Newbie here

[Steelhawke]

Hey everyone, have a question for you wonderful people here....started up a 55g tank about 3 weeks ago. I know its still going thru it's cycle so I don't have very many fish in it, but there a few small plants. I have been doing 10% water changes at least every other day trying to get the Nitrites and Nitrates worked out, still too high, but today I see that my water is to get milky cloudy. Question is, am I suppose to be vacuuming the gravel every time i do a water change or should that dirt be staying to in there to get the cycle completed? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Hi welcome to AA!
IMO vacing the gravel every few days to remove waste should be sufficient enough. More waste = more ammonia = a more toxic environment for your fish. Cloudy milky water signifies a bacterial bloom. Totally harmless and will clear on its own. Depending on your tank size and number of fish 10% daily could not be enough to keep toxins at bay. Do you have a test kit? Try and keep ammonia and nitrite at or under .25ppm.
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/246850-bacterial-blooms-explained/
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html
Here is some reading for you.

 

[Steelhawke]

Thanks for the answer, I've been testing with test strips, but I plan on getting a new testing kit. I have to do things slowly being retired and living on social security. I love the tank, it's so relaxing, I pull up a chair and sit there for hours just watching. I want to do things right but I know I'm being impatient and I want to rush things on, baby steps, I keep telling myself, I have all the time in the world now. I'll keep you posted as how things are going.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Congrats on your new 55. I wanted to give you a heads up. API master test kits are the most reliable and affordable tests on the market.
Enjoy. And kudos for doin things the rite way!

 

[Steelhawke]

Just so everyone knows, the cycle finished and my 55g is doing great! A few more taller plants a couple more fish and it should be done. I'll post some pictures then, hate to have people see it incomplete.