SOS - New Fish Tank Help

bambos

I set up a new tropical tank approx 8 weeks ago, I left it to 'settle' and the tank seemed fine, I noticed some green algae developing last week and the tank has got more and more murky so I did a partial water change approx 30% on Tuesday evening this week and since then the tank has become so murky I can barely see inside.

I added more water purification drops and bacteria and regulated the water temperature (even though we don't have any fish yet lol) just to make sure everything would be the same but now I'm worried I have disrupted things too much.

Can someone please advise me???

Fosterdog

What size is the tank? What filter is running? What bacteria was added? What levels are the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and Ph?

An algae bloom can be quite common, sometimes it's a good thing and sometimes a bad thing but without the parameters of the above theres no way to know whack this is.

At 8 weeks a fish less cycle should be completed or very close to it unless something has stalled the cycle.

How often have you been testing the water?

ETA: Sorry I forgot to ask, is the tank near a window? Does it have lights and how long are they on for each day?

Hadrian

Sunlight is probably the cause. Keep it out of direct light and if possible far away from any windows. Get a good quality filter and aerator. Clean it regularly. I used a knitting needle with a bit of cotton wool tied securely on my goldfish tank, then up and down on the front window. By the way, do the sides and/or the back of the tank get as green as the front? If not then it's the dreaded algae. Maybe the place you bought the tank/fish from can give advice. Look on the web. Good luck.

bambos

Thanks for the replies.

The tank is next to a window but not in direct sunlight as two sides of it are on a wall and one is shielded from the window by the curtain.

The tank is an Aquastart 320
The glass is clear but water is green murky colour and a bit of green slimy stuff on one of the rocks.
The filter is a good quality one (not sure of make off hand) I have cleaned and checked the filter as it has a removable sponge inside it.
I used bacteria and water treatment by API
I haven't checked any levels at all (didn't know you could)
The temp is constantly in the green zone of the thermometer
The lights were being left on on for approx 8 hours a day

I'm definitely no expert so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Froglet

The absolute best place for all advice and help from friendly knowledgable people is right here.

http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=339

i have linked to the new fishkeepers section as that is what you are.Well done on not putting fish straight in,but without an ammonia source your filter will not have mature bacteria able to cope with fish waste so do ask about that also,or look up the section on fishless cycling.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2491

Fosterdog

Okay, the tank is getting too much light even on a fully setup moderately planted tank I only have the lights on 4-6 hours a day, any more and algae takes over.

It will need a full blackout for a few days, cover all sides completely with something to stop the light getting in and leave the lights off.

Light alone won't cause it, algae needs food so have you maybe used too much of the bacteria?

How have you cleaned the filter? if it has been washed in tap water the cycle is destroyed and you have to start again.

Have a read of this
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2491

Also join this forum and have a good read around, especially the new fish keepers section
http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/index.php

ETA sorry I was too slow and Froglet got in before me

Froglet

Hadrian wrote: »

. Maybe the place you bought the tank/fish from can give advice.

"Probably not good advice they are notoriously bad at the correct advice,ie fishless cycling."


Look on the web.

"Yes,that is the place to start,i have put a link in the post above."

Froglet

Fosterdog wrote: »

Okay, the tank is getting too much light even on a fully setup moderately planted tank I only have the lights on 4-6 hours a day, any more and algae takes over.

It will need a full blackout for a few days, cover all sides completely with something to stop the light getting in and leave the lights off.

Light alone won't cause it, algae needs food so have you maybe used too much of the bacteria?

How have you cleaned the filter? if it has been washed in tap water the cycle is destroyed and you have to start again.

Have a read of this
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2491

Also join this forum and have a good read around, especially the new fish keepers section
http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/index.php

ETA sorry I was too slow and Froglet got in before me

Sorry Fosterdog!! At least he/she knows we are singing from the same hymn sheet(or dipping in the same fishtank)

bambos

Fosterdog wrote: »

Okay, the tank is getting too much light even on a fully setup moderately planted tank I only have the lights on 4-6 hours a day, any more and algae takes over.

It will need a full blackout for a few days, cover all sides completely with something to stop the light getting in and leave the lights off.

Light alone won't cause it, algae needs food so have you maybe used too much of the bacteria?

How have you cleaned the filter? if it has been washed in tap water the cycle is destroyed and you have to start again.

Have a read of this
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2491

Also join this forum and have a good read around, especially the new fish keepers section
http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/index.php

ETA sorry I was too slow and Froglet got in before me

Thanks foster dog - I will cover it over for a few days. The filter was washed in the clean treated water I used to replenish the tank when I did the partial change. I have turned the lights off so hopefully that will help. Once I uncover it should I do another partial water change or will the green colour have disappeared?

Thanks again.

bambos

Froglet wrote: »

Hadrian wrote: »

. Maybe the place you bought the tank/fish from can give advice.

"Probably not good advice they are notoriously bad at the correct advice,ie fishless cycling."


Look on the web.

"Yes,that is the place to start,i have put a link in the post above."

Yes I brought the tank from pets at home and the young lad who sold it to me couldn't really give me much info but did point me in the direction of the web

Fosterdog

I just looked up the details on your tank, it's only 28 litres which is too small for any fish except a single siamese fighter or as a shrimp tank, what did you plan to keep in it?

Have a read of this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4915292