I need some help with my 29G
- Thread starter turnblom79
- Start date
I had an overstocked tank for a short time and the same thing happened, except I didn't loose any fish. The tank finally finished cycling when I got my new tank.
To help it cycle you can use something like Bio-Spria as seen HERE
Or stress-zime as seen HERE
I haven't used the Bio-Spira product, but from what I heard, it works the best.
I used the stress-zime in my new tank, I don’t know if it helped or not because its too soon to tell, but its been a week and my ammonia levels are .025 for the last week. I'm also using the filter with the bio-wheel I had on the fully cycled tank so that might of helped as well.
good luck!
To help it cycle you can use something like Bio-Spria as seen HERE
Or stress-zime as seen HERE
I haven't used the Bio-Spira product, but from what I heard, it works the best.
I used the stress-zime in my new tank, I don’t know if it helped or not because its too soon to tell, but its been a week and my ammonia levels are .025 for the last week. I'm also using the filter with the bio-wheel I had on the fully cycled tank so that might of helped as well.
good luck!
How long was your tank cycled before you added fish? You really need to get an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit so you know what you're working with. I think the cloudyness might be from the ammonia. Does it smell kinda funky and fishy?
Keep doing frequent water changes. Personally, I'd do at least 50% every day until you can test the water.
Your rookie mistake here was that you added too many fish too quickly. Most of us have been there and done that though so just chaulk it up to a learning experience.
Good luck!
Keep doing frequent water changes. Personally, I'd do at least 50% every day until you can test the water.
Your rookie mistake here was that you added too many fish too quickly. Most of us have been there and done that though so just chaulk it up to a learning experience.
Good luck!
Here are some links to articles about the nitrogen cycle (cycling). Read up on them so you'll know what your tank is going through.
Beginner FAQ: The Nitrogen Cycle
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cycling.php
The Nitrogen Cycle - Article at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish
You will need a test kit, if you don't already have one. You will need tests for ammonia and nitrIte. Tests for nitrAtes and pH are also helpful. I recommend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit. Whatever you get, go with liquid tests, as they are more accurate.
Big Als Online sells this kit for $13.
I would test the water daily and try to keep the ammonia and nitrIte levels below 1ppm. That may mean doing daily water changes (be sure to dechlorinate), but it will give your fish a better chance of survival.
The cloud is most likely a bacterial bloom caused by adding too many fish at one time. It should go away on its own...especially if you are doing frequent water changes.
Don't vacuum the gravel during the cycle and don't change out the filter media...good bacteria are building up in them, so just leave them alone!
Also, do you know what type of red cichlids you have? Some red cichlids (Red Zebras, Red Devils, etc...) aren't meant for community tanks. If you don't know the name(s), can you post a picture? I would hate for you to have fish in the tank that you can't keep. Its best to ID them and find out if they are compatible before you get too attached.
Welcome to the site by the way!
Beginner FAQ: The Nitrogen Cycle
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cycling.php
The Nitrogen Cycle - Article at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish
You will need a test kit, if you don't already have one. You will need tests for ammonia and nitrIte. Tests for nitrAtes and pH are also helpful. I recommend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit. Whatever you get, go with liquid tests, as they are more accurate.
Big Als Online sells this kit for $13.
I would test the water daily and try to keep the ammonia and nitrIte levels below 1ppm. That may mean doing daily water changes (be sure to dechlorinate), but it will give your fish a better chance of survival.
The cloud is most likely a bacterial bloom caused by adding too many fish at one time. It should go away on its own...especially if you are doing frequent water changes.
Don't vacuum the gravel during the cycle and don't change out the filter media...good bacteria are building up in them, so just leave them alone!
Also, do you know what type of red cichlids you have? Some red cichlids (Red Zebras, Red Devils, etc...) aren't meant for community tanks. If you don't know the name(s), can you post a picture? I would hate for you to have fish in the tank that you can't keep. Its best to ID them and find out if they are compatible before you get too attached.
Welcome to the site by the way!
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