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View Full Version : I put 7 gallons of Lake Water in my 55 Gal Tank

SW Florida Kid
02-25-2010, 01:00 PM
I did this so that it could cycle faster and that the water will mimic the levels of the water I am going to be putting my bluegill in. The water is cloudy now. When should I expect the water to get crystal clear again? Thanks!
Lady Hobbs
02-25-2010, 01:17 PM
Get rid of that water. It contains thousands of living things you do not want in your home tank. Water doesn't contain what's needed for cycling, anyway. It's in the filter.

If you want to keep tropical fish, why not buy a few and leave your wild fish where he belongs?
octoxpuss
02-25-2010, 01:40 PM
If it is to be a bluegill aquarium dont buy a heater because they are coldwater fish. (well you can just dont exceed 74 degrees) Anyway the only thing the water will do is ruin the tank by having millions of random things you dont want in your tank. To make a natural tank for the bluegill just take a look at the lake where you got it. Make it look like the lake. Where i got my bluegill the lake was rocky (i mean really rocky) so he got a rocky tank and he loves it.
Northernguy
02-25-2010, 04:53 PM
The good part of this experience is its not a fully cycled tank.
Read up on cycling after you clean out your tank.
I suggest the free ebook as well.
j0hnh0lmes
02-25-2010, 06:11 PM
You'll get all kinds of parasites in that water. As the rest said don't use it.
manciniat
02-25-2010, 09:45 PM
in my experience, as i am new to the hobby as well, it is better to ask for advice before doing anything to your tank you are unsure of. the senior members here can answer any question you have.
Cliff
02-25-2010, 09:58 PM
I'd like to second the advise you got hear so far. The best is to always use tap water and complete a fishless cycle

You'll have very good water quality and a good amount of BB in your filter
souly
02-25-2010, 10:53 PM
Might have to change out his filter media to now...
GouramiFan87
02-26-2010, 02:35 AM
Hi all, I'm new. How come you can't put the lake water in the aquarium if he actually is from that water? Wouldn't he be living with those parasites in the water anyway? Thanks!
ILuvMyGoldBarb
02-26-2010, 02:41 AM
GouramiFan, one thing about this hobby, is that little glass box we put our fish in magnifies everything. In the wild there are a lot more fish and a lot more area for those parasites, however when confined to the small space, there is just one fish, and they will all attack the same one. That is the whole reason we try to kill off all parasites in an aquarium.
robflanker
02-26-2010, 02:44 AM
No gourami they wouldn't.

We are only growing bacteria in the filter of particular kind.

There is a ton of other stuff in real river/lake/sea water that you don't want
SW Florida Kid
02-26-2010, 05:05 PM
GouramiFan, one thing about this hobby, is that little glass box we put our fish in magnifies everything. In the wild there are a lot more fish and a lot more area for those parasites, however when confined to the small space, there is just one fish, and they will all attack the same one. That is the whole reason we try to kill off all parasites in an aquarium.

That makes tons of sense. Thanks for explaining it to me. I have already drained the water, put tap water and dechloriator and have already started my cycle process with ammonia. I am on day two now. =) Thanks!
Cristoff
02-26-2010, 05:16 PM
I'm glad you listened to the great advice and explainations that you were given - believe it or not, many people do not heed the great input here and their next question is always "why are my fish dying?"

Best of luck on the tank and we expect to see pictures VERY soon! thumbs2:
SW Florida Kid
02-26-2010, 05:18 PM
I'm glad you listened to the great advice and explinations that you were given - believe it or not, many people do not heed the great input here and their next question is always "why are my fish dying?"

Best of luck on the tank and we expect to see pictures VERY soon! thumbs2:

Thanks buddy =) A lot of great advice is here. I'm only been here for a week and already have benefited!
Cristoff
02-26-2010, 05:25 PM
It just gets better! I've been here just short of a year and my whole thought process has been changed by the input of the more experienced (and sometimes LESS experienced) aquarists here.
Brhino
03-02-2010, 02:31 PM
What's creating the bubbles along the back edge of the tank in SW Florida Kid's avatar picture? That's a neat effect.
SW Florida Kid
03-02-2010, 04:24 PM
What's creating the bubbles along the back edge of the tank in SW Florida Kid's avatar picture? That's a neat effect.

I have two 18 inch bubble bars hooked up to an aeration pump =) thanks. i thought it was cool too.