Cody6511

First Hello to everyone! I just am getting into this hobby so any help will be much appreciated!!

Ok so my problem is my cloudy tank water. I have done 2 15-20% water changes in the past 2 weeks, added water clearing solutions, and changed one of the filters in my penguin 350. All of this and no results. This is incredibly frustrating because all of my levels check out ok on my test strips but i cant figure out why my water is still cloudy. btw it is a white cloud, not green or yellow. The tank has been up and running since about the 20th of Feb. 2010 and its a 55 gal. I added filter bags to my penguin 350 today filled with carbon. All of my fish seem to be happy and healthy so at least its not affecting them.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!!

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore!!
Usually cloudy water is caused by a bacterial bloom in new tanks.
Do you know the readings for ammonia and nitrites?

michael68

dont use the water clearifier it never worked for me.The water will clear over time once the tank is through its cycle.You can try adding a polishing pad to your filter once the water clears.Fluval makes a great pad for their canister filter.These things keep your water crystal clear.

Cody6511

Thank you both for the input! As for my levels, they are both zero. So this doesn't seem to be bad. How long do you think it will take for the water to become clear?

And is there any thing I should be doing to help it? Like more water changes or anything?

Thanks!!

AlyeskaGirl

Performing partial water changes will help, but you have to let the tank do it's cycle and it will clear itself. Be patient. Can take several days.

I've read your aquarium info and you are using a beneficial additive, Start Zyme? It wont fully cycle your tank if you are using it because it contains the wrong kind of bacteria, that's why you have to keep adding it after each water change or whatever the directions say. 2nd, test strips don't give accurate readings. The most reliable test kit is the API (liquid) Master Test Kit.

Cody6511

Oh ok I didn't know that! So when i do my water changes should i just add the water conditioner to treat my tap water and then forget about adding the start zyme?

Shawnie

Hi cody ...welcome to fishlore! GREAT advice from AlyeskaGirl
at this point, I would get some prime or amquel+ and start doing daily water changes .. you can read about them here http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aq...ling-fish.html
....add one of those to keep the fish safe from ammonia/nitrite poisoning and change every 24 hours.....do this until the tank finishes cycling....the water changes will help clear up the water and keep the fish safe.....dont use stress zyme as it wont cycle the tank properly ....DO NOT change anything in the filters...thats where your beneficial bacteria establishes itself...it will take a few weeks of the water changes with prime or amquel+ , but patience is something most of us learn the hard way when having fish .....and the last advice is the test strips you have are very unreliable so while the tank cycles, id save up and buy an api master liquid test kit....it has everything you need in one kit and will do 100s of tests for you....as long as you are using the strips, I wouldnt count on the results you get from them good luck and please share pics when you can

Cody6511

Thanks for the advice!!! So when i do the water changes do maybe like 10% daily would you say? And as for pics i definately will post some when i get all of this mess cleared up

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated, whether it be about this situation or not. I am very open to suggestions and i just want my fish and the tank to be in best shape as possible!!

Thanks again so much!

Shawnie

I would do about 30% changes every day to be safe until you can get a proper kit....but the prime or amquel+ is something needed to keep the fish safe .....I hope things look up soon!

Cody6511

Ok, im going to the store to get either prime or amquel+ depending on what they have there. Ill plan on doing 30% changes daily adding one of these products each time. Does that sound good, or should i do some more as well?






just returned from the store did a 30% water change and added 5 tsp. of Amquel+.

And an update, my little angel fish isn't doing well
Is this relatated to the bacteria?

Butterfly

Welcome to FishLore!
No it's related to the tank going through a cycle. As the tank cycles(can take as long as 8 weeks) the beneficial bacteria that turns fish waste(ammonia which is toxic) into Nitrites(which are a little less toxic than ammonia) into Nitrates( which unless in high numbers is not toxic to fish) multiplies so it can convert all fish waste(ammonia) automatically into less toxic substances. When enough BB has multiplied to take care of the waste of all your current fish the tank will be cycled and your readings will be ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 20 or less.
The cloudiness your experienceing is the BB trying to multiply fast enough to take care of the waste in the tank. That's why you are doing water changes- to keep ammonia and nitrites as low as possible.

Fish who are in a tank that is cycling frequently get sick, some even die. But with the steps your taking with the Amquel + and water changes I think your fish will make it.
I think your angel is just feeling the effects of the cycling tank.
Sorry didn't mean to write a book
Carol

Cody6511

Its no problem Carol! thanks for the info i was planning on adding discus nest week but im glad i am talking to you all because im definately not going to spend the money on them just so they can have a hard time in the tank. I will continue to do the water changes daily. I am so bummed about this situation though, its really discouraging and my little angel died tonight, he just couldnt take it

thanks for the info though, i really appreciate it!

AlyeskaGirl

Awwww, I am SO sorry about your Angel! they don't do well in a tank that is cycling, really all fish don't do well, but some are more sensitive then others, just to name some Discus, Angelfish, Cory catfish or most catfish which include Plecos, Loaches and Gourmais.

As for Discus, not a fish reccommended for beginners, should be a species only tank as they require warmer temps then most other tropical fish such as 84-86. Can not even be a trace of ammonia or nitrite in the tank as they are super sensitive fish due to that should be added to a more established tank meaning older water. Also need frequent water changes to keep good water quality. They also are a Cichlid and can be aggressive when they pair off.

You need to get the tank cycled before you add anymore fish. Keep up on those daily water changes. You are doing great!

Cody6511

Thanks for the encouragement!! I will take note about the discus. I really wanted to make my tank an all discus tank eventually but i got the tetras, and danios because my local fish store said they were good to help start the cycling process. I will wait until i know more about aquariums, and i have an established tank to do discus I think they are the coolest fish!!

I did another 30% change today. Should i vacuum the gravel everyday as well? or should i just do that once or twice a week?

Thanks!!!

talvin7111

This is mainly caused by bacterial bloom see the nirtie cycle.
plus dont overfeed the also leads to the bloom but a water change is the first thing you do.

for this vacuum the gravel per fortnite or if your a clean freak per week. You dont want to stress yor fish out with a giant arm stickin in the water wth a gravel siphon.

Cody6511

Thanks for the advice! My water is getting clearer by the day, and its starting to look pretty good!! Thanks everyone for their helpful tips!!

Thanks for the help everyone!!

Attached Images

Tank.jpg (790.9 KB, 58 views)

Shawnie

looks like its coming along great! NICE job!

Cody6511

Thanks Shawnie! it was because of everyone on here things are looking up for me!

AlyeskaGirl

Glad to hear things are looking up for you! Looks great!