New 55ga tank is cloudy and smells - help!

Michael · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I am new here. Found you by google search.

I have a new 55 gallon tank. I filled it with tap water and used
StressZyme according to directions to remove chlorine and begin
establishing algae. Have 60lbs of white gravel, plastic plants and
fake correl rocks. Water was quite clear. Several days later, I
added one Tiger Oscar (3in), one Red Tiger Oscar (1.4in) and two Jack
Dempsey Chiclids. Water began getting cloudy, like milky white
cloudy. It also started smelling. It is an office tank, and at
first, I thought one of my office mates was having really bad gas
problems that day so I ignored it. Now everyone is complaining about
the smell.

Can someone assist with how to solve this problem?

PH level is 7.6 - 7.8
Amonia reading is "clear"
Water temp is 75-78
Have dual Top-Fin charchol filter... (just changed it two days ago -
no change)
Changed out 10 gallons yesterday... no change.

Regards,
Michael

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>oscars

T · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 265

Smells..??? Wierd.. But it does sound like the tank in cycling... How often
do you feed your friends?? Don't be suprised if one of the Dempsy's take
over the whole tank, as they tend to be very agrresively territorial.. I
would suggest only feed them every couple of days, once a day and what they
all can eat withing 3 minetes. This way the tank can cycle and your chance
of losing fish will be minimized, and also give the tank time to complete
its cycling. I think when the tank is finished cycling the smell will
dissapate as well..IMHO

Tim...

"Michael" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> I am new here. Found you by google search.
>
> I have a new 55 gallon tank. I filled it with tap water and used
> StressZyme according to directions to remove chlorine and begin
> establishing algae. Have 60lbs of white gravel, plastic plants and
> fake correl rocks. Water was quite clear. Several days later, I
> added one Tiger Oscar (3in), one Red Tiger Oscar (1.4in) and two Jack
> Dempsey Chiclids. Water began getting cloudy, like milky white
> cloudy. It also started smelling. It is an office tank, and at
> first, I thought one of my office mates was having really bad gas
> problems that day so I ignored it. Now everyone is complaining about
> the smell.
>
> Can someone assist with how to solve this problem?
>
> PH level is 7.6 - 7.8
> Amonia reading is "clear"
> Water temp is 75-78
> Have dual Top-Fin charchol filter... (just changed it two days ago -
> no change)
> Changed out 10 gallons yesterday... no change.
>
> Regards,
> Michael

Dustin The-Wind · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

This link is a real good place to start..

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/filtration/tp/powerfilter.htm?PM=ss04_freshaquarium

This is the best on-line vender I have found..

http://www.bigalsonline.com/

Dustin The-Wind · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

I have two Oscars that have out grown their 75 gallon tank . My next
tank for these two and 1 Placo will be "at least" 180 gallon.

Since Oscars are stinky, nasty, ~ oh, and of course, LOVABLE fish. I
only have a very very thin layer of the largest Aquarium Gravel and
River Stones in tank.

How well did you rinse your "WHITE" gravel? Cichlids love to dig. (white
clouding water) Anyway, It won't be white for long!

I have two Emperor 400 Hang over the back Power Filters on my tank. It
is important to "turn the water over" as much as possible, to bring
waste up to be filtered.

An under-gravel filter will just keep the major waste created by this
fish stuck to the bottom of the tank. Creating an unhealthy and smelly
tank!

The Stress Zime is best when used with the Stress Coat. New tank should
take three weeks to cycle.

Long Story Short...wrong fish...for tank and office. The 55 Gallon in an
EXCELLENT choice for size of tank...