My buddy and I just set up a new freshwater tank. Three days into it theres this jellitin like clear slime all over the rocks and plants. Does anyone know what the problem is? Any solutions?
Tank is super cloudy
- Thread starter ajcamp
- Start date
Welcome to the world of bacteria my dear friend. It be a wee bloom ya got there. When you don't cycle a tank and add fish all at once, you place an extremely high bio-load on the immature tank, which results in a large amount of waste being produced suddenly. Bacteria that feed upon those wastes began to grow in large numbers, resulting in cloudy water.
There are several types of bacteria necessary to neutralize wastes produced in your aquarium. But now its a little late to add cycling bacteria because adding the fish before a cycle simply added more of the type needed in the first stage of the Nitrogen cycle. Adding them at this point is like squirting lighter fluid on a fire.
Your biggest issue now isn't the cloudy water; it's the ammonia spike that will soon occur (if it hasn't already), followed by elevated nitrites. Both could result in the loss of some or all of your fish. I'd strongly recommend that you become familiar with the Nitrogen cycle, so you are aware of what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
You should begin testing your water right away for ammonia and take appropriate steps to keep it below lethal levels.
There are several types of bacteria necessary to neutralize wastes produced in your aquarium. But now its a little late to add cycling bacteria because adding the fish before a cycle simply added more of the type needed in the first stage of the Nitrogen cycle. Adding them at this point is like squirting lighter fluid on a fire.
Your biggest issue now isn't the cloudy water; it's the ammonia spike that will soon occur (if it hasn't already), followed by elevated nitrites. Both could result in the loss of some or all of your fish. I'd strongly recommend that you become familiar with the Nitrogen cycle, so you are aware of what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
You should begin testing your water right away for ammonia and take appropriate steps to keep it below lethal levels.
water_baby83;1816841; said:
I've found that understanding the Nitrogen cycle is the most valuable knowledge one can ever gain in this hobby.