CICHLIDNOOB
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2014
- Messages
- 2
I've had a new 23 gallon aquarium (30x12x18) running for about a month now. I have four small cichlids (around 2" each), three turquoise rainbow fish (around 1.5" each), five tiny x-ray tetras (less than 1" each), three red glass barbs, a pleco, a catfish, and a small blue lobster. I know that things will be growing fast and I am prepared to get a larger tank very soon. Everything seems to be getting along so far without any aggression issues, but I am having a hard time getting the water chemistry under control. I've been adding API Quick Start and API Ammo Lock regularly, as well as a cichlid buffer to keep the pH around 8.2 and API Stress Coat as needed. It seems like everything stays fine for a day or two, but the water eventually becomes so cloudy that I get concerned. The fish also start to act lethargic and scrape themselves against the sand every once in awhile (which I know is a sign of poor water conditions). I do 25-50% water changes and those symptoms seem to subside, but things quickly get cloudy again and the fish go back to scraping and stiffening. I know new tanks need to cycle, but it seems like it is taking a long time for the water to clear. I don't want to keep doing water changes and adding more chemicals, but the fish seem much happier afterwards so I'm not sure how to proceed. The fish aren't dying, so I think something is working.. Does anyone have any advice as to what products I could use, or what I could do to prevent my fish from getting sick and/or dying? If I'm overstocked, is there anything I can do to make it work? Thanks!