Just started a New Aquarium and need abit of Help

[Gazp2k]

I have just started a Brand new aquarium and would like some help.

It is a Auqaone Cube40 tank which holds 90Lts of water and I have a Fluval 2 plus filter, I have added my fish (2 Weather Loaches) to the tank after leaving the water in on its own for a couple of days, and the water has gone cloudy, I have been told by my LFS that its called a "bactiria bloom" and its my tank "setting" up the good bactria required to have a health tank.
They said if I do a 25% water change every other day it will help to speed up the process and clear the water, is there anything else I could do? is there anything I could buy that actully works?

thanks for any help in advance.

[angelfish83]

You didnt cycle your tank- and you werent informed on how to cycle your tank???

Your LFS is pretty lame- choose a new one.

[mikev]

You should understand that putting fish into an uncycled tank is a form of torture that is likely to result in damage or death. Quite unfortunately, to the fish, and not to the store person who "helped" you.

The best way is to move the fish to a cycled tank or return them to the store if you cannot cycle your tank quickly.

Now, most things that the stores sell for cycling is junk: such useless products include Cycle, BioZyme, and Biospira. However, there are things that you can *possibly* get that will cycle your tank quickly.

For example, sand from an established tank may work within hours (I mean LOTS of sand, preferably all). Filter sponges -- again, from an established tank -- will do to. See if your store would sell them. And get the testing kit so you know what is going on.

[angelfish83]

You should understand that putting fish into an uncycled tank is a form of torture that is likely to result in damage or death. Quite unfortunately, to the fish, and not to the store person who "helped" you.

The best way is to move the fish to a cycled tank or return them to the store if you cannot cycle your tank quickly.

Now, most things that the stores sell for cycling is junk: such useless products include Cycle, BioZyme, and Biospira. However, there are things that you can *possibly* get that will cycle your tank quickly.

For example, sand from an established tank may work within hours (I mean LOTS of sand, preferably all). Filter sponges -- again, from an established tank -- will do to. See if your store would sell them. And get the testing kit so you know what is going on.

Ok wishing death on a salesperson is a little extreme and nazi like I think

As per your loaches, return them before they die.

Then, don't get any fish for a month. You need to research research research. Learn about water chemistry, the nitrogen cycle, filtration...

Once you feel you know enough, find someone with a nice chunk of cycled filter media to seed your tank with, and start with a small number of hardy fish. Any loach, is not really the greatest choice for a first fish.

DO NOT go back to this store, they are ignorant. Most stores are.
Find a store that will GIVE you a piece of well cycled media and let you come back the next day for, say, a group of platies, or other good starter fish.

For now you are not ready to have fish.

[Eyrie]

You could always do a fishless cycle on the tank if you can get pure ammonia.

Good explanation here - http://tropicalfish.site5.com/tfc/showt ... hp?t=60022

(trust linking to another board doesn't break any forum rules)

[Gazp2k]

Thanks for all your help guys, I never knew keeping fish was this interesting! I have been reading about the nitrogen cycle till about 2:30am last night lol.

well anyway, returning the fish is not an option as the owners have now gone away on holiday and they have some kid who proberly dosnt know what hes doing running the shop, so I have asked my brother to look after them as he has had a tank setup for a few years now,.

I am now reading the guide as posted above.
Thanks for all your help