New Tank; What a Mess ! ! ! !

[bcs182]

I just recently started a new 30 gal tank. I have 3 Gouramis, 4 Danio, and 3 Tetras. My tank is a mess and cloudy. Has some clear looking scum building in the bottom on the gravel and around the plants (fake). I don't know if I am leaving the light on too much, feeding them too much, or what I am doing wrong. I replaced some of the water this weekend (10%) and really stirred the stuff up. Did get a lot of it out with the net, but from what have been reading here, realize I need a vaccuum. I have well water without added chemicals. Please help !!!!!! Once I get this mess fixed, I need to know what other fish and how many I can add to the tank.

Thanks, bcs182 :sad

[phanmc]

Since this is a new tank, it probably hasn't cycled yet and the cloudy water can be due to bacteria bloom. The cloudy water should go away by itself in a couple of days once the bacteria becomes established.

If you haven't done so already, buy an ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kit and test out your waters. If ammonia and nitrite is present, your tank hasn't finished cycling yet and you shouldn't put anymore fishes in (even if the water is crystal clear). You should be doing water changes in the meantime to reduce the ammount of ammonia and nitrite to under 1ppm/.5ppm. Once ammonia and nitrite i 0 and nitrate is present, then you can add new fishes.

Danios and tetras are schooling fishes that prefers to be in groups of 6 or more, so get a couple of more to flesh out each group. Then a small bristlenose pleco or a couple of otos would make a good cleanup crew.

[deocder]

This might be a stupid question but do you have a filter running on this tank. If the water is still, mold and slime can develop like you are describing.