you, that hasn't been mentioned yet, is you could try to return your fish to the pet store and try fishless cycling. It is MUCH easier and a whole lot less stressful!

Edit: Here's a link to read about fishLESS cycling: HERE

 

[BlueDragon]

Lots of people use something called Seachem Prime. I've started useing it too and I think it's great stuff. But be aware that at the minuet it can be hard to get hold of. Also, I'm not sure if it's just me or not, but I had such a nightmare trying to find the API testing kit that in the end I've had to buy something else. Still a liquid test kit so I'm sure it's working just as well. But just thought I'd mention that in case you have some trouble finding it. It's got something to do with people selling it cheaper than the company wants them too I think.

So I'm not crazy? My Petsmart has stopped carrying the API Liquid Nitrate test kit and I haven't seen anyone else complain, so I thought it was just around here. My last two kits I have bought were both faulty (purchased from dif. locations) and now Petsmart stopped selling them.
Glad to see someone else having the same problem!

I'm sure it's not just us, but I agree that it does seem strange that peoples are still recomending buying the API when there seems to be such a huge shortage : / I was getting so frustrated trying to find it, thinking "surely I'm missing something here 'cause everyine else has got one!".

 

[McCool]

I'm sure it's not just us, but I agree that it does seem strange that peoples are still recomending buying the API when there seems to be such a huge shortage : / I was getting so frustrated trying to find it, thinking "surely I'm missing something here 'cause everyine else has got one!".

Your the first I've found who has had the same problem. I just find it strange I bought two bad test in a row, when I've never found a problem with them. Hope they get it sorted out soon! I don't really care to switch test

 

[phoenixgsd]

ebay is full of master test kits

 

[Essjay22 137]

Ok, and yes I have a small bottle of water conditioner, but it's for my betta's tank, and says "betta water conditioner" on the label, is it safe to use? Or is there a conditioner special to tropical fish?

Yes, you can use any water conditioner. The only problem you may find with that one is that because betta's are usually kept in small tanks, products labelled for bettas are more dilute so it's easier to measure the small amount you'd need. So you'll run out of it pretty quickly. When you need more, seachem prime is the best one. It's very concentrated and it detoxifies ammonia for around 24 hours. If you are in the UK, you'll have to find a shop that stocks it, either real or on-line, though you won't find it on ebay or amazon.

But you do need to think about the fish you have, some are not suitable for a 20 gallon tank and you have too many fish in total.