my 20 gal setup

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cornpops

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 14, 2008
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Charlotte, NC
ok. so i got a 20 gal fish tank the other day. I know a little bit about tanks but not much...so bear with me. I set it up using 25 lbs of crushed coral, real rocks, and some fake plants ranging from small to large. I rinsed the coral awhile so that i could get most of the powder silt stuff off of it. I also rinsed the rocks. I then set the tank up. After putting water in i couldn't see 2 inches into the tank. The next morning I could see about 6 inches back and by the end of the day i could eventually make out an object behind my tank. I tested the pH and looked at the temp and decided to go get some fish.I bought 2 cobalts, 2 black convicts, 2 yellow africans, 1 random african, a pleco, and a pacu. They seem to be fine so far after about 1.5 days. I have added stress coat and stress enzyme made by API. My pH is around 7.6. The water still seems to be cloudy. I would like for it to be crystal clear. I guess what I'm trying to ask is what should I do? Does running the air bubble machine have anything to do with the particles? Also, is adding the stress coat and stress enzyme the same as water condioner? I have no idea and I tried to search the website so I wouldn't sound dumb up here but had no luck. Once again, I'm new to this hobby and I just want the best for my fish. I look forward to hearing some sound advice or comments. Thanks!

Ryland
 
Well for one you need a bigger tank for those fish, and you should have let the tank cycle longer before adding fish. My advice is research alot more and ask alot of questions on here before setting up another tank if your even thinking about it.
 
Well, you're probably gonna lose your fish, since you didn't cycle the tank. I would take the fish back (if you can) and properly cycle the tank. Do a search for "cycling" and you'll find all the info you need. BTW, stay away from those API stress zyme, etc. products; they're all garbage. Stress Zyme claims to be beneficial bacteria but in reality there's nothing but dead bacteria in there.

Live bacteria must be refrigerated for it to survive. I think Bio-Spira is the brand to use, if you're gonna use bottled bacteria. IMO, all you need is a few goldfish and a good test kit to cycle the tank. Save the money from the additives to buy fish when your tank is cycled! Good luck! :)
 
ditto on eventually bigger tank but for now i'd get a test kit and start testing your ammonia/nitrites/nitrates ( like they said search for cycling) i'd also go to the store where you got the fish and see if they'll give you a filter pad or sponge from one of their filters(maybe some floss from the central filter?) or at least some gravel to try and seed the BB. hopefully you'll be able to save the fish. good luck
 
Return every single fish right now. They'll be either half dead, or dead in a few days from ammonia poisoning. You need to let your tank cycle by adding in a peice of shrimp in (Not a live one of coarse, one you eat thats dead) and throw it in. The decaying matter of this will release ammonia which is what you'll need to get the cycle going. After time, the bacteria that has colonized your filter will process that ammonia and turn it into nitrite. That will then be turned into nitrAte. This process takes 3 weeks or so and you'll need to throw in a peice of shrimp every 3-4 days for the first 2 weeks. Perhaps less.

The best thing for a fishkeeper is a good test kit. Invest in a Master Test Kit. This is the best tool for knowing what your water is like and when it is safe to add fish. When you test your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and they all read 0 except for nitrate, its safe to add fish.

Start off slowly with the fish and research about what fish you want before you buy it. Stick to fish that dont grow bigger then 4". As a heads up, this is a full grown pacu.

pacu4np9.jpg
 
Wow! This is a lot of stuff to take in. I have read all the posts and done a little more research on "cycling". So far the fish all seem to be ok. I have not been feeding them as much as I normally would as to try to reduce ammonia levels. I'm going to the pet store tomm. to find a master test kit. I will keep y'all informed as to what happens. Thanks again!
 
Usually I cycle my tank for 1 week or if it's bigger I cycle it for 2 weeks before adding a fish. I always buy the cheapest fish first then every 2 days I add more fishes.
 
first get rid of the pacu...unless you plan on having a few hundred gallon tank in the near future then get rid of the pacu...the cons are ok but the other fish have to go also unless you just want the africans then keep them and get rid of the cons, and what kind of filter do you have on the tank?
 
cornpops;1521959; said:
Wow! This is a lot of stuff to take in. I have read all the posts and done a little more research on "cycling". So far the fish all seem to be ok. I have not been feeding them as much as I normally would as to try to reduce ammonia levels. I'm going to the pet store tomm. to find a master test kit. I will keep y'all informed as to what happens. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
You've taken the best possible route. Thanks for listening.
 
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