Lots to say

[Wildiana]

OK, i have my tank for about 3 1/2 weeks, 15 gal. started out with 2 mollies, 1 african dwarf, and a silver tip shark, yes to much. and i also over feed them in the beggening. i was excited about my tank and just wasn't patient, to make it worse i added 2 glass fish, and 2 red fancy something something, and a algea eater, yea i know!! however both of the glass fish no longer with me and one of the red fancy something something also was promoted to glory

the water is cloudy, and i had to much gravel, i removed most of the gravel which made it easier for me to move them around so the debre will losen up and my filter will clean it out. i also got one of those gravel vac things.


anyway, i notice my silver tip not so active anymore, he just sticks to one corner and hovers for a minute, goes out makes a uturn and back again, i don't wan to lose this one as it is one of my coolest ones besides the african dwarf.

i put one of those clear water tablets but it is still not clear. I also do the 20% water exchange. i was doing it 2x a week, thats how bad my water looked.

i think that my over feeding caused this and since it was so bad there is no way to clean it but to start over.

what do ya think?

 

[Indigo]

My suggestion is to read the Cycle thread in the newbie forum. That might help you. Also, I would suggest getting a test kit and test your water for Ammonia and Nitrite (NO2?)

 

[OrionGirl]

Silver tip sharks get way too big for a 15 gallon tank--long term, he's going to need at least a 100, and some buddies. They are also predators--anything that's small enough will be eaten. And, they need to be transitioned into bracksih water as they mature. So--a tall order.

For the immediate needs: test your water for ammonia/nitrites. If you detect more than 1 ppm ammonia, do water changes, immediately. If needed, to a series of 25-50% water changes to get the levels down, and then keep them down with more water changes. Read about cycling.

Do not add anything to 'clear' the water--the cloudiness is likely the result of a serious imbalance in the tank, and these free floating bacteria are feasting on the excess nutrients. The free-floating bacteria are not the nitrifiers, but are feeding on something else in the water column. Once that nutrient is depleted, the cloudiness will go away.

I also would advise you to start researching fish prior to purchasing them--including knowing the name of the fish. "Red Fancy something"? Ensuring compatibility and feeding needs for a fish that you can't identify is tough. Common names are seldom reliable, but are at least a starting point.

 

[Peekaboo]

Listen to OrionGirl, for sure! :thud: And because you care about the shark, return it as soon as possible (today would be good). It is in its best interest. Short-term the cycling of your tank will be bad for it and it will get too big and aggressive quickly.

Good luck and its great you are posting and asking people like Orion for help. Your fish store won't always do the right thing, but also tell them your setup and your fish and ask their opinion on every fish you buy (try to get a senior staff member you recognize if its a big store on a weekend). I didn't get a fish just the other day because they told me something I didn't find out researching it. I got home and looked on the interent and found they were right.