10 Gallon Tank Cloudy water keeps killing my expensive fish

To sum up I started 2 new tanks as of late. Wanted something small so I tried a 6.5Gal plastic aqua culture tank. Bought some plastic tree's, a bigger rock formation center ornament piece and rock. THrew out of the filter for a Interpet 10gal 5 stage filter. Purs like a kitten. Got the chemical I was recommended, shocked the tank for a day, dropped in 5 tiger barbs, they lasted about a week with water that was mostly clear, I bought some plants at petco and then within 2 days the fish were all dead, water went extremely white and pffttt. Fish at the time seemed to start crowding and skimming the surface but levels were all fine according to my dip strips. Even did a partial water change. No go.

Fast forward a week, bought a new tank 10Gal this time. All glass from Aqueon. Bought a bigger aqueon heater this time for up to 20gal. (keeps tank at 77-78). Put new (rinsed rock) into the tank, about 2 inches deep, put my rock formation back in, a few of the plastic plants I used before (all rinsed off), the 6 real plants I had, and then this time I added 2 pieces of (African wood that I pre-boiled to shed the tannins) to help with water harness. Filled the tank, added the chemicals, (API- quickstart, stress coat, stress zyme, and Seachem Stability) and prepped the tank for a whole 8 days. The water however, never completely went clear. Still hit an ever so soft white hue. Similar to last time, Added 4 cichlids this time (I get they will get bigger, but 1 inch per 1 gal so I have time to grow my tank size). 2 small zebra cichlids really small ones and one 50 cent sized convict cichlid and another that looked tiny but the same. But convict cichlids acted similar to my tiger barbs after only a day, crowding the surface, hugged the filter/heater and refusing to eat. Although the baby did eat at first, the big one never did. The two convict Cichlids died 12 hours apart being in the tank less then 48 hours. His behavior was weird, he would just hug the water, drift a little, dive down occasionally then right back to the top. Found the small one buried under a plant this morning.

The water got more murky white as of last night, only 2 day into new fish, water tested fine, but i noticed the filter was already the color of mud on both sides. So I pulled out the Bio beads filter cartridge and replaced the filter cartridge. Water isn't completely clearing up, but you can tell the filter is already within 12 hours browinng as well.

So far the 2 zebra cichlids appear to be fine, but I'm worried they are not. I don't know what is causing the water to be this way. And I can't keep spending 60$ on fish that die in 2 days.

Tank:
Aqueon 10 gal (topless) I bought a glass flat top

Light:
I put a sitover LED light that changes based on time of day although this wasn't on the tank for the week prep. So it was still kinda cloudy white before.

Chemicals Used:
API - Stress ZYME (once)
API - Stress Coat+ (once)
API - Quick Start (once)
Seachem Stability (7 day prep)

Filter :
Interpet 3-10 Gal 5 stage super quiet
**
Heater:**
Aqueon Heater 50watt

Plants
Ludwigia - Broad
Java Fern - 1 big one and 2 small ones
Micro Sword - 2 little spots of it
Monte Carlo - 1 small mound

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

Sounds to me you are dealing with an unicycle aquarium with a bacteria bloom.

What are the numbers for your water readings? Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates. I am guessing you are loosing fish to ammonia poisoning.

You are trying to do a fish in cycle. I only do fish less cycles. Someone that does fish in should be along soon.

Best wishes.

 

Welcome to fishlore.

It sounds like you haven’t cycled your tank fully or possibly at all, which might explain some of the problems that you are having. Also, the fish you are adding need much more space than you have, and often aren’t suitable community fish.

I’d suggest you read up in fish-in cycling, which basically involves regular water testing and water changes to keep down levels of ammonia and nitrite to low levels until your tank cycles itself fully.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum! Supper sorry your having issues.

Tips for fish-in cycling your freshwater aquarium - Aquarium Article

There is also a large variety of cichlids with very different care needs. Zebra cichlids need a minimum of a 50 gallon, and convicts need a min of 20. The bioload on that tank is overwhelming. Convict Cichlid Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding Zebra Cichlid Care - Size, Lifespan, Tank Mates, Breeding

Personally, I would try to return them to the petstore. Get my tank cycled, and get something else that will do better in a 10 gallon like a betta, tetras, or some guppies etc.

I'm assuming you took advice from the petstore as many of us did when we first started. Petstores are super misleading. Not just in fish care, but also their reptiles, hermit crabs, small animals, etc.

 

Aside from the cycling which, as others have mentioned is important, and is probably the main reason that your fish died, it is a good idea to research the fish that you are thinking of buying first, because the ones you bought are totally unsuitable for such small tanks.

 

Hello,

It is possible to cycle a new aquarium very quickly, but not with the methods you have tried so far. Do you have access to already cycled filter media?

 

Hello,

It is possible to cycle a new aquarium very quickly, but not with the methods you have tried so far. Do you have access to already cycled filter media?

I don't , and my water is very chloramine heavy and very hard.

Hello and welcome to the forum! Supper sorry your having issues.

Tips for fish-in cycling your freshwater aquarium - Aquarium Article

There is also a large variety of cichlids with very different care needs. Zebra cichlids need a minimum of a 50 gallon, and convicts need a min of 20. The bioload on that tank is overwhelming. Convict Cichlid Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding Zebra Cichlid Care - Size, Lifespan, Tank Mates, Breeding

Personally, I would try to return them to the petstore. Get my tank cycled, and get something else that will do better in a 10 gallon like a betta, tetras, or some guppies etc.

I'm assuming you took advice from the petstore as many of us did when we first started. Petstores are super misleading. Not just in fish care, but also their reptiles, hermit crabs, small animals, etc.

As with the fish size, I understand how big they are going to get and I bought them knowing they were going to outgrow the tank in 1-4 months. And while a 50 gal tank is great, I'm not buying a 50gal tank for a single or even 2 1.5" fish. I'm never going to believe that a single tiny fish needs that ALL that too himself when I can see tanks that size with 80 tiger barbs roaming around together and community tanks with 10-20 fish. The fish were no bigger than a small beta currently, and they weren't in the tank for more then 2 days. I watched the fish I bought in a 20gal tank for 3 weeks while deciding on them and there were 30 cichlids in that tank. So, clearly the current tank size isn't what killed them. And if they made it through the fish cycle and lived I was going to look at a larger tank or multiple 10's. LIving in my 3rd story apartment and moving a lot is out of the question for a larger tank at this time. Maybe if I buy a home eventually. This problem occurred in both my tanks, and I didn't start my first one with 5 fish, i started with 3. And they were smaller then my current ones.

Its the way the fish acted though, both times. My original first run tiger barbs started acting weird, going vertical or top hugging the water. And i did test for ammonia and thought that's what it was. I changed out half the water twice. Although it may have been too late by the time I caught it. But this time the fish aren't acting equally the same, the zebra cichlids have never grazed the water surface, only the convicts did. Which made me question it since both fish came from 2 different tanks. A much larger 100 gallon and a 20 gallon. I changed out 20% of the water tonight, since I don't have local access to amonia fixing chemicals or good test kids, I'm going to have to change water daily and hope for the best till I get a test kit. And honestly the fish are probably going to be dead before then. I hope not, but I won't have time to take them to the fish store, 7-5 job that I drive to out of town pretty much hoses me on that deal till wednesday.

 

I don't , and my water is very chloramine heavy and very hard.

As with the fish size, I understand how big they are going to get and I bought them knowing they were going to outgrow the tank in 1-4 months. And while a 50 gal tank is great, I'm not buying a 50gal tank for a single or even 2 1.5" fish. I'm never going to believe that a single tiny fish needs that ALL that too himself when I can see tanks that size with 80 tiger barbs roaming around together and community tanks with 10-20 fish. The fish were no bigger than a small beta currently, and they weren't in the tank for more then 2 days. I watched the fish I bought in a 20gal tank for 3 weeks while deciding on them and there were 30 cichlids in that tank. So, clearly the current tank size isn't what killed them. And if they made it through the fish cycle and lived I was going to look at a larger tank or multiple 10's. LIving in my 3rd story apartment and moving a lot is out of the question for a larger tank at this time. Maybe if I buy a home eventually. This problem occurred in both my tanks, and I didn't start my first one with 5 fish, i started with 3. And they were smaller then my current ones.

Its the way the fish acted though, both times. My original first run tiger barbs started acting weird, going vertical or top hugging the water. And i did test for ammonia and thought that's what it was. I changed out half the water twice. Although it may have been too late by the time I caught it. But this time the fish aren't acting equally the same, the zebra cichlids have never grazed the water surface, only the convicts did. Which made me question it since both fish came from 2 different tanks. A much larger 100 gallon and a 20 gallon. I changed out 20% of the water tonight, since I don't have local access to amonia fixing chemicals or good test kids, I'm going to have to change water daily and hope for the best till I get a test kit. And honestly the fish are probably going to be dead before then. I hope not, but I won't have time to take them to the fish store, 7-5 job that I drive to out of town pretty much hoses me on that deal till wednesday.

Ya, I defently know we're your coming from with the large tank not being fesable. I don't have room for something like that at the time either. I would really try to find someone online to take them them though. Or get a friend to drop them of at the LPS for you?

They may be small now, but a 10 gallon a piece won't be fesable for these guys as adults. Even as juveniles, the 4 of them are going to put a decent bioload on the 10 gallon tank. They can get half a foot piece as adults.

You could try joining some local aquarium clubs and see if someone would donate some cycled filter media. Once you reach 50 post, you can also access the BSTF forum on fishlore and buy some on their as well.

 

Aside from the cycle, african cichlids like the zebras are just a bad choice of fish here sorry to say.

The logic of a few fish will be fine in a small tank doesn't work. These need to be in a 4ft minimum and overstocked to spread aggression. A few individuals in a small tank will kill eachother or die of stress.

Then there's the tank scape and water requirements... These fish need rock work, plants and wood do nothing for them.

Your tank will look really nice with some small tetras or rasboras E. C. T

 

Ya, I defently know we're your coming from with the large tank not being fesable. I don't have room for something like that at the time either. I would really try to find someone online to take them them though. Or get a friend to drop them of at the LPS for you?

They may be small now, but a 10 gallon a piece won't be fesable for these guys as adults. Even as juveniles, the 4 of them are going to put a decent bioload on the 10 gallon tank. They can get half a foot piece as adults.

You could try joining some local aquarium clubs and see if someone would donate some cycled filter media. Once you reach 50 post, you can also access the BSTF forum on fishlore and buy some on their as well.

2 died, I only have the small 2 left. So its not longer 4. The 2 didn't make it 48 hours. The other 2 seem to be doing better after a partial water change, i will try another in the morning.

 

Did you read about the nitrogen cycle? Those fish really won’t be able to live in those tanks and the cycle is one of the most vital parts of fish keeping. Proper tank size and stocking levels are very important. They cycle just as much. I would rehome the fish you have, properly cycle tank, and figure out fish you like that can happily live in the tank.

 

Sorry you have to deal with all the troubles. One question though, do you use tap water, and if yes, what do you use to de-chlorinate?

 

STOP adding fish! Not sure who's advising you, but you can't keep fish in an uncycled tank. You don't need any of those chemicals (probably recommended by the person selling them). I would start by learning how to do a fish-in cycle. If all your fish die, then you can do a fishless cycle.

You said that you "Got the chemical I was recommended, shocked the tank for a day". What chemical was that? And what does shocking the tank mean?
Also, you "prepped the tank for a whole 8 days". What does that mean?

I don't see any water test results. Do you know what your water parametrs are? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH...

The problem is that you skipped the first step, which is cycling the tank. If you don't rectify that, you will continue killing fish, wasting money, getting frustrated and possibly quiting.

 

STOP adding fish! Not sure who's advising you, but you can't keep fish in an uncycled tank. You don't need any of those chemicals (probably recommended by the person selling them). I would start by learning how to do a fish-in cycle. If all your fish die, then you can do a fishless cycle.

You said that you "Got the chemical I was recommended, shocked the tank for a day". What chemical was that? And what does shocking the tank mean?
Also, you "prepped the tank for a whole 8 days". What does that mean?

I don't see any water test results. Do you know what your water parametrs are? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH...

The problem is that you skipped the first step, which is cycling the tank. If you don't rectify that, you will continue killing fish, wasting money, getting frustrated and possibly quiting.

Absolutely agreed and well said!

OP, I noticed in your first post that you said "1 inch per gal". I am so sorry to put it like this but that rule is false, harmful and outdated. Nobody uses it anymore, not even inexperienced fish keepers. The only people who recommend it know nothing about fish, are stuck in the 80's or don't care. Would you put a 10" goldfish in a 10 gal? I certainly hope not...

As for those chemicals you listed, Stress Zyme, Quick Start and Stability are all supplements but none of them work as intended. Stress Zyme and Quick Start don't work at all. Stability works but it's not the right type of bacteria you want. It's a short-term nitrifying bacteria that will die in a matter of weeks, cause ammonia/nitrite spikes, kill fish, then your tank has to cycle all over again. If you want to use a bacterial supplement, try Tetra SafeStart (TSS or TSS+) or Fritz Zyme 7. If you want to save money, go on Craigslist or ask a friend if they have any "dirty", established, cycled or seeded media to let you use. This'll cycle a tank in only a few days.

As several have mentioned, african cichlids can't be kept in such a small tank with small numbers - they need large tanks, heavily or overstocked to allow them to thrive. This isn't a good situation for them, or you, at all.

I heard beneficial bacteria needs more than just ammonia which explains why there are so many failed "fishless cycles". Fish-in cycling provides those other nutrients that bacteria needs. It can be stressful on the fish which is why many folks recommend fishless. Really the cycling method depends on what you want, what you have time for. Fish-in requires careful monitoring of quality and large water changes to keep it in the "safe" zone, whereas fishless needs careful monitoring, lots of calculating to make sure it's actually cycling with a fair chance of failing. Choose your "poison"; it's the most important process of a tank anyway and is very much required.

I hope you've gathered REAL info from REAL lovers like me and our many awesome Fishlorians! Good luck friend

 

I've had great results with Stability over the years. You have to know how to cycle a tank though to use it properly. You also need a bottle of prime to use along with it. Your issue is simple, your aquarium water is not suitable for fish.

You will continue to be frustrated until you cycle your aquarium. Do you have access to test kits? I can easily walk you through this, but adding more fish is not the answer. You will get the same results.

Good luck. Feel free to ask any specific question, as these broad questions won't help find an answer to what you need. Water quality.

 

I've had great results with Stability over the years. You have to know how to cycle a tank though to use it properly. You also need a bottle of prime to use along with it. Your issue is simple, your aquarium water is not suitable for fish.

Great point! I have Stability & Prime but I haven't tried fishless yet (first time in 10 yrs!) However I heard from an experienced fish keeper here that apparently Stability has 2 types of bacteria - the "correct", long-term ones we want and the short-term ones that work but will outcompete proper bacteria...please don't quote me on this - I don't remember the types of names of the bacteria...