On 24 Jul 2004 03:20:00 -0700, otis_the_cat.DeleteThis@hotmail.com (Bob O.)
wrote:
>I have a 20 gallon tank set up with the following:
> 5 Zebra Danio
> 4 Black-Skirt Tetra
> 3 Mollies
> 3 Cory Panda Catfish
> 1 Guppy (had 5, 4 died)
>
> 1/2" of gravel
> Plastic Plants
> Top Fin 40 Filter
> Air Stone
>
>The last chec of water resulted in:
> Hi PH = 7.4
> Low PH = 6.8
Why are you reporting two pH readings? I presume you have a test kit
that has two separate test chemicals and two charts. The two should
agree.
> Nitrite = 0
> Amonia = 0
> Hardness = 8
>
>The tank is a little over a month old now. At first the water was
>clear. Now for the past three weeks the water has been cloudy. I
>have been doing 20% water changes every day. Up to 50% when the water
>gets really bad. It seems like the water clouds up over night.
>
>I have been adding Stress Zyme to the water. I have also tried "A"
>Clear and "P" Clear from Nutrafin. These have no affect. It seems
>like no matter what I do the water just remains cloudy.
>
>Would I be better off doing a 100% water change? Not changing the
>water at all and see what happens? Any other suggestions?
You say nothing about how you are feeding the fish. Over feeding is
the biggest problem for most new fish owners. Mollies are real
gluttons. So are Guppies. I just can't escape the idea you are
overfeeding, especially since you are not using live plants to help
absorb the waste.
I am surprised 4 of your 5 guppies died. Guppies are very hardy.
Could be unrelated and just poor health out of the fish store.
What is your lighting practice? How many watts of light does your 20
gallon tank have? How many hours do you leave the light on? Have you
tried leaving the light off and not feed the fish for two days? This
can be done safely. Lighting is usually related to algae problems,
but not knowing more about what you mean by "cloudy" your answers
might provide clues.
There is also a question of "how cloudy?" I like the crystal clear
look, but if I look at the water from the floor up or through the
sides, the water looks cloudy. Perhaps you expect more clarity than
you can get.
Have you tried looking at the tap water? Is it perhaps cloudy before
you put it into your tank?
Personally, I don't like adding chemicals, I make mistakes and have
killed fish by improper doseage. I don't know enough about water
chemistry to feel safe using additives. The tank can "cycle" without
them normally. I have 5 tanks of varying sizes and have not used any
chemicals to assist them when they cycled.
I would drop the water changes back down, say 20% every other day. I
change 20% once a week. I am thinking that something from the tap
water might be killing your bacteria.
You don't mention filtration. If you have a filter are you cleaning
it every water change? The filter is a breeding ground for the good
bacteria so frequent changes of the filter may be defeating your
purpose.
I hope I have mentioned some areas for you to explore. It is hard to
solve other tanks' problems, each problem is unique. You may be doing
something you haven't mentioned. Your expectation may be too high.
So, I have asked questions that came to mind. If you provide more
information someone may get a new idea.
Good luck, I hope your tank gets to where you want it. I know the
first try is the hardest. By the way, why haven't you put in live
plants? They can be as interesting to watch grow as the fish. They
help in the natural cycling of waste and they provide safe haven for
fish that want it.
dick
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