Well, I have two fish in my 20 gallon tank. I took a slate rock from around our fountain, scrubbed it with hot water, boiled it twice in distilled water, and added it into my tank. When I woke up this morning, my tank was extremely cloudy. What do I do? I tried looking at wally world and the nearby pet stores for something to help, but there wasn't anything. I did a partial water change this morning. What else can I do?
Cloudy water
- Thread starter kiyannastar
- Start date
How long has the tank been set up? It sounds like it could be a bacteria bloom in which case you just have to wait it out. This kind of thing is very comon in new tank set ups. The fact that you added a piece of slate rock should not have any bearing on this. It is probably just a coincidence that it happened at the same time. You could do more water changes but really I think you just have to wait until the bacteria that is growing figures out where would be the best place to settle to benefit your aquarium. Soon enough the day will come when the water will be crystal clear.
Marinemom
Marinemom
Thank you so much. ^-^ I was worried it might hurt the poor goldies that got chosen to be mine. 
I have an undergravel filter, and that rock is the only decoration so far. Do I need to provide a place for the bacteria to settle? Or will it settle in the rocks or something? Oh, and the tank has been up about a week, and has had live fish for about 3 days or so. ^_^; didn't have much luck with the first couple, I was too impatient... still am, actually. Teehee.
I have an undergravel filter, and that rock is the only decoration so far. Do I need to provide a place for the bacteria to settle? Or will it settle in the rocks or something? Oh, and the tank has been up about a week, and has had live fish for about 3 days or so. ^_^; didn't have much luck with the first couple, I was too impatient... still am, actually. Teehee.
The cloudy water will not hurt the fish. It just seems unsightly to us. The bacteria will form whereever it thinks it will serve the aquarium the best. It will settle in the filter if you have one and in your case that would be the undergravel filter. If you have fish in the tank I would think about adding some kind of decoration or plants. It will make the fish feel more secure. I hear you about the patience thing but in the end patience will be your best friend. Hang in there. This too shall pass.
Marinemom
Marinemom
Do you have a good liquid test kit for monitoring the water during this fishy cycle? It would be great if you could post your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings.
You should do water changes whenever ammonia and nitrites get above .25 during this cycle.
Also with goldies, you should add a HOB power filter as they are quite messy, delivering a large bio-load. WHat kind of goldies do you have?
You should do water changes whenever ammonia and nitrites get above .25 during this cycle.
Also with goldies, you should add a HOB power filter as they are quite messy, delivering a large bio-load. WHat kind of goldies do you have?
Well, if I look at how long it's actually been set up, it's probably about 2 weeks. Here are my para's:
Ammonia - .25
pH - 8.2 (I put a decreaser in it after the testing, so it's about .5 lower)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
I think I'll do a 30-50% water change in the morning, but I'm not sure I want to mess with stable levels..
Ammonia - .25
pH - 8.2 (I put a decreaser in it after the testing, so it's about .5 lower)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
I think I'll do a 30-50% water change in the morning, but I'm not sure I want to mess with stable levels..
Cloudy water got under my skin for about a week and half. It was me against the cloudy the water. I bought carbons and bakuhanseki stones and changed huge amounts of water nearly everyday... Then my co-worker said, "Just Wait" I couldn't wait and continued as above until finally I lost. One day I came home from work and the water was sparkling...
So, "Just Wait"
So, "Just Wait"
You actually do not have stable levels in a two week old tank.
In a well eastablished tank, you would expect ammonia and nitrites at zero, and some level of nitrates. Since you only register ammonia and zero on nitrites/nitrates, it is an indication of your tank is still cycling.
Keep monitoring with a reliable liquid test kit, do not over feed, and do a water change whenever ammonia or nitrites hit .25