outlaw

I just setup a fishtank I picked up used. The gravel and filter media is all used. When I put in the water it was literally brown when filled up and could not see anything in the tank. One of the filter pads had clear/brown jelly type stuff on it. The tank itself is very cloudy although it has gotten a lot better. Also there is a lot of stuff floating, almost looks like someone was spitting in it. What can I do to get the other 4 Cichlids into a better setup temporarily. I know I can't just put them all in the 20Gal tank but almost think they would still be better off. It's heated and at least filtered.

Cloudy Tank (Yes, there is a lot of bubbles on the front, but not the issue)


20Gal with the 2 biggest Cichlids


5Gal Bucket with 4 smaller Cichlids (black tube is the air pump)

Trio123

The would be alright in the 20 gallon for a few days until you got the other one cleaned up as long as it has good filtration and your tests (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) are normal. They may fight, because there is little room... you could add a few fake plants so whoever is being picked on has a place of shelter until the larger take is ready. Be carefully when you move them that pH and the temperture are the same or else acclimate them.

outlaw

Cool, thank you!


Any ideas on the cloudy water?

Trio123

Cloudy water is generally a sign of an ammonia problem. I would just get either new insides (sponge, charcoal, ect.) or a whole new filter, change out the water, and rinse that gravel real well. Sounds like you just got a dirty tank.

outlaw

I think it was just REALLY dirty. After it started to clear up, I moved the rocks a little bit and it just got cloudy again. I moved all the rocks around to get it really cloudy again, then drained the water about 60%(kinda like rinsing?). After, I added the decorations which I rinsed off before adding. After re-adding all the water again, it was A LOT clearer.

TEST RESULTS:
Nitrate- 20
Nitrite- 0
Hardness- 75
Alkalinity- 120
PH- 7.2

Would I be able to add 2-3 fish from my small tank to this one for a few days, then add the other 3-4 to it? or even leave a couple in the other tank...

Trio123

If your ammonia was 0 too it would probably be fine but your gonna want to get those nitrates down by doing frequent water changes and not over feeding.

Blub

outlaw

Thanks. It was definately dust and dirt. I did a water change with it really cloudy added a little bit of water conditioner(fishless). Now it is about crystal clear.

Blub

outlaw

I bought the tank used, and it came with 6 cichlids with the largest about 5in long and the smallest about 1.5in long. I just posted the links for 2 pics in my sig.


Ok, they didn't post here, just go HERE.