Constantly dirty water!

HI everyone! I've just got a new larger tank for my fish as the goldfish I had outgrew it massively! I've updated to having lights and a diltration system. However no matter what we do the water will not stay clean! It's cloudy within the week! Any advice or idea on what this could be ?

 

I'm going to assume that "diltration" system is a typo for a "filtration systems" and then go ahead and assume that the nitrogen cycle had not been completed before adding your goldfish.

If these assumptions are correct then you are most likely experiencing a bacterial bloom in the water column, which is extremely common. This cloudiness or foggy water is a sign that beneficial bacteria has indeed found a home in your tank, and that most likely you need to research the nitrogen cycle in a home aquarium.

 

Yep that is a typo! We've had the tank a good 4 weeks worried it's possibly the size of the fish but we don't know, I will check it out Thankyou!

 

Yup! Definitely research nitrogen cycle first, and it would be beneficial to research the adult sizes of your fish and see if it is recommended to even keep them in the tank you purchased. Goldfish can get massive, and are considered one of the filthiest fish in the hobby.

If you have further questions go ahead and ask, but then we'll probably need some information such as tank size / fish stock / tank levels (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate) levels and maybe a few other bits depending on questions.

 

The tank is 110 litres and we have 6 fish, 2 large 4 small , 2 large are fantails , then we have a Siamese fighter and 3 other small goldfish, don't know the breeds. We don't have nitrate levels. Would these be fine?

 

The tank is 110 litres and we have 6 fish, 2 large 4 small , 2 large are fantails , then we have a Siamese fighter and 3 other small goldfish, don't know the breeds. We don't have nitrate levels. Would these be fine?

Unfortunately you are very overstocked. In that size tank, I wouldn't put more than 1 fancy gold fish.

I'd rehome the betta. He's not temp compatible with goldfish.

 

Well, here's a few things to read up on. And by the way, welcome to the forum. First off, you're going to want to spend some time becoming well-versed on the nitrification process here:

Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

The lack of knowledge going into fish keeping and this process can honestly contribute to %90'of beginner's problems. Establishing the nitrification process and Beneficial Bacteria will solve most of these problems, and this biological filter is the essential key in healthy tanks.

You should then read up on "How to cycle with fish" which is what your tank is doing now. That being said, you're going to want to pick up a way to test your water perimeters for two reasons: 1. ) this will aid you in keeping a safe environment and 2. ) if you have further questions or problems people who answer you will most likely need this information to help determine a cause and effect. It is likely the second most essential tool for beginners. You can buy freshwater test strips, but I find the ApI Master Kit hands down the best and easiest.

Whatever method of testing you decide on, you need a way to accurately test 3 things - ammonia, nitrites, nitrate.

I'm no goldfish expert by any means, but I believe all of your fish are actually in the medium / larger side of the scale when it comes to fish keeping aside from the Siamese Fighter. Most common goldfish require 20 gallons per fish - thereabouts - and the smaller varieties require at least 10g. (Someone can correct me here if wrong, please). So what appears to be 2 large and 4 small fish will not stay that way, most likely. When looking at fish one has to look at their adult size, not how big they are right now. I'm not going to come out and say you definitely need a bigger tank, but I recommend you read up on goldfish and determine what you actually have -

They're often sold as fish bowl sized fish, but outgrow even medium sized tanks depending on what kind.

Your Siamese fighter is more commonly known as a Betta fish. Betta care is conflicting with goldfish care, as these fish prefer higher temperature than a goldfish. Optimal goldfish temp is 68 degrees and never higher than 74 degrees F while Betta fish need higher temps 78-80 degrees F. That right there says these two fish should not be kept in the same environment, and it would be recommended to separate the two so you can maintain a higher temp for the Betta.

You're going to need to do a ton of reading, but it's mostly interesting.

 

heres a picture of my tank and fish, the 'Betta' fish was sold to us and was in a goldfish tank and seems happy? though I'm no fish expect obviously :') I had no idea. We have another smaller tank but would it be fair to keep him on his own? His names Mr Mop lol. Does anyone know how many I should keep then? and also what type of fish the yellow one is? thankyou

 

Thankyou! ive written a post below if you could read it

 

I'm still a newbie, but from what I've seen, bettas are usually just fine in their own tank, especially male bettas because they tend to be aggressive. How large is your smaller tank?

 

I think the yellow one is called a Lemon Goldfish.

A Betta fish can be kept by himself. Males, which you have, tend to be solitary creatures so putting him by himself is a benefit because you'll want a small heater for him to keep the temp around 78.

I wouldn't put a Betta in anything less than a 5 gallon tank with a filter and heater, but I've seen people use smaller. Not sure how big the tank you are talking about is. Just my 2 cents.