hi everyone, i bought a fish tank on thursday (one off them 'my first aquriam' ) and set it up that night. i bought my 2 fish on saturday and put them in. but when i woke up this morning the water was very cloudy and the fish dont seem to be doing anything. they are just laying on the bottom off the tank they've been up for food but other than that they just lay there doing nothing. ive done a water change but the water seems to be going cloudy again. can someone help me please?

thanks

Hi jayney, welcome to FK

Could you post how many litres the tank holds, or if unsure, post the measurements (height x width x length) as I have a feeling the tank is going to be a bit too small actually

Does it have a filter?

Tanks need to be cycled before they are safe for fish. The cloudiness you mention (bacterial bloom) and bottom sitting would indicate that water quality is the issue. Filters in fish tanks, need to build up enough bacteria first, before they can deal and break down with ammonia, the result of fish poop and fish excreting ammonia, which in turn becomes nitrite and then nitrate. Usually this means adding a liquid source of ammonia (faking the fish poop) for 4-6 weeks to build up the filter bacteria, before the tank is safe to add fish.

To begin with, when a tank is first set up, all tap water needs to be treated to remove chlorine and chloramines. This is usual in tap water for human consumption, water companies add it, but it kills all the bacteria on contact that you need in the aquarium filter to deal with the fish waste.

Did you use a water treatment at all?

Your best bet really is to see if a good smaller local aquatic shop (not the one where you bought the fish) will take them off your hands just for a month or so, until a bigger tank is sourced and cycled and you can have them back. This will be far easier than cycling with the fish in too small a tank, where they have to endure quite toxic levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate etc. Tip: They are likely to do it free if you buy the tank and kit from them

Alternatively, do you have any big plastic storage boxes like the ones B&Q or Staples sell? Circa 80 litres or more? If so you could fill with pre-treated water, move the fish and new filter over and undertake large daily water changes (pre treated only), until you can source a bigger tank.

Most fish don't make it through these initial few weeks in a 'fish in' cycle or they can become very ill. For now, you could undertake an emergency 50% water change, brought up to temp, and 25% daily changes therefter. This may buy you a little time in the interim.

Any questions, fire away.

the tank is 31 x 18 x 24 cm and the lady in the shop said its about 12litres?

it has a filter i think... (has spounge thing in where the bubbles come from)

ive used the cloride treatment when i changed 50% off the water ealier (6pm)

i am new to keeping a fish so not quite sure what to do. my fish seem to swim about when its dark and they are eating there food. so im not quite sure if they are just abit shy?

thank you

Oh my! 12 litres is far too small for these messy poopy fish I'm afraid. Sounds like the shop gave some dire advice

FK generally advises as follows:

Quote:

I think it would be best (for the fish and for you) to return them, the tank is not 'fit for purpose' so you should be able to obtain a refund, until a more suitable and then 'cycled' tank can be housed.

Just backing up what Violet said - 12L is really not suitable for 2 goldfish - full grown they will be far to big even to fit in!

these pet shops amaze me???
what do they expect you to keep in a 12l tank? a snail?

They expect you to be able to keep two or three full grown goldfish. What you can actually keep in there would be a small snail or two. I would keep shrimp in anything under 24L, and I wouldn't have any fish in anything smaller than 45L- and there aren't many fish suitable for a tank that size. (Certainly not golfish I'm afraid).

Quote:

Believe it or not I actually came across a 1l tank earlier!!

The picture that never ceases to amaze!

Suey's beloved Howie

Attach file:

---

  Howie & Bowl jpeg.jpg (147.58 KB)

what size tank would u all suggest as i have limited space on the side in my kitchen? was looking at a 24L one today will this be suitable?