What should I be doing????

I have had my tank for a little over 2 month. I waited 2 weeks before putting any fish in. I also have one small live plant a 1 moss ball. I have to small rainbow sharks, 6 tiger barbs, 2 gourami fish. 1 Angel fish. This tank is a 65 gallon tank. I have been struggling lately with no clear water. Goes cloudy then a week or so after that goes clear. Then seems to repeat and goes cloudy again after 3-5 of clear water. I am new at this freshwater tank. I am sure I am doing something wrong. When I take my samples to Petsmart to test, some times they tell me to buy ammonia lock and to use weekly. Some tell me water changes, others tell me do nothing and its part of the water cycle. Can you get some true feedback/guidance from people that know what they are doing? How often should I be changing water, what do I add as far as chemicals go with and w/o water changed ect.

 

First thing I would do is buy your own test kit. This allows you to test the water on demand and, imo, is a must for any aquarist. Don't get the strips as they are very inaccurate. I use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and I love it.

Also, the tiger barbs will nip at the gourami and angelfish. I would either rehome the barbs or the angelfish and gourami.

I hope we can help you out.

 

Hello and welcome to FishLore

I think your tank is trying to cycle....do you know about the nitrogen cycle? In order to check your water parameters you need a test kit, Most here use API master kit.

You also need to do regular water changes, specially in the beginning. Around 25-40% per week.

Can we get some more information about your tank?

What filtration?
What temperature?

To help the cycling you should use Safe Start or similar. And you need also conditioner for your water changes to eliminate chlorine in them.

A lot more people here know more than me.....and I'm sure they also will answer soon

 

You also need to rehome the rainbow sharks. They require a tank with a minimum of 48inches in length, and if your 65 is the tank I think it is, it's 36x18x24, a foot to short. You have to get rid of at least one of the two sharks, when they get older they cannot stand their own kind.

 

I do have the test strips but sounds like I need the master kit. I was having the store compare to see if I was getting wrong data. I just order master kit this morning and do not have thermometer for the tank. I also just ordered that.

Hello and welcome to FishLore

I think your tank is trying to cycle....do you know about the nitrogen cycle? In order to check your water parameters you need a test kit, Most here use API master kit.

You also need to do regular water changes, specially in the beginning. Around 25-40% per week.

Can we get some more information about your tank?

What filtration?
What temperature?

To help the cycling you should use Safe Start or similar. And you need also conditioner for your water changes to eliminate chlorine in them.

A lot more people here know more than me.....and I'm sure they also will answer soon

 

What about tank size? Filtration? Heater?
Do you do water changes?