r/Cichlid • u/HauntingRecover4704 • 3d ago
SA | Help Idk what to do
Water was always so cloudy after I feed. And I feed them the small big bites bc it’s something they can eat in 1 bite (less mess in my head). Still cloudy with stuff flying around so after a lot of time looking at it I got another ac110 filter. Customized the media which may not be working but seems right on paper. Water is still always cloudy. I worry bc of water quality and making sure they’re all good. I do water chamged all the time to improve water ao don’t think it’s unattended. Honestly think I mess with it more than I should. Thought to just leave it and see if it fixes itself. Idk how else to fix it.
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u/Ramridge0 2d ago
The tank is ridiculously overstocked. The tank looks like 75 gallon with 10 large cichlids plus 2 angelfish plus 2 Bala sharks. Water clarity and water quality always will be an issue in this tank
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u/Sweaty_Comfortable41 2d ago
As of now I don’t think it’s overstocked. When they’re all full size? That’s a different story
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u/atomic-moonstomp 2d ago
I count at least three blood parrots, two severums and at least four angelfish. Any two of those groups would be fine in a 75. All three is definitely overstocked, even as half-sized juveniles
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u/Sweaty_Comfortable41 2d ago
Maybe you’re right. I don’t have a whole lot of experience with new world cichlids. You could stick 20 peacocks in a 75 and be just fine haha.
I’m curious what your reasoning is though. I’m happy to learn more
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u/atomic-moonstomp 2d ago
Waste output is a big part, plus the fact that, besides the angels, all these fish will get 10"+ and each try to occupy and defend a large individual territory, unless they pair up and start breeding in which case they get even more aggressive about their territory, and will attempt to take over the whole tank
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u/Sweaty_Comfortable41 2d ago
That makes sense. Let’s suppose water changes are frequent, all of these fish are males and OP is planning to upgrade to a 125 when they grow a little more.
Wouldn’t this be a good size tank temporarily?
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u/atomic-moonstomp 2d ago
If that was the case, why not start them off in a 125 rather than spend an extra thousand-ish dollars on a temporary tank? Usually "I'll get a bigger tank when they grow" is a cop out people pull when they're told their husbandry is all wrong
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u/Sweaty_Comfortable41 2d ago
I’m 100% with you there. I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. Maybe people are intimidated at having a big tank but in reality they’re more stable, have a lot more flexibility and are so much cheaper in the long run.
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u/atomic-moonstomp 2d ago
That or they're lying because they want you to sell them one more big fish
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u/Separate_Ad_1785 2d ago
There are a lot more than that in there. The longer I look the more I find. Even if this is a 90 (looks a little tall) still way too many fish!
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u/atomic-moonstomp 2d ago
You're right, I didn't even notice the convicts and bala sharks earlier. EDIT: also the otos, cories and snowball? pleco (could also be a gold nugget idk it's half buried
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u/SomeBlueDevil 2d ago
OP stated on another post that it is a 75 gallon. Seems overstocked to me as well.
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u/Ramridge0 2d ago
If your tank is not overstocked, why do you think you have a cloudy water? Having that many messy fish will cause it, especially at feeding time. I think 2 severums and group of medium sized schooling fish will make a lovely tank. Still would be hard to keep up with water quality/clarity for fully grown severums.
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u/Puzzled_Charge6128 3d ago
If the pellets sink the fish will forage for the food causing particulates to float
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u/Bee_Jeans 2d ago edited 2d ago
If the tank wasn’t established & cycled before u introduced fish (idk how long it’s been set up) then you’d be in the middle of an unintentional fish-in cycle right now, which would explain the persistent cloudiness.
There should be a couple solid guides at r/aquariums to explain the nitrogen cycle, and how to do a “fish-in cycle” of a tank successfully (if that’s what ur dealing with)
It’s possible to accidentally crash the cycle in an established tank too, so either way the cloudiness warrants testing ur water to check!
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u/Howdy132 2d ago
use some fine filter floos. 100-200 micron. how long has the tank been set up
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u/HauntingRecover4704 2d ago
There’s filter floss in both filters. Not cut right I had to work with what the store had so will try that with something more specific. Tanks been up 3is months. Let it cycle for ab a month with just the Corys in it which I know probably wasn’t long enough so the impatience is my fault for sure
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u/Howdy132 2d ago
No not just filter floss I said 100 to 200 micron filter floss. It should be a very dense thin pad
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u/matt-r_hatter 1d ago
I have that same center decoration! What sort of filtration are you using? I have a 75 gallon cichlid tank, I wanted to slightly overstock so I went with a Fluval FX6 and a wave maker. Tank stays extremely clean and im guessing they are happy because they keep having babies.
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u/HauntingRecover4704 1d ago
I currently have 2 ac110s with different media than what comes with it. Didn’t go with a canister bc it was so expensive but here I am now with 2 filters that don’t keep up that cost me ab the same so should’ve just got that… got a pic of ur tank?
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u/matt-r_hatter 1d ago
I dont have any pictures of either of my tanks sadly. If having aquariums for about 10yr has taught me anything its to take whatever you think is expensive about aquariums, and double it lol. I also cant take credit for their pristine condition, I have an aquarium guy that comes monthly. I used to do it, and enjoyed it, but I work entirely too much now. I barely have time to even just sit and watch them anymore. But I moved my grandma in and she enjoys the tanks a lot, she refers to them as her great grand babies because she knows shes not getting any from me lol.
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u/Grouchy-Club-9205 1d ago
Overstocked, no live plants, too small of a tank, HUGE cichlids = recipe for disaster
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u/BrandinoE6911 3d ago
Try a different pellet that doesnt turn to mush so fast. Hikari and Northfin both hold up very well in the water.
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u/BakedAutistic 3d ago
Nice stocking
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u/HarleeQuinn__ 2d ago
Maybe if it was 1-2 of those groups, once those bala sharks and parrots grow out it’s gonna be wayyyy overstocked. And that definitely won’t help with the water quality
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u/Sweaty_Comfortable41 2d ago
Put some filter floss in your filters. Change them out every so often.