New tank syndrome

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Anthony Fata

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 24, 2018
37
14
8
43
Pompano Beach
Well, I really screwed up. My fiancé and I decided to start an aquarium in our new house (being out of the hobby for a couple of years). We purchased a 55 gallon aquarium with all of the works. Black sand bottom, a piece of artificial driftwood. We initially had two 75g hang on the back filters made by top fin and a powerhead in the corner. One filter ended up being so noisy I removed it...

We made the big mistake of purchasing fish too early and the new tank syndrome is wrecking the entire setup. Fish started to die so we returned all of them and now its stock consists of one seven inch arowana and five two inch albino cory cats.

I made the mistake of doing water changed every couple of days during three fish week thinking it would reduce the ammonia. Here I am today dosing the aquarium daily with ammonia lock and then a product called 'stability' which introduces live bacteria to the aquarium. I did a %15 water change today and one week ago as well. The water is still so cloudy I can't see through to the back.

So, yeah I totally f****** up. We learned a valuable and expensive lesson. But what can I do now, everything considered? The arowana is still feeding which is a good sign. I just hope he makes it through this cycle. I'm curious as to when I should see or expect an improvement? Any tips or suggestions as to what I can do now, or do I just sit back and let nature take its course? Do you think the arowana will make it? I'm totally devastated

Any help advice would be helpful.

(yes I'm aware of the arowanas adult size and we are prepared to accommodate living conditions)

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First thing is do water changes.
Also first thing would be to take the arowana back.

Second, test the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates.

I made the mistake of doing water changed every couple of days during three fish week thinking it would reduce the ammonia.
Click to expand...
Doing the water changes...That's not a mistake, you've STOPPED that's the mistake.

Here I am today dosing the aquarium daily with ammonia lock and then a product called 'stability' which introduces live bacteria to the aquarium. I did a %15 water change today and one week ago as well. The water is still so cloudy I can't see through to the back.
Click to expand...

15% is such a small water change it's barely even worth doing. Looks like at the moment you should be doing 50% every second day. You might want to start off with smaller changes like 25% every day for a few days because your water is going to be so far off if you're effectively not doing any water changes.
 
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Do bigger water changes,15 percent is what you do on low stocked established setups daily, your looking at a i established high tank load type thing, so larger more frequent waterchanges are needed
 
I ordered the arowana online. He's been in the setup for three weeks already. I was told by several people to not change any water at all until the aquarium completes the cycle process. That I need to let the beneficial bacteria build up. I was tod that I was changing too much water, which is why the water isn't cycling. Its been running for three weeks. Shouldn't I be expecting clear, balanced water soon?
 
I made the same mistake not too long ago. I agree daily water changes of 25-50%. Monitor levels daily. I lost all but one shubunkin. I added bacteria, and added Melafix to help de-stress him. That did cloud up water a bit. I did those daily water changes religiously, and I was fortunate to turn it around. He’s happy now and has healthy friends as well. Be patient. Water changes do slow down the cycling process a bit, but it’s kinder to the fish.
 
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So what do you guys think, my aquarium store tells me not to touch the water. Should I do a large water change or not? It seems every time I add water it clouds more.
 
I just did a %40 water change. Added the beneficial bacteria "stability" and ammonia block, and of course prime. I hope I didn't make things worse, fingers crossed.
 
Anthony Fata said:
I just did a %40 water change. Added the beneficial bacteria "stability" and ammonia block, and of course prime. I hope I didn't make things worse, fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

Just adding more ammonia blocker isn't necessarily going to help. That should only be used in emergencies and you're better off doing water changes to get the levels down.

So, what are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? This is basic tests everyone needs to have. Although, adding the ammonia blocker may screw up your readings.
 
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