Tank set up help please =)

[lixx]

So, we set up our tank about 4 or so days ago. That night I put the chemicals in that you are supposed to use to make the water ready. I am pretty sure that I used the corrct amount. However our water is now all cloudy. I was wondering if maybe I wasn't supposed to put all the chemicals in together, but it didn't specify so I didn't think there would be an issue. Is there anything I can do, or should we start over?

Thanks!!

[veggiegirl]

Is it kind of white and swirly looking if you look closely? If so, its probably bacterial bloom. Its caused by an imbalance in the water, and it usually happens when you set up a new tank. It should go away after the water is balanced again, so I'd wait until its gone before you add fish. Did you add ammonia to your tank or just water conditioners?

[lixx]

It's not swirly looking. More like a solid fog. Not super thick or anything. I put in the three things that came with the kit; Aqua plus (tap water conditioner) Waste control (organic waste eliminator) and Cycle (Biological aquarium supplement). How long would it take to balance out?

[veggiegirl]

I'm sure its bacterial bloom. It should go away on its own, but it might come back when you add fish and the water chemistry changes. Here is some info about cycling your tank. I got it from: http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16 It takes awhile for the water to become balanced because the ammonia eating bacteria need to multiply. You should also get an ammonia test kit as well as a PH test kit.

"Developing enough bacteria to maintain the health of your aquarium requires both time and patience on the part of the beginning aquarium hobbyist. You will need time to "cycle" the tank. There are various recommendations on how to accomplish this. The number one rule is to go slowly. This means, at first, you may only add some plants. After about two weeks, add a few hardy fish which are tolerant of changing water conditions. You should start with fewer fish than your aquarium can hold, then add any additional fish over a period of weeks, allowing the ecosystem in the aquarium to readjust (recycle) in between. Each step needs to be gradual so the bacteria have enough time to multiply and break down the increasing amount of waste products.

Until the nitrogen cycle is functioning normally, it can be a stressful time for new fish and for you. It is a good idea to have an ammonia test kit on hand to monitor the nitrogen cycle by testing the water regularly. Despite the temptation to make changes to your aquarium, it is important that you not intervene unless ammonia or nitrite levels become intolerably high for long periods of time (temporary highs in both ammonia and nitrite levels are a part of the process). You should also avoid adding too many fish while the nitrogen cycle is being established, because you will disrupt the bacterial growth. As the cycle naturally progresses, the fish already in the aquarium can gradually adjust to changing water conditions with slightly elevated ammonia or nitrites. New fish might find these levels deadly.

Once the nitrogen cycle is completed, your aquarium will be able to detoxify constant levels of ammonia and other chemicals as long as you maintain the bacteria colony. Keeping those colonies healthy, or optimizing the amount of bacteria in the aquarium can be a function of the type of filtration equipment that you choose to use."

[lixx]

Thanks so much!!! I will pick up those test kits on my next day off. Thanks again!!

[veggiegirl]

Quote: Originally Posted by lixx Thanks so much!!! I will pick up those test kits on my next day off. Thanks again!!

Your welcome! Let me know how everything goes.

[lixx]

I picked up the testers today. I'll do that tonight and let you know how it goes!

[lixx]

Okay, so I tested the tank tonight. The amonia teast showed O ppm. The ph test shows 8. I would like to get it down to 7, as the fishes I looked at seem to like it around there. I did put plants in tonight (bout 2 hrs ago) and the sales guy said they might affect the ammonia levels. Could they also affect the ph? If not, what do I need to lower the ph a little?

The fishes I'm looking at (after doing some quick net searching for there compatibility) are : Leopard Danios, Clown Loaches, & Gourami's . Everything I've found so far suggests they will do well together and will be fine in my size tank initially. Does anyone have any experience/tips with these fish? Any reasons they would not be good?

Thanks!!

[Wheelie1985]

Danios, Loaches and Gouramis usually do very well together. They are always on the "recommended tankmates" list for fish that are a little aggresive. Have you gotten everything working good yet?

[lixx]

OKay! I have my fishies!! However I have already made my first mistake As I was putting the bags in to accilmatize, I had to take out water as to not overflow. I figured that the water in the bags would go in the tank (my own fault for not reading ahead). Since I did not keep the water I took out, and the set up guide is telling me not to empty the water from the bags into the tank, will it be okay a little low? How soon can I add new water to the tank? I don't want to doubley stress out my poor fish.

[veggiegirl]

I don't think it would be a problem at all if you added a little water. What kind of fish did you get?

[lixx]

A little new water, or a little bag water?


I got 5 Leopard Danios, 3 Clown Loaches, 2 Pearl Gouramis & 1 "regular" Pleca. (the was a nice zebra one, too bad he was 200$!-maybe when I get good )


They all seem to be doing well, and hanging with their own kind. The Danios are zooming around the top/middle. The Gouramis are on cruise staying more in the middle, a little top action, and the Loaches are staying near the bottom, running on and out of the accessories. And the Pleca, well he's being a pleca .

OO, the setup guide also said not to feed them for 24hrs. Is that good?

[lixx]

OO, both Gouramis are pooping! Is that a good sign? Or could they be stressed?

[Wheelie1985]

There is many reasons why it's telling you not to empty the bag water into the tank, one is that when you do so you're adding any diseases and bacteria from the old tank into the new one. If the previous tank's fish had any diseases or "ick", there could be free floating ick in the bag, so you'd be putting it right into your tank. A lot of people add the bag water so the fish will adapt quicker and easier since they have a bit of their old water in the tank with them, but, then you always risk that chance of your fish getting sick. But, if you go out and get tap water conditioner and maybe a little stress coating liquid you'll almost be set. You can buy these at Walmart. After buying these you can treat a gallon of water let it sit for about ten minutes then put it in the tank. That way you're water level will rise like you want. Just make sure you read the directions and the water isn't too cold or hot. The stress coat stuff helps the fish when stressed and helps them form their natural slime coat. You should always have these on hand, since you'll be changing their water every week or so in the future. So yeah, that was a little longer than expected. Let me know how you do

[lixx]

Ok! I have all the water prep stuff, so I will add some new water to the tank. Thanks! So much!!

Update, the clown loaches are sleeping/resting AWWWWW.