Brand-new, as-yet-unfiltered 10 gallon

Fishpoop

Fishpoop

AC Members
Feb 17, 2009
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Hello. Whee, my first "real" post.

So, about four days ago I set up my very first 10-gallon aquarium. I used about 5 lbs of flourite substrate and 5 lbs coarse gravel. I have two small Anubias plants, one attached to driftwood. The tank is lighted with a full-spectrum florescent. The tank is aerated, but not yet filtered, as I have not yet received the filter I ordered in the mail. There are no fish in it yet, obviously, but I'm planning on six neons and a betta.

I tested today and, unsurprisingly, there are no nitrites, nitrates or ammonia. pH and kH are great. I have a heater, and the temperature is about 78 F during the day and drops to around 74 by the time I turn the light back on in the morning.

But boy, does it look uuuuuh-gly!!! I'm assuming what I'm seeing - nasty-looking cloudy white/brownish water- is a bacterial bloom, along with possibly some algae. My question: Once I get the filter, my water should clear up, right? Right? What if it doesn't? Ahhhh!

My roommate, an accomplished aquarist without whom I wouldn't have had the guts to attempt keeping fish, assures me that I'm overreacting, and that this is all part of "new tank syndrome". Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Morgan :confused:
 
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Does your roommate have an established tank? That would be the easiest route to kick start your cycle. You likely have some biological material in your tank; I'm guessing by plant die off and are seeing a bacterial bloom as you've already guessed.
That 4 degree temp change seems like a lot to me. Mine have no trouble staying within 2 degrees round the clock. Is your tank next to a window or glass door? Sunlight can be trouble for algae blooms. Just my thoughts. Your tank will clear up once you get the bio-filtration under control.
 
:welcome: Welcome to AC. You will get all the help you need here. Enjoy your new tank!
 
Neons plus betta equals no neons in most cases. Id rethink your stock plan..

You need to get a filter on the tank so the bio filter will establish within it where the water will be flowing, and you dont want to let your water stagnate from no water movement.
 
Ok, I get it, I screwed up. I just should have waited to get my plants until I had my filter. (My plants aren't dying, though, they look fine.) I didn't know it would take so long to come in the mail. If I have to, I'll change the water again, but I want to see what my filter does first. And yes, to answer the question about the bio colony from established tanks, that is what I plan to do.

As to bettas + neons, I've read lots of different opinions on that. I really want to have a betta- that's going to be the focus of my tank. Any suggestions on tankmates? Cardinal tetras perhaps?
 
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