Whats wrong with my tank?

Question

I got a used 55 gallon tank from someone and have got it set up and am running the filter for a day or 2 before getting the actual fish. I haven't filled the whole tank with water since i have to put the decorations in it still but whats is happening is the top of the water if becoming foamy. Is it from the extra air from the waterfall effect from the fitler or could it be from if the last person had it as a salt water tank or what could it be from?

Answer 1

Did you throughly rinse the tank first? You shouldn't need to do a ultra cleaning, but just rubbing the sides with a wet paper towel dipped in vinegar and rinsing it a few times with a sopping wet towel. If you did that, then the bubbles might just be caused by the water conditioner you're using.

I suggest dumping a little vinegar in there, sloshing it around, and then emptying the tank. Rinse it with a wet towel and start re-filling. It shouldn't bubble like crazy, some water bubbles around water disturbance (ie waterfall filter) is perfectly normal.

Also, before putting in the vinegar, smell the inside of the tank. If it smells like soap or cleaning products, then don't use the tank.

Oh, there's more to cycling than just letting the tank run for a day or two :) In the wild, and in established tanks, there are nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia from fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates. In a brand new tank, these bacteria don't exist, so any fish in the tank will produce ammonia, which, not being broken down by bacteria, will kill or weaken the fish. So, it is vital to cycle your tank, and just letting it run for a couple days doesn't accomplish anything.
There are a few methods. Do you have access to an established tank? These bacteria live in the gravel and in the filter cartridge, so if you can get some from another tank, you can put the bacteria right into your tank (don't let the gravel or filter cartridge dry out). If you do this, in a day or two, your tank will be ready for fish.
Another way is to get Bio-Spira. It is the actual live bacteria in a little pouch, and your tank will instantly be ready for fish.http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html

Other methods, which include putting a source of ammonia in the tank and letting the bacteria build up on its own, or putting a fish in and letting the fish produce ammonia (which borders on animal cruelty, because the fish will suffer from the ammonia in the tank), take 2 to 6 weeks before your tank is ready. If you rush that, any fish you buy may die, so try one of the instant methods I mentioned above (bio-spira or gravel from another tank)

Answer 2

First off, you cannot put fish into a tank that is 2 days old. You need to let the tank cycle. (I am not one for chemicals in a tank, but they do sell a product called Quick Cycle) This balances the bacteria/nitrates etc in your tank very quickly. (not 2 days) If I am not mistaken I think the directions say 1 week. Which is pretty good.

DO NOT USE A FILTER from someone else's tank. This allows for any Nasty hitchickers to enter your tank. From Ich to other parasites. Especially if you do not know the history of the tank you are taking the filter from. (I would not consider doing it between my own tanks!) Also, if the other person "took" care of their tank, the filters being changed every two weeks, would not hold enough bacteria to actually cycle a tank that quickly. PLEASE DO not use that idea. Bad for your tank, bad for your fish. (I've had salt and fresh water tanks for more than 25 years and I would not consider doing it between my own tanks!)

Also, don't forget to allow for water displacement in your tank. IE the "decorations, gravel etc.

OK to the major problem. Did you wash out the tank prior to filling it? I don't recomend vinegar to clean a tank since the residue is left even after it is rinsed. Vinegar adds to the acicity of the tank and will reak havoc on your PH readings. Using a soft cloth and wiping the tank down well and rinsing. Since it was a salt water tank, the gravel should be pitched and new gravel purchased. Dolomite or crushed coral will raise your ph levels to outrageous numbers. You cannot add corals or seashels to a fresh water tank. The bubbles can be caused due to a thin layer left by the salt tank or it could be caused by your start up chemicals....start right (famous for bubbles), slime coat etc. My first suggestion is to change to Novaqua Plus and ditch the rest. This contains the trace minerals and anti virus protection. If you cleaned the tank, and as long as the bubbles are not FOAMY i.e. like the ones when you are doing dishes, not to worry.

Remember get your tank up and let it cycle.

Answer 3

Okay, my first comment is... you didn't clean this tank before setting it up? You have no idea what could have been in this tank prior to your buying it. It could have been a storage bin for cleaning supplies for all you know. But, then, the foam could be from dust that was in the gravel. Sometimes aquarium water stabilizing products can make the water foam a little, but I'm assuming, since you say you haven't even filled it all the way up, that you haven't put any dechlorinator, detoxifier, ph balancing agents or any other aquarium products in it, so that can't be the problem. At this point, I would say dump everything and start over again. Clean the tank well, but do not use any soap or any other cleaning agents. Just scrub it well with a new sponge and whatever other scrubbing item you choose to use. Just make sure that these items are new and have never been used on anything else and never use them on anything but your aquarium. Once you get past the foaming problem, you just can't wait a couple of days before adding your fish. Your tank needs to cycle. Read up on cycling before adding any fish. Oh, and please choose to do a fishless cycle vs. a fish cycle. I know it's frustrating to have to wait while your tank cycles, but if you don't, your fish will just all die and there you are without any fish still and out many dollars to boot.

Answer 4

It could be a soap or other detergent residue, or it could be from proteins in the water. I would rinse the crap out of it before putting fish in it.

I would actually do a fishless cycle on it. Use rotten fish food, or a piece of cocktail shrimp or a tablespoon of urine or pure ammonia that has no additives to get the cycle going and let it run 3 to 6 weeks before adding fish. Ammonia spikes and nitrite spikes are hard on any fish, even hard to kill zebra danios.

Answer 5

Empty the tank, wash it with plain water. Wash the filter with plain water. Buy a new filter pad. You need to start clean. I love aquariums. You probably got a good deal on used. But you never know what kind of fish diseases and such was in that tank.

Answer 6

listen to zoe, she educated me alot on fish. you cant use a tank thats been cleaned with soaps cause no matter how much you rinse it, it can still be in the glue that holds the tank together. if it was saltwater rinse it out thoroughly and start over as zoe said use a lil vinegar.

Answer 7

Did you rinse it out very well it could be salt. Because most filters shouldn't make bubbles even if it isn't full.