Ment4ll

I got a 10 gl tank about 4 weeks ago and added 3 goldfish to cycle it, about 1.5 weeks ago I added a plecostomus to the tank and it was doing fine.. then about 3 days ago I noticed red dust covering the tank which I assume is diatoms and is signifying that the nitrogen cycle is almost complete... problem is I woke up this morning and the plecostomus was dead... was the harsh conditions of the water just too much for him? and do I need to do something about the diatoms or will they disappear as time finishes the cycle?

capekate

Hello and welcome to fishlore.
sorry to hear your problems with your tank. Its not a good idea to cycle with goldfish, as they are such high waste producers, your tank will surely have a lot of ammonia and waste while trying to cycle. The diatoms are not necessarily an indicator of a cycled tank. Also IMO your ten gal tank is too small for three goldfish and a pleco. What is your water change schedule like?

~ kate

sirdarksol

Welcome to fishlore. Sorry about your aquarium problems. Capekate is right, a 10g tank is too small for the waste load of even one decent-sized goldfish, let alone three plus a pleco. Goldfish are very heavy waste producers and need really big tanks. Unfortunately, the pleco probably succumbed to ammonia poisoning.
Your best options would be to find someone who has a tank large enough to take three goldfish off your hands (a fish store might be willing to do so) and get a smaller fish after cycling your tank (Here's a link to ways to cycle your tank sans fish http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm)
or getting a larger tank (the first option is obviously the cheaper of the two).
There are, unfortunately, very few fish that are small enough to live in a 10g tank who are happy living in small enough groups to fit in a 10g. Bettas are one of the best fish, as they actually need to be alone. There are a few dwarf versions of larger fish that can also be very happy in a 10g.
Let us know if you have any other questions, and we will do our best to answer them.

Good luck

Ment4ll

Well that sucks... heh, thanks for the advice... I change 10% of my water weekly.. I figured the pleco died of poisoning.. so what should I do about the diatoms? they're unsightly, or will they go away in time? 2 of my goldfish are about 2 inches long and the other is 1 maybe.. I figured this was ok due to the 1 inch per gallon rule of thumb.. but I understand a 10gl is too small if they create unusual amounts of waste individually

jsalemi

Diatoms will go away on their own as the phosphorous is used up in the tank. Usually takes a week or so.

capekate

I had Diatoms for over a month. So what I did was clean them off the decorations and glass as needed. Its not necessary, but pretty unsightly, and I like a clean tank look.

~ kate

Ment4ll

yea they are gross looking lol

I removed a few plants and wiped the inside glass, the rocks are still covered but it looks better.. also I found my filter was barely working so that more than likely had a huge part in the death of George Clooney aka my pleco

Barbrella

You'll need at least 30 gallons for the 3 goldfish.

Too bad about the pleco.