another new tank/cloudy/need HELP thread

phyber · 07-01-2010, 06:03 PM

hi all!

BRAND new tank...

10g rectangle
Aquaeon QuietFlow10 hang-over-the-side filter with carbon-filled filter
MarineLand Stealth heater (set to 78*-80*)
brand new decorations

first off, i rinsed everything to the best of my ability with JUST water, no soaps.

I purchased 10 gallons of spring water. after initial cleaning of tank, poured water in and finished setting it up.

let the tank sit for 3 days. I noticed that on the 3rd day, my water has a haze, or slight cloud, to it. No color to it, it just makes viewing THROUGH the tank unclear.

Took a water sample to my LFS (just to be sure it was ok). Results were "perfect down the board" according to the salesman.

Got two Zebra Daino's to start a cycle (i feel bad for them being sacrificed like that...but they're in the lap of luxury) who seem to be doing fine.

What could be causing this haze, is it normal, and when should I expect it to go away? I have had the tank a total of 5 days as of today, i do NOT overfeed, and i have added NOTHING to the water (no conditioner, slime coat, ammonia, etc)

ZeroSystem · 07-01-2010, 06:19 PM

Welcome to FTF Phyber!

Even with the best of rinsing it's not uncommon for there still to be some debris that causes haziness within the tank for a few days. The tank will also likely get cloudy a few weeks into the nitrogen cycle. This is normal and will usually disappear as quickly as it came. Keep a close eye on those zebra danio's! Cycling a tank isn't easy. If you notice them acting stressed, do a partial water change (25% or so) to help them out a bit. Here's a link to the video tutorials, which has a ton of great information:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/16-sit...tutorials.html

phyber · 07-01-2010, 06:27 PM

thanks for your quick and informative reply!

I was just curious when the water started turning hazy (i knew that was a side effect from the cycle working...just thought it was odd being that it was before i added any fish or chemicals)

I also notice a "net" of bubbles that are crowding around the edge of the tank, i suppose you would call it foam. There are NO bubble makers in the tank (no air lines or pumps). The only thing is the filter, which makes a waterfall into the tank, where a few bubbles DO occur.

The zebra's are doing swimmingly (drum roll please). they are active and apparently hungry 24/7 as they attack every air bubble they see.

ZeroSystem · 07-01-2010, 07:11 PM

Haha yeah that sounds like Zebra danio's alright. They never stop swimming! Don't let them trick you into feeding them more than is needed, which they will certainly try to do!

Another member had a question very similar to yours about the bubble/foam forming in his newly setup aquarium. Elite plant guru Jay pointed out that it was simply water 'gassing off' things like CO2 and was harmless. Sounds very much like what you are talking about and I assume it goes away after a little while.

bowfin · 07-03-2010, 06:35 PM

Im sure this wonderful forum has a thread somewhere about fishless cycling. The fish hobby is a lifetime investment, and things cant be rushed, if you want success with very few or no problems, that cloudiness will go away in time as the tank cycles and it finds its balance.

phyber · 07-05-2010, 04:48 PM

thanks for the help!

in years past, I have been inpatient with smaller tanks, and the first sign of "haze" i'd do a water change and then get frustrated when the fish suffered.

with age, comes patience. I'm doing my best to take a "hands off" approach to this tank for the beginning...i added fish just to get the cycle started. I was just wondering if there was anything aside from the natural cycle that could be happening that I might be overlooking.

the "cloudyness" is slowly getting better, still not crystal clear, but the bubbles ontop of the water have 98% gone away, so i assume there is progress being made.

I am still feeding the fish on a strict ration, and they are still swimming like crazy all over the tank.

Judge · 07-06-2010, 11:01 AM

Yes we have a video on the subject of fishless cycling and a very good article also on the subject. Fishless cycling is something we promote around here!!

It is the best way all around..especially for the fish..no matter how inexpensive or insignificant the fish may seem. They are still alive and we do not want them to suffer.
If you cannot find any of the above mentioned info let me know.