Help with cloudy water and ammonia!

[Bruski]

I have a 29g freshwater tank and ran it for a three days without fish and then added tetra save start (probably not the best idea) then I let that run for about three more days. Then I added three tiger barbs (again probably a bad idea). The next day after adding the fish my water became cloudy and has be for about a week and a half. I bought the API freshwater master test kit after trying the test strips. My ammonia is .50 and nitrite is 0 the pH is 7.6 and they have not changed. Two days ago I added API accuclear to try to clear up the cloudy water but it did nothing. I have also added API stress zyme +. I think i'v been messing with the water WAY too much and now plan on just letting it try to work it self out. I also made the mistake of changing the filter when the water got cloudy.

I don't know what I should do?

[Tiari]

Do not use anymore stress zyme or accu-clear, neither of these will help you.

You need to bring your ammonia down, I suggest to do a partial water change of 25% of the water, then test again. Your goal is to get it below .25, well below if possible.

Test daily or even twice a day, and as you see the ammonia go up, do a partial water change. You will then after several days/weeks notice nitrite rise, then fall and nitrate rise as the end product.

Keep doing water changes to save your fish. Your water will also clear up with the water changes.

Read the article section here on how to cycle a fish tank.

[Bruski]

Yeah i forgot to mention the water changes. I'v done three 20% water changes. one every other day.

[Fishin Phil]

You may have to do larger and more frequent water changes for a while. You want that ammonia at or below .25 if possible. Test water daily, change water as needed.

Good luck!

[Bigge3415]

If your ammonia is at .5 then do a 60% wc 50% should bring out down to .25 that way you have a little room for it to rise. Are you on well out city water? Of your on city water you have to use a water conditioner.

[Lady Hobbs]

You need to stop dumping more stuff in the tank and do your water changes when the ammonia rises. The Tetra SafeStart is fine but doesn't do all the work for you. It is just an "aid" to help the fish survive.

[Bruski]

I'm on city tap water and I use Tetra aqua safe + conditioner. And my city has hard water.

[Bruski]

Whats weird is that the ammonia has never gone up or down even after water changes except that the test strips read 1.0 and the drops read .50 the fish seem to be doing fine they are active and eat good when i feed them a small pinch once a day. Gills look good they are not gasping for air.

If I do a 50%to 60% water change what will that do to the cycle since my tank has not cycled yet?

[Goes to 11!]

The drops are generally considered to be the more accurate measure for testing.

"a pinch" is not a measure anyone can accurately define to determine if it's too much too little or just right.

Do this instead: feed them an amount they can finish in 3 minutes - Twice a day. If they have not finished all of it in 3 minutes you are feeding too much.

[Lady Hobbs]

Bacteria is growing in our filter, not in the water. You can change all the water you want but it must be returned to the tank treated with dechlorinator and of the same temp as was removed.

[Bruski]

Okay thanks ill will do a 50 or 60% change tomorrow when i get back home.