My new aquarium water is cloudy. Is this normal for a new tank?

This can be due to micro bubbles from the filter. This will typically resolve in a few days. If the filter outflow creates a large amount of turbulence, try decreasing the flow rate. Another cause can be a bacterial bloom. This is a common occurrence after a water change and is caused by elevated ammonia levels or large amounts of organic matter in the tank. Either can feed bacteria and promote overgrowth. Check the filter media and rinse it, with tank water not tap water, if necessary. Check the water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ammonia levels, ideally, should be 0 ppm. Perform a partial water change if necessary. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Condition the water before pouring it into the tank. Remove any dead or dying plants, limit lighting, monitor water temp and don't overfeed. This will decrease the chance of a bloom occurring due to excess organic matter. Luckily, bacterial blooms are not harmful to fish. They can be frustrating, but they do clear up eventually.

If you put an Oscar in with your Tetras, they will be harassed and eventually eaten. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing to check chemistry. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20ppm or less. It can be slightly higher if you have live plants. If there is still ammonia present, the tank is still cycling. The cloudiness may be micro-bubbles which will eventually resolve or it could be a bacterial bloom which will also resolve once the tank has cycled.

Thanks for reaching out. You need to determine why it is cloudy before you can treat. Test for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Exam the filters and clean if necessary. Some fish stores will let you bring in water samples to test. Good luck.

The cloudiness can be due to elevated ammonia or nitrite levels or algae blooms. If the tank was previously cycled, the water change may have disrupted the nitrogen cycle resulting in cloudy water. Check the water temperature and chemistry. It is okay to cycle a tank with a turtle in it. They are hardier than fish and can withstand the elevated ammonia and nitrites until the tank chemistry "settles" down.

It is possible the tank has not cycled properly which results in high ammonia and nitrite levels which can kill fish. Allow the tank to run, without fish, for at least 4-6 weeks. During this time, use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing every few days. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. What you are looking for is to have ammonia and nitrites at 0 ppm and nitrates at 20ppm or less. pH can hover around 7 for most community fish. Avoid large, rapid swings in pH though. What is happening in the tank during this time is that beneficial bacteria are populating the gravel/substrate and the filter. These bacterial populations are responsible for the Nitrogen Cycle. This cycle breaks down wastes from fish, uneaten food and plant matter into by-products that are filtered out or dissipate. You can "cycle" a tank with fish, however this increases the risk of loss. Once your tank has cycled, you can add fish. You will still need to monitor water chemistry and perform partial water changes regularly. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You will also need to vacuum the gravel regularly and rinse the filter media. Never use tap water to rinse. Use a bit of tank water to protect bacterial populations in the sponge.

Goldfish are surface breathers so seeing them up at the top is not unusual. They are also very dirty fish, so I recommend getting a small pump for aeration and doing a partial water change. There is usually a period of cloudy water after establishing a new fish tank until the bacterial balance is established and stabilized in the tank. I also recommend getting a siphon--type tank cleaner so you can use it to clean the gravel as you remove some of the water. It acts as a vacuum to pull out all the fish poo that settles to the bottom, and the water you remove from the tank is a great thing to water any plants you have with, as it also fertilizes them. Remove no more than half of the tank's water and replace it with clean fresh water that has had the correct amount of water conditioner for the volume you're adding.

Thanks for your question about your fish, and congratulations on your new family members! I didn't see how recently the tank was set up, but there are a couple of things that could be going on. I would start by checking your water quality - any abnormalities in water quality can make fish have abnormal behaviors, and the water looks a bit murky in the photos you provided. There may be parameters that need to be addressed depending on what you find. If you do not have a water quality kit, they can be purchased at the pet store or an aquarium store, or you can take a sample of your water in for evaluation to these places as well. Some will charge a small fee for this service, just so you are prepared. Also, with recent tank set ups, it can be stressful for fish as they are in a new habitat. I would recommend keeping the light on for only a few hours per day to start, as the bright lights can be shocking for them (since fish don't have eyelids). Gradually you can increase the length of time that the lights are on so that you reach a cycle of 10-12 hours of light and 12-14 hours of darkness for them. I hope this gives you a place to start, and I wish you and your mom the best with the new pets!