what to do?

Question

I just bought me a fish tank with fish and they are holding up well, but I ended up with 2 problems: Two of my fish died cause they got stuck onto the suction area of the filter. So what can I do? Cause now I'm worried that they are going to get stuck . My 2nd problem is my water is cloudy and I bought something last night to clear it but it hasn't . I changed out the water recently and it didn't last very long that it looks cloudy. I'm having to change the water outevery other day.... ( They are goldfish)

Answer 1

did you put any stones at the bottom?

Answer 2

Get yourself a good book on aquariums. You have a lot to learn. You need to build an ecosystem in the tank for the health of the fish, so changing the water the way you've been doing is detrimental to the fish. Anything you put in the tank has to be clean. Never use any type of soap or solvent to clean anything that is going in your tank. As far as the stones, you need to just keep rinsing and rinsing them till the water is clear, then you can place them in your tank.

Before any fish are added to a tank everything should be in place for a good week or so. Place the fish in the bag you bought them in into the tank so that the water temperature inside the bag is gradually brought up to the temperature in the tank, then gently release the fish.

The cloudiness in the tank may clear up, or its also possible that you do not have a good filter. It does make a difference. Its also possible that your filter is not big enough for the tank that you have. Do some more research. Fish are a fun hobby, but you do need to know a bit to keep them healthy. Good luck.

Answer 3

If the problem with the fish getting sucked up is that they are small , you can put a piece of filter sponge media over the intake.

It sounds to me that they are dieing , then getting stuck to the intake though. Put the sponge there , and see if it helps in any way. It will increase the surface area for beneficial bacteria anyway. Also let the aquarium cycle before adding new fish , or buy the product "Cycle" to do this faster.

I find Goldfish to be a dirty animal. Why not try tropical fish , after your aquarium has cycled.

How big is your tank ? how many fish do you have in it (remember 1 fish per gallon is the limit of an aquarium)

Answer 4

You're supposed to let your water circulate for a week before adding fish ... did you do that? That might be why your fish died and then they just got sucked into the filter. Most fish, even the smallest, can swim away from the suction from the filter. Your water is cloudy because it hasn't settled, you need to give it time. The odds are against the goldfish you currently have living because the pH isn't right and the nitrates/nitrites balance isn't correct either.

Answer 5

To sto the fish from getting stuck buy a filter sponge (someone at the local pet store can help you out if you can't find it).

After you get it, hollow out a space so that it will fit snugly over the end of the filter (where the fish got sucked up). When your fish grow large enough, you can remove it. Just remember, that the sponge will get filthy fast, so make sure that you rinse it with dechlorinated water once in awhile.

Answer 6

keep up the water changes and gravel vacuums. you need to use something like stress zyme or cycle to get the good bacteria in your tank and dominating the bad stuff that is making it cloudy. you might be having food issues too. if you are using flakes change to floating pellets and make sure they are eating everything in about 3 minutes. extra food will make the water cloud up.

Answer 7

HI
The cloudy water is necessary it is bacteria building up in your tank, it'll clear up in a few days. sorry to hear about the dead fish maybe get a weaker pump.
Lammy

Answer 8

Have you any stones in the bottom of your tank.
If these arn't washed out right at first, they will just keep clouding the water up