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mark4275
08-26-2008, 04:10 AM
Hello, I know this is my first post and I appreciate any help.

I have recently bought a 2.5 gallon tank for two African Dwarf frogs and a snail. I bought the tank along with two decorations. I put the gravel at the bottom and put the decoration in. I then filled the tank with water and water conditioner. I let it sit a day. It was looking great. I then went and bought the frogs and snail. I put them in and everything was looking fine. I was told to put in a cucumber for the snail to eat for the first few days because there would be no algae. I did this. Replacing it every 3-6 hours or so. I am also feeding the frogs blood worms. Well, after a day the water became very very cloudy with small particles floating around and had a very foul smell. It reaked across two rooms. I then did a 50% water change to get most of the cloudy water out. That fixed the problem temporarily. A few hours I came back and it was the same. I then went out and bought a pump and air stone along with water clarifier. This, also did not do the trick. I then went to walmart and bought a 1-3 gallon pump. It improved it barely. The water still stinks and is cloudy. The particles attach to the decorations and float around. At times it will be clear but if I move a decoration or stick my hand in the problem happens again. Does anybody know what this could be?

Also, the suction part of my pump is about 1" away from the gravel. Should I cut the pipe to make it more in the middle of the tank?

I appreciate all help.

Mvjnz
08-26-2008, 04:59 AM
Your tank is cycling. The animals in there are producing toxins, but the filter hasn't built up the bacteria it needs to neutralise these toxins, and so they build up in the water.

What you need to do is to read the ebook on cycling, it's one of the stickies in this forum, then buy your liquid test kit and continue to change the water when needed. Feed sparingly.

Gemini
08-26-2008, 06:21 AM
Welcome to the AC!
I agree your tank is cycling. Get the ebook and read it.
You need to have at least an ammonia and nitrate and nitrite test kits on hand. As you already have pets in there, you need to feed really really sparingly and do frequent water changes to keep the ammonia levels down or your new friends may not make it.
Seriously though read all about cycling in the ebook.

dean30bb
08-26-2008, 06:46 AM
i agree with the above post it would be best to read the ebook on cycling ur tank and see how u go then

by the way welcome to the A.C:19: