Prjess

For the last few weeks my tank water has been very dirty. I have always done weekly partial water changes, but recently when I did so the water came out brown. In spite of the fact that I have been doing 10% water changes daily and 20% water changes once a week, the water is still very dirty. I keep the tank light on during the daytime, more so for the live plants as once i stopped and the plants died. I realize I have a few more fish than the # I read I was supposed to have but that is because the platy keeps having babies, which by the way I am thrilled about and I think it's OK as all my fish are very small. I now have 15 total if you count the babies. I use the Cycle product once a week during the 20% water change and the water isn't so much cloudy as it is dirty. Also worth mentioning the levels have all been pretty consistently normal and the fish seem healthy and happy. What should I do? I also have a bit of a snail problem, but I am handling that by just removing them when I can catch them.

Shaina

According to your tank info, your tank is really, really, incredibly overstocked. Trying to perform enough water changes to keep up is a losing battle for this tank, and to stop would mean a quick death for your fish.

I would recommend either rehoming the majority of those fish or setting up another tank and splitting the stock. IMO, another 10 gal would not be enough...you're second tank would have to be bigger. Much bigger, if you intend to keep breeding fish.

cn1561

I wouldn't bother with cycle. It never made a noticable benefit for me.
Or get another tank and put a betta with in the tank you keep the platies and guppies in to keep the baby population down But mainly you need more water and surface area so I'd get a tetra kit that has a complete setup
My suggestion

20gal
5 Zebra Danios
2 Cherry Barbs
3 Cory cats
29gal
2 adult Platty
2 Guppies
2 Catfish
1 Male betta

Prjess

To be honest, now i am having doubts if I have a 10 gallon tank and not a 20 gallon tank, how do I know for sure? Also, tried putting my betta in the tank and the other fish freaked out so I took him back out.

CHoffman

Betta's do not belong in a tank with any other fish.

Shaina

Measure it. Length, width, and height.

Then you can either calculate volume or you can post the dimensions here. Chances are it's a standard size and we will know off the top of our heads...if not, I keep a calculator on my desk at all times...

Still too many fish for a 20 gallon too though, IMO.

Shawnie

the product cycle doesnt work..so you need to have a proper cycle with fish because the bacteria are not sustaining in cycle like you need....its something you will have to use for the life of the tank and the day you dont, it stops the entire cycle process..id stop using cycle, get some prime water conditioner, get an API liquid master test kit, and do daily 50% water changes until your cycle is complete with ammonia and nitrites at 0 and 5-20 nitrates...I agree shaina that you are way overstocked and things arent going to look up until you rehome some of these fishies or do daily changes for a long time...goodluck!

bluealuefish

from my experience, platies are big poop producers.. so if you have more platies, that might explain why your water gets dirty faster. that's not good for the fish even though they may "seem" healthy and happy.