richnyc

I just bought a 10 gal tank and some fish. Im very new to this and I have no clue on what im doing. I set up the tank (Filter, air pump, heater) and added the fish right away ( 2 gold fish, 2 pleco fish and one crayfish. This is the 2nd day and it is really cloudy in the tank. Reading everyones experience I believe that im going to lose the fish. I heard some you guys speak about biospira. Can someone break down to me what levels of amonia, nitrates, nitrites and all that other stuff is considered a healthy tank? and how do I test my water to see if they meet? Thanks alot!!

KittieKat

yeah that was definately a bad idea to get the fish right away. tanks have to be cycled before use... i wish u the best but cant really offer too much info because id hate to give u bad advice ALWAYS research before u do something... this advice is always correct

Chief_waterchanger

I would recommend taking the fish back.

Goldfish are temperate water fish (they enjoy cooler temperatures 60-low 70s)
Plecostomus are tropical (upper 70s to low 80s)
Crayfish are hostile and kill anything they can, and are usually prey of anything it can't kill.

Goldfish need atleast 20-30 gallon tank for one by itself, and 10-20 more gallons per goldfish after that.
plecostomus tank needs depend on the species, but the common plecostomus need a 75 gallon tank.

There is no advice on how to cycle the tank with those fish in it... those fish do not need to be in it, therefore if I were to advise you on how to cycle it anyway I would feel as though I were condoning that.

angelfish220

I agree with cheif waterchanger. Most lfs, the good ones anyway, will take fish back and it is definately in the best intrest for the fish.

richnyc

Thanks .. But can you break down the sciences to the amonia..nitrites..nitrates.. pH.. aand what levels of each is healthy..pllease..

Chief_waterchanger

http://www.fishlore.com/WaterChemistry.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

There ya are.

angelfish220

First do you have a testing kit. the best one is api master freshwater kit. for the water to be healthy enough to add fish there should be no ammonia or nitrires and 5-10 nitrates. different kinds of fish like different phs but most common fish that would fit in your 10 gal would like it right around nutral or 7. my tank is slightly soft, 6.8 and every thing is good in that so really most fish can slightly adapt to the tank.

richnyc

thanks againn..