New 30 gal issues - Aquarium Advice

dhawkercp · 09-30-2007, 05:30 PM

So I just set up my new tank. It has a Penguin 330 filter. I used a water conditioner and let the filter just run for a few days with just gravel. Next, I added some plants from a friends tank (trusted) to hopefully gain some beneficial bacteria. In following with many non-fish cycling faqs i added drops of ammonia. It has been a few hours and it seems like my water is slightly cloudy....am i being paranoid or did i do something wrong.

majolo · 09-30-2007, 05:38 PM

Cloudy water is probably the sign of a bacterial bloom, which should be a good sign. The cloudiness will clear as the bacteria settle onto your filter material and substrate. I'm not sure how much bacteria you would get on plants; the best is to get some filter media from an established tank, but it sounds like you got something. Do you have a test kit? Hope the cycle goes well!

dhawkercp · 09-30-2007, 05:52 PM

thanks. the cloudiness is increasing by the hour so i hope you are right.

**Zagz** · 09-30-2007, 10:09 PM

Bacterial blooms in new tanks are quite normal. Keep your ammonia at around 4ppm and you will keep the cycle moving along. Instead of having plants from a friends aquarium, see if you can borrow some filter media or substrate to help your cycle go faster.

dhawkercp · 10-01-2007, 01:48 PM

because there are plants in the tank...will it be hard for me to test for nitrates, or is plant uptake pretty slow. Also, how long should I see this bloom if I continue to add ammonia.

theotheragentm · 10-01-2007, 05:21 PM

Bioload uptake different depending on the plant and how many plants you have.

dhawkercp · 10-01-2007, 10:52 PM

cloudiness dissappeared today...what next?

rich311k · 10-01-2007, 11:35 PM

Keep adding ammonia until ammonia and nitrites go to zero in 24 hours.

dhawkercp · 10-05-2007, 12:18 PM

is adding fish at the same time as driftwood a bad idea?

09-30-2007, 05:30 PM	#1
dhawkercp Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	New 30 gal issues So I just set up my new tank. It has a Penguin 330 filter. I used a water conditioner and let the filter just run for a few days with just gravel. Next, I added some plants from a friends tank (trusted) to hopefully gain some beneficial bacteria. In following with many non-fish cycling faqs i added drops of ammonia. It has been a few hours and it seems like my water is slightly cloudy....am i being paranoid or did i do something wrong.

09-30-2007, 10:09 PM	#4
Zagz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 11,349 Images: 92	Bacterial blooms in new tanks are quite normal. Keep your ammonia at around 4ppm and you will keep the cycle moving along. Instead of having plants from a friends aquarium, see if you can borrow some filter media or substrate to help your cycle go faster. __________________ ----------- My Profile Page My tank & fish photos. Have you voted for AA today? Like the advice or comments someone gave you? Show your appreciation with the reputation button!

10-01-2007, 05:21 PM	#6
theotheragentm Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,172	Bioload uptake different depending on the plant and how many plants you have. __________________ Box of Water - My Personal Musing and Photos on Fish Keeping

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09-30-2007, 05:38 PM	#2
majolo Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Central MN Posts: 261 Images: 13	Cloudy water is probably the sign of a bacterial bloom, which should be a good sign. The cloudiness will clear as the bacteria settle onto your filter material and substrate. I'm not sure how much bacteria you would get on plants; the best is to get some filter media from an established tank, but it sounds like you got something. Do you have a test kit? Hope the cycle goes well!

09-30-2007, 05:52 PM	#3
dhawkercp Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	thanks. the cloudiness is increasing by the hour so i hope you are right.

10-01-2007, 01:48 PM	#5
dhawkercp Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	because there are plants in the tank...will it be hard for me to test for nitrates, or is plant uptake pretty slow. Also, how long should I see this bloom if I continue to add ammonia.

10-01-2007, 10:52 PM	#7
dhawkercp Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	cloudiness dissappeared today...what next?

10-01-2007, 11:35 PM	#8
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Keep adding ammonia until ammonia and nitrites go to zero in 24 hours.

10-05-2007, 12:18 PM	#9
dhawkercp Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	is adding fish at the same time as driftwood a bad idea?