bacteria bloom?

[herefishy]

My tank has had a cloudy or "smokey" look it to the past 2 days. When I got home today, I noticed two of my barbs where hanging near the top of the tank.

Water test:

ammonia .50
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ph 7.0

I did a 20% water change (2nd day in a row) and added an ammonia clear tablet (didn't want to but this is the first time I noticed the fish acting weird). I also kicked up the airstone. Any suggestions? The tank is about 3 wks old. Nitrite and nitrate have never moved from zero :(

[Chrona]

Anything happen in previous days?

[Lady Hobbs]

Your tank has not yet cycled. Cleaning or changing out the filter media apparently has kept it from going anywhere beyond the ammonia stage.

When did you set this tank up, how long has the fish been in it and did you cycle before adding the fish?

You can read all about the cycling process in Tank Set Up in Tips for newbies. That's all about the cycling process.

[herefishy]

Anything happen in previous days?


no, i've been been doing 20% water changes every other day. ammonia had been staying around .25 to .50. the cloudy water is the only change i've seen.

[Chrona]

If you haven't seen any nitrites, then Hobbs is right, you are not cycled. In fact, it seems like your cycle is just starting now. The cloudy water is from the ammonia eating bacteria population exploding. You should see some nitrites soon. Stop doing water changes for 4 days and feed the fish sparingly every other day during that period.

[herefishy]

Your tank has not yet cycled.

I know.. i've been waiting!!


Cleaning or changing out the filter media apparently has kept it from going anywhere beyond the ammonia stage.

I removed the carbon from the biobag about a week ago (treated for ick) havent touched it since.

When did you set this tank up, how long has the fish been in it and did you cycle before adding the fish?

Negative on the cycle. Didn't know about it until I came here. Tank is about 3 weeks old. Started with one fish.. added 3 more a week later. They have been fine the entire time.

[herefishy]

If you haven't seen any nitrites, then Hobbs is right, you are not cycled. In fact, it seems like your cycle is just starting now. The cloudy water is from the ammonia eating bacteria population exploding. You should see some nitrites soon. Stop doing water changes for 4 days and feed the fish sparingly every other day during that period.

was adding the ammonia clear a bad idea?

i'll take your advice and stop with the water changes for a few days. should I stay with it even if the fish start hanging near the top again?


i'll keep checking for nitrites as well.

[Lady Hobbs]

I don't use salt or carbon normally but use them both during a cycle. I think it helps to hold the toxins down. Don't do any cleaning at all and leave your filter media alone as well. Messing with either will keep it set back. The bacteria is growing in both so let it be.

[Chrona]

was adding the ammonia clear a bad idea?

i'll take your advice and stop with the water changes for a few days. should I stay with it even if the fish start hanging near the top again?


i'll keep checking for nitrites as well.

Ammonia is a crucial part required to kickstart your cycle. It's toxic to fish though, but there are many other ways to treat ammonia/nitrite. You can read my sticky in the general forums about how to deal with each. At this point, some Zeolite would be your best bet.

[Gelo_USA]

dnt use anything to remove ammonia from ur water anymore because tht way the bacteria (if u have any already will die) and if u dnt have any bacteria they wont appear because u have no ammonia...
U have to wait for ur fish's waste to start decomposing turning into ammonia so the ammonia eating bacteria will start growing then u get the spike of nitrites wich is the product after the ammonia eating bacteria eats the ammonia...
then u get the nitrites eating bacteria wich will eat ur nitrites and turn them into nitrates wich are not tht bad and when u get ur nitrates it means ur tank is cycled
but never use any product to remove ammonia because it will keep ur cycle from starting... and after its cycled dnt use it because it will kill the cycle

[herefishy]

just an update here. the water is still cloudy but those two fish aren't hanging near the top anymore :)

i'll check the water again tonight and look for nitrites. not expecting to see them though.

at what level does the ammonia become fatal?

[kenyth]

Do you know anyone with an established aquarium? Offer to clean their tank or have them save the water after siphon cleaning their tank gravel. Add this "dirty" water to your tank, including all the nasty bits. Buy them a fresh filter medium and put their "dirty" filter medium in your tank's filter. Even if it's not the same size or type, just stick it in the reservoir. You will add all the bacterial colonies you need to cycle your tank almost instantly.

[Lady Hobbs]

All ammonia is bad but in small amounts they can tolerate it enough to cycle. Fish like zebra danios seem better able to handle it than many others that are bottom dwellers or sensitive fish. I would definately be doing 20-25 percent water changes (daily if necessary) if it goes over .75.

You'll have the same problem when the nitrites spike and will have to continue with the water changes even then. A total pain, I know, but necessary if you want to keep the fish alive and healthy even after the cycle.

Problem with using fish to cycle is their health afterwards is not always great. Cycled fish will often develop ICK and fin rot due to the stress and conditions.

Feed very little as rotting food makes the ammonia climb even more. If you feed them once every couple of days, they'll be fine. They can go for quite a spell without food, really.

[Lady Hobbs]

Do you know anyone with an established aquarium? Offer to clean their tank or have them save the water after siphon cleaning their tank gravel. Add this "dirty" water to your tank, including all the nasty bits. Buy them a fresh filter medium and put their "dirty" filter medium in your tank's filter. Even if it's not the same size or type, just stick it in the reservoir. You will add all the bacterial colonies you need to cycle your tank almost instantly.

I cycled my last tank quickly by siphoning the gravel in existing tanks and dumping the waste in the new tank. Decided I would use this trick on all my cycles after this.

[kenyth]

I cycled my last tank quickly by siphoning the gravel in existing tanks and dumping the waste in the new tank. Decided I would use this trick on all my cycles after this.


No need to start your new garden from seed if you've got big plants you can split in your other gardens!

[herefishy]

ammonia dropped to .25 yesterday and the water is still cloudy. nitrites still zero :14: