we just started a fish tank 2 days old and water is already cloudy. we did chemicals @ a filter what do i do?

Answer 1

Please stop with the chemicals. Chemical treatments are not the solution. The problem is a new tank with fish, unless you used filter media or gravel from an established tank, has no beneficial bacteria in it. The cloudiness is associated with a bacterial bloom and is a good thing, as well as necessary.

Your tank is in the beginning stages of the nitrogen cycle, and will take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to complete. During this time, your fish will be at risk from ammonia and nitrite exposure. You can speed this process up if you have access to filter media or gravel from an established tank. Please get a testing kit and monitor the progress, and effect water changes should you read levels at lethal points. Please, there are chemicals out there to help, but do not use these. These chemicals only mask the problem, they do not fix it.
If you have any questions or need help, you can email me anytime you need.

JV

Answer 2

Ease up on the food a little and do a partial water change. Less than 10%. If still cloudy next day do same thing. Leave fish in tank with no cleaning. Do not suction gravel or change filter. This is where your helpful bacteria will grow. Your tank is in the middle of a hardcore cycle. Have you tested the amonia, nitrates,nitrites...?? If still cloudy you may need to consider more filtration. Do you have an under gravel system?

Answer 3

your tank is cycling. That's a good thing! You'll want to read up on the nitrogen cycle- this process is what makes for a healthy tank. You will need to get a test kit and test your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. You'll need to do some partial water changes and shortly you will have a happy, healthy tank. You need to stop adding any more chemicals to the tank tho. It may appear unsightly for the moment, but in the long run, this bacterial bloom that's making your water cloudy right now, is the best thing that could happen to you. Just read up a bit on the process and make sure you test regularly. Good luck

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_ciclo.php


tina

Answer 4

Jon v is absolutey right. Let the bacteria build up.. In all actuality you should wait at least 2 weeks before adding fish to your tank. Just keep a close eye on them to make sure they are okay. And lay off the chemicals. To much is not a good thing. The only time I use it is when I do water change. I use aquasafe. It takes out harmful minerals and whatnot. And my pet retailer told me to use it. Regular tap water has many micorscopic things in it not needed for your fish and/or can harm them.

Answer 5

John V got it right.

Its not particulate matter in the tank clouding things up, so clout & all those other chemicals will not do squat. Its a bloom of bacteria erupting from the new waste in the tank. Its like the opening stages of a living system. Its a good thing and it will go away in a couple days.

Its not dust from rocks. That would show up as soon as you put the water in, not 2 days afterwards.

Answer 6

Jon V is absolutely correct and couldn't be worded any better.

Let the bacteria do it's work. That is what will balance the aquarium. I actually had someone come to me a couple of days ago with this same issue and their ammonia was through the roof. They were cleaning their new tank at least twice a day and putting chemicals in it....this was causing lots of problems in the tank and killing the fish. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you let this bacteria grow.

Answer 7

the cloudiness is normal for a new tank, it will probably clear up within about 3 days of being cloudy.

Answer 8

Ditto to JV, it's the only right answer

Your tank is starting to cycle, that means it's starting to get bacteria much needed in your tank

please read up on the following
http://fishlesscycling.com/articles.html

It takes a lot of time to cycle a tank, because the bacteria needs to establish to be liveable for your fish

you will also need an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit

you will see a spike of ammonia and nitrite in the middle of the cycle, but when these 2 are at "0" and you have finally nitrate readings your tank is cycled and will be crystal clear as well

Please stay away from chemical, they will do more harm then good, believe me


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 9

it is probably because of the new gravel and stuff in the tank. Get some new water and put it in a container and let it set out to become room temperature. Wash out your tank,rinse out the gravel, then put the gravel back and add the new clean room temp water.

Answer 10

It's due to ammonia. Get some bacterial filter boost. That should clear it up. It's called New Tank Syndrome.