Cloudy water, help!
- Thread starter GobyGuru
- Start date
You need to get the right filter size or it just wont work. That is clearly why your tank is cloudy. just stick the new filter in and thats all.
Thanks. I'm going to get one today
And to all the rude people, My tank is filtered (think about it, the filter I have in it does at leas 90 gph so its not much but its doing something) and I put a instant cycle product in and it has worked before, not for only me but for other people I know
So its not like I just put water in and added the fish.
Thanks for all rudeness for no reason though. thats appreciated
PS - The water is visibly FINE. I took some out, and compared it to regular water. there was just about no difference at all
So, I am going to test parameters today to see the hidden hactors. Then I will know if the instant cycle worked
I would start with a filter that is rated for that tank size and then expect to add another one when your JD is larger (cichlids are messy).
Which 'instant cycle' product did you use? I've heard that chilled kind (Biospira I think but maybe having a brain fart) actually does what is advertised. As for other products, they are not the 'snakeoil' some people claim, but they also don't do exactly what they say. I used Nutrafin Cycle for a fish-in when I first started up (oh man did the guy at the LFS see me coming). I had to do 30% water changes every day to keep the fish healthy, but to the product's credit (take that part about shaking it first very seriously), I was fully cycled in 18 days. I wouldn't spend the money on it again (I now cycle new tanks with my dozen or so filters - especially the sponges), but it did save me from three more weeks of daily water changes.
Regardless, unless you used the really expensive stuff, you need to get on daily water changes until it is fully cycled and get him a stronger filter. At least 260 gph (while he's still young), I'd say, but I believe in massively overfiltering cichlid tanks (I have a 30 gallon sump with wet/dry five gallons of bio balls another 3 of potscrubbers, an FX5 and an xp3 on my 135 gallon cichlid tank - massive overkill I know but it gives me peace of mind, plus I got them all for a steal)
Which 'instant cycle' product did you use? I've heard that chilled kind (Biospira I think but maybe having a brain fart) actually does what is advertised. As for other products, they are not the 'snakeoil' some people claim, but they also don't do exactly what they say. I used Nutrafin Cycle for a fish-in when I first started up (oh man did the guy at the LFS see me coming). I had to do 30% water changes every day to keep the fish healthy, but to the product's credit (take that part about shaking it first very seriously), I was fully cycled in 18 days. I wouldn't spend the money on it again (I now cycle new tanks with my dozen or so filters - especially the sponges), but it did save me from three more weeks of daily water changes.
Regardless, unless you used the really expensive stuff, you need to get on daily water changes until it is fully cycled and get him a stronger filter. At least 260 gph (while he's still young), I'd say, but I believe in massively overfiltering cichlid tanks (I have a 30 gallon sump with wet/dry five gallons of bio balls another 3 of potscrubbers, an FX5 and an xp3 on my 135 gallon cichlid tank - massive overkill I know but it gives me peace of mind, plus I got them all for a steal)
I used a big al's multi purpose bio-support It establishes beneficial bacteria to the filter, aquarium surfaces and water and its helps the fish stay healthy
I know many people around here who will put a good 7 - 8 teaspoons of it in a 60 - 100 gallon and it is ready for fish soon after. There is also the way of adding 2 teaspoons every few days but that allows more failure. if you add the full amount straight away you have a better chance for more beneficial bacteria to form and be successful
Anyways, as I said im picking up a filter today so it should be okay
Glad to hear about the filter. I have no experience with Big Als bio-support, so good luck with that. It may work very well, just be sure to check the levels daily for the first couple weeks and do water changes until they are acceptable (if you have a problem). Your JD is going to love having a tank that size to himself. Are you adding any dithers or bottom dwellers?
You probably fouled the water to some degree with the excessive feeding. Get a Aquaclear 110 filter and turn the flow down.
