my fist tank is cloudy it was not like that till we moved some rocks around last night the fish have only been in the tank for like 5 days this morning i changed the filters rinsed the charcol good and it has been filtering all day no change..?? what can i do..??
2007-02-02 12:14:40 · 8 answers · asked by lundie_g 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I would agree that is sounds like high ammonia. It had nothing to do with moving the rocks and every thing to do with the tank only being 5 days old. Change 50% of the water to lower the ammonia and plan on changing 25% every other day for the next 2 weeks or so. The tank needs that long to cycle. Cycling is allowing time for the beneficial bacteria to grow that will prevent ammonia problems.
Also, be sure you are using carbon, NOT charcoal!! Never rinse it and put it back, that really does no good, just change it for fresh instead.
Keep changing that water and everything will be fine.
2007-02-02 12:35:18 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The biggest mistake most new aquarists make is not cleaning the rocks and tank before starting the cycle, also not cycling the tank properly. Gravel is not cleaned and is covered in dust. It has to be rinsed before going into a new tank. What you could be seeing is limestone or cement particles floating in your tank.
Also, you tank should have been running no less than 2-6 weeks before adding fish, actually more like 2-3 depending on your water quality readings. the more you move your rocks, the more debris you are going to get floating around.
Do a 20% water change (never more than that) Your ammonia, nitrate and Disolved oxygen levels need to be at a safe level BEFORE you put fish in your tank, however it is too late now.
Here is a web site that goes thru the step by step process of your tank.
After your 20% water change and letting the filter run, if it doesn't clear in 3 days, change the water 20% again. Eventually it will settle. If it is turning green, check your lighting, no more than 12-14 hours per day. Light from a near by window and any heat source close to the tank. This will cause algae to grow. If it is a brown free floating algae type, it isn't necessarily algae. let us know and we can advise you further.
http://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm
2007-02-02 14:13:02 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The cloudiness is a bacterial bloom. You presumably have not cycled the tank, & so the Ammonia & possibly Nitrite levels are sky high. Cycling can take up to 5 weeks to get safe water. Add a bacteria supplement to speed up the cycling. Meanwhile, do a 50% water change, followed by a daily change of 24%. You need to get a set of test kits.
2007-02-05 08:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by ispooky2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn off your filter and let it settle and vac the bottom. The sediment settles around rocks and orderments. It's a new tank so if your on a well your going to get minerals and a algea build up be prepared for that with your local pet store
2007-02-02 12:51:59 · answer #4 · answered by Larry m 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Probably a bacterial bloom. Don't worry, it will sort itself out. You can change some water though as the bacteria take up lots of oxygen that the fish need.
2007-02-02 13:39:49 · answer #5 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
just let it stay cloudy for a couple days. that is bacteria in the water that is pretty harmless. if you change the water now it will just give the bacteria more fresh water to feed on. it will die off in a couple days and you can do a water change then.
2007-02-02 12:59:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sounds like high amonia levels. I would go to the pet shop and get some carbon and Amonia Chips and that should clear it up on a day!
2007-02-02 12:18:04 · answer #7 · answered by metrodish 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Breed rabbits?
2007-02-02 12:17:32 · answer #8 · answered by Harriet 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋