Question:
Why is my new 30 gallon tank cloudy?
━═☆Dreamerguy☆═━
2009-02-17 15:05:59 UTC
Ok Saturday i bought a new 30 gallon tank and set it up as directed, used water conditioner to remove chlorine and everything and i added salt with a product called cycle which came in a container and it says that it's bacteria for new tanks, so i added everything and started the tank with a 20 gallon filter that filters (since they ran out of 30 gallons ones and they said its no big deal). I let the tank run for 24 hours and added three small guppies so they can help cycle the tank faster and fed then no more than they can eat in 40seconds , the tank was clear for the next two days and today its very cloudy. I have a running 10 gallon tank with some tiger barbs which sometimes bother the guppies, so i was wondering if it would help to take their filter and add it to the 30 gallon so i can have double filtration going for a while??? if yes for how long?? I have cycled several tanks with fish before and never got the water as cloudy as my 30 gallon is, please i need serious answers because i'm frustrated at the moment and by the way the tank is no where near a window.
Seven answers:
2009-02-17 15:16:59 UTC
Well, depending on the fish you get, it really does matter that yours isn't fully filtered.

Were I work, you can ask any one of us the number one thing we always do for our tanks, and that's over do the filtering. I don't mean, create a whirlpool effect, but more is always better. Yours isn't strong enough to fully cycle the tanks water. With I do suggest is getting another 20 gallon, have one on one end and the second at the other end. This is how I have my tanks, one 60 gallon w/ two 60 filters, and one 20 with a 40 filter.

I used cycle and noticed that it clouded my water, so it may be from the product. Many people told me it was basically over priced water : ( So it might not hurt to discontinue using it.

Also, check your water quality, super hard water or calcium build up can cause foggy water.

How long have you had it up? You could have "new tank syndrome", basically cloudy water. Or an algae bloom. You can use a water clairifier for any fine particulate, but it won't help if it's algea.

Also look close, sometimes algae will be growing on the walls, almost clear, slightly off white, making a sort of film on the glass.

Best of Luck!



Edit:



I wouldn't suggest taking the ten from the barbs. 1)they need it, obviouslly. 2) you can't take it form them temporarily, b/c it will take much longer for the larger tank to be cleaned and cleared. 3) The barbs will attack and hurt the guppies, as you say they were already doing.

Can you instead, take the filter cartridge from the little and put it in the big? This will help transfer some of the good bacteria already established and jump start your cycling for the larger one. You can also take come rocks from the established tank and put it in the larger tank. Also basically jump starting the syscling system.
?
2016-05-26 13:51:56 UTC
The tank will take several weeks to cycle,the cloudiness is a bacteria bloom,and cannot be filtered out.(particles too small). When the tank is cycled it will all become clear. Don't add fish,just a little fish food or household ammonia to start the cycle. Test for ammonia and when the ammonia numbers spike and go down then test for nitrite until the same thing happens. This process takes several weeks,so be patient and do the testing.
ded65
2009-02-17 15:27:37 UTC
You are going through a bacterial bloom. This is normal. The good bacteria will soon gain control over the tank. It will clear with time. It is always better to go with a larger filter. It will increase the bio load some and moving water= oxygen
Betta breeder
2009-02-17 15:18:52 UTC
It may be because your filter is made for a 20 gallon tank, and yours is 30 gallon. I don't know why they said it is no big deal, but now you're having problems. Maybe go back and complain to them. You may end up buying another filter though.



Cheers
lindsey123
2009-02-17 15:14:35 UTC
the reason your tank is cloudy is because you didn't let it cycle. read up on cycling a tank and do that before you add fish for about 1-6 months or until your readings are at 0.
2009-02-17 15:13:46 UTC
no dont do that that would be stress full on the fish but go to ur petstore and buy tank buddies 1 per 10 gallons so add three tablets

and it should be crystal clear
2009-02-17 15:13:54 UTC
this could be becuase you didnt wash you gravel. whatever it is it will clear up.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...