Foggy....ph probelm

[j0hnh0lmes]

Ok so I just bought a 10 gal tank..
It has an UG filter (I know I'm looking at penguin filters right now)


so far I have put gravel, a little hiding area, some other colorful crystal like rocks, and a fake plant of some sort.

I am using a few things to help the first cycle before I put fish in it but I'm confused of what exactly is happening in my tank.

I have put in it so far:

Cycle (Biological Aquarium Supplement)
Aqua Plus (Tap Water Conditioner)
Proper pH 6.5

ok so on the Proper ph 6.5 it says "When using Proper pH along with water clarifiers, a temporary cloud may form. This is non-toxic to fish and will quickly be filtered out of the aquarium."

I have had this "temporary cloud" for 2 days now, also when I first tested my pH after using it it was 6.4 and now my pH is 7.5 2 days later.


Help!!

BTW this pic is before I added the Proper pH so no fog!

[cocoa_pleco]

nice tank!


okay, to start, cycle doesnt really work. it doesnt speed up the cycle much. However, i use a product called "special blend". it has live bacteria and cycles the tank fast.

as for the cloudiness, its from you having a UGF filter. there arent any filter medias to catch the cloudiness. get a HOB and it will absorb the cloudiness. i read that you plan on a HOB, so thats good. with a UGF, give it about a week to settle.

what is your tap PH? sometimes its best not to fool around with PH. fish that are sold close to your home are used to your PH already

[j0hnh0lmes]

I'm using pH Test Solution and it only reads up to 7.6 and well...I get 7.6 lol so it could be higher.

I'm pretty new at this but have read a few post already and see that I should add some ammonia (as states in the DIY)

any links or articles recommended?

[cocoa_pleco]

to cycle, you need ammonia. this can be done with fish (it stresses fish though), or pure ammonia (fishless cycling)


fishless is the best way to go, and its faster since you can crank up the temp and no water changes are needed. heres a link

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

also, what type of fish are you planning to get? most community fish are happy with a 7.5ish PH

[Lady Hobbs]

You may just be getting the cloudiness from set up. Did you rinse the gravel before adding to your tank?

I would forget the ph adjusters. Just use your dechlorinator and cycle with ammonia as mentioned above.

[zackish]

I really wouldn't touch your PH, especially with that addative stuff because you are going to always have to add that and I think it's a pain. I would buy a high range PH tester and see how much your PH is over 7.6 if it all any. If it's right around 7.6 then that is pretty acceptable for most fish as long as you slow drip acclimate them.

[RobbieG]

nice tank!


okay, to start, cycle doesnt really work. it doesnt speed up the cycle much. However, i use a product called "special blend". it has live bacteria and cycles the tank fast.

as for the cloudiness, its from you having a UGF filter. there arent any filter medias to catch the cloudiness. get a HOB and it will absorb the cloudiness. i read that you plan on a HOB, so thats good. with a UGF, give it about a week to settle.

what is your tap PH? sometimes its best not to fool around with PH. fish that are sold close to your home are used to your PH already


Exactly - Also if you can't find the product that Cocoa_Pleco uses there are acouple of others that members have used, Sechem Stability and BioSpira. They should be kept in the fridge at your LFS

[Lady Hobbs]

Zachish is right on. Your pH would most likely only need adjustment if you planned on having cichlids and your tank is too small for those so let the pH be. If you plan to cycle with ammonia, use 5-7 drops per 10 gallon.

[j0hnh0lmes]

Endler's Livebearer
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

True Rummy-nose Tetra
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Neon Tetra (I might go with Cardinal Tetra instead)
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

and some type of sucker fish that I saw at a local store, they won't get bigger then 1/4" - 1/2". (So I'm told)

I just ordered a:
Marineland Penguin 150 BIO-Wheel Power Filter ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

should I just take everything out of the tank, clean it with mild water and restart everything correctly? or just take out the old UG filter and switch with the Penguin filter??

also is this the "special blend ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])" you where talking about?

also I don't think I have any dechlorinator but could be wrong....

any tips on equipment I should get?

[cocoa_pleco]

those fish you mentioned are almost all softwater. they like about a 5.5-6PH, but theyre used to your tapwater at the store and they should be find.


I got my special blend at a warehouse here at edmonton. its not a chain-store, just a single store that sell's cheap tanks from 5g-300g and cheap filters and food, water conditioner, lights, stands, etc.. the special blend is a bottle in a box and a small bottle is about 20$ CDN and a big one 30$, and a bottle lasts 1-2 years. the bacteria will die in 3 years or if theyre placed in direct sun. it stinks a but, but you can see the bacterial bloom really fast.

and im guessing the small sucker fish is a otto cat, or a ottocinclius for long form. make sure you have algae for it to graze on or else it will starve and die.

if you dont want the UGF, rip everything out, but the tank may need another cycle. you can use the UGF in combonation with the HOB and it wont hurt anything.

on water conditioner, make sure it says "removers chlorine and chloramines" and "neutralise's heavy metals"

[j0hnh0lmes]

YEA, I just looked it up and my conditioner does remove chlorine and chloramines and neutralise's heavy metals

THANKS for all your help guys, I'll make sure to stick around so I don't have to ask all these noob questions!

[zackish]

If you do decide to go with the cardinals then make sure you take yield. I would acclimate them the slowest as they are the most sensitive. However, if you are really good and take your time and care with them they should be fine and really be good in your aquarium. My tank finished cycling last night and I am planning on putting about 12 cardinal tetras in it tomorow.

[cocoa_pleco]

if youre buying the cardinals from a local store, just as a extra precaution float the bag AND cup water in. If its a totally far store, you have to do the slop saltwater drip acclimation way

[j0hnh0lmes]

it's a near store and I'm going to do the bag cup method with all my fish

30 min in bag, then add 1/3 amount in bag from aqu. let stand 10 min then repeat 2 more times after every 10 min, release fish without water in bag into the aqu.

:ezpi_wink1:

[cocoa_pleco]

sounds good!