New fish tank with cloudy water

Question
I bought a 10 gallon tank 3 weeks ago I washed all the gravel and other accessories and cleaned the inside of the tank with plain water, I filled it and ran the filter for 24 hours and then  before I put the fish in the water it was crystal clear. (the water temparture was the same from the previous tank )I added 3 goldfish that I already had in another tank where the water wasnt couldy and they were doing fine. I went and bought another gold fish and that was when the new goldfish had ich (in a matter of 2-3 days). I treated the tank with the recommended chemicals (clout)and the rest of the fish had the ich too but the fish that originally had it died along with another one that was in the same tank. My two other fish had it too but recovered after treating the tank. now I have a cloudy water issue. what can I do to clear this up! I can not see my fish in the tank and I really dont want them to die after all they been through they are strong fish I would like to keep them alive. I also been changing the water as frequent as 25% every week. but there still has been no change with this cloudy water! I also been adding "Crystal Clear" and "water clarifier".  The amonia level wasnt high in the new tank prior to the fish getting ich. but now after everything the amonia leve is high. I have been adding "Ammo lock" every two days and was instructed to do that  every two days for seven days and it has been two days so far. I am running out of paitents please advise me on what other methods there might be to resolve this problem. I also have a 12 gallon tank and a two and a half gallon tank. The 12 gallon tank has 3 jack dempsies and 1 talapia and their water is clear and they also didnt have ich. in my two and a half gallon tank has 1 betta fish and that tank is clear as well. Could it be the fish? Thank you and hope to hear from you soon!

Answer
Hi Barbara,
I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. It sounds like you have a bacterial imbalance from treating with clout. Clout medication (and most medications) often kill off your beneficial bacteria which consume harmful ammonia and nitrite in your aquarium. It is common to have problems after treating for a illness. Once these bacteria are destroyed by the medication, the tank clouds and ammonia usually spikes high as now the aquarium has to re-cycle in order to get established once more. It's good that you tried to help your goldfish but meds sure can ruin a tank. My best advice is to do more water changes. I have had many cloudy aquariums to your extent in the past and all have been cured with every day 30%-50% water changes. I am also afraid to say a 10 gallon w/ three goldfish needs more than a 25% water change once a week. Goldfish are high waste producers and if you could increase this to at least twice a week that would be great. Even more would be very beneficial if you can manage it. All fish thrive on frequent water changes.

~Back to your cloudy water problem. I have found that any of the supposedly 'water clearers' just don't work. I have tried them on my cloudy tanks in the past but they don't do anything noticeable. And the best treatment by far is frequent water changes. I have changed up to 50% every day to help it clear and this amount has really helped my tank in the past. You will also need to do water changes because of your high ammonia level. Ammo lock is OK but it's much better for them to have that ammonia diluted by water changes. It is very harmful to them. Thirty to 50% when ammonia readings are above the safe bounds is best.
The important thing to do during this re-cycling of the tank is to be VERY patient. Just know it will clear with time as they all do with patience and water changes to prevent ammonia buildup. It would also help if you could add a handful or more of gravel from your 12 gallon as long as the occupants are healthy. This gravel will contain bacteria to help regrow the colony that was lost. As will any large rocks or filter media--but don't take all the media out of the 12 gallon or you may have a problem in there as well.

I am certain your aquarium will clear with time. It may seem hopeless but things will get straightened out with lots of patience and water changes. Remember to always make the replacement water of equal temperature to your goldfish tank and make sure it is properly dechlorinated.

I really hope this helps! If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me...

Best of luck!!!!
Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~
PS: I just wanted to warn you your dempsies in the 12 gallon will be very, very crowded once they grow to maturity. Just wanted to mention this in case you weren't aware of this. Those three fish may need a 55-75 gallon when full grown to establish territories.