Worried...and just starting...

Question
Hi Rachel,

I have just bought a 60 litre tropical fish tank set with filter, heater and tank. I was told by the pet shop to wait for at least 7 days until I put any fish in the tank, which is fine. I set the tank up with gravel and water, along with water treatment, and the tank was fine. I've bought some plants and put them in after the tank has been running for a day, along with a block of wood and a few shells, but the water has gone cloudy with a film on top. I've read several answers to this problem, but none seem to be exact to my situation so I want to be sure.

I washed the gravel, so it's not the gravel dust, and I;ve tried washing the filter, but there's a film of whit'powder' on the surface, as well as a cloudy build up on the tank walls. When looking closely at the water, you can see 'particles' moving round with the current from the filter - looking almost like smoke. I don't know if it is just the 'breaking-in' period, something from the plants, the fact I've had my arm stuck in the water when laying the plants, or if it is just how it's supposed to be. I can't wait to get the fish settled in, but I'm unsure as to whether I will need to redo the setup process.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,
Matt

Answer
HiYa!

Ok to start off with congratulations on the new tank purchase! When your 'pet store' said to wait for 7 days before adding any fish they weren't entirely correct. You should wait probably 2 days before putting fish in, eg once your tank is set up, and your have let your filter run for two days. And you should only put in enough fish to get the cycling process off and running, so only approximately 2 at this stage. Once the cycling process has been completed, which takes between 4 - 6 weeks, you can then add the remaining fish that you plan to put in your tank.

As for the 'cloudiness' of your tank. It sounds very much like new tank syndrome. This happens in alot of new tanks and it will settle down after a week or so. The floating particles you see in the water are more than likely off your wood. Sticking your arm in the tank won't hurt it, unless of course you have any residue on your arm such as washing powder or chemicals etc.

Anything else you need to know, feel free to drop me a line!

Cheers! Rach