BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fishless Cycling - Help please. - Resolved YAY

My husband and I just started a 29 gallon tank. I've never had success with any fish tank let alone one this size. Its been nearly ten years since he's done this tank. He cleaned it etc. We purchased all new gravel, decorations, filters, used existing heater, and purchased new airators. (if that's the term)

We had it up for two days, and the entire surface of the water was covered in bubbles/foam like it had soap in it. However nothing was washed with soap. In fact I don't think anything was washed period before it went in the tank. I'm pretty sure you're at least supposed to rinse the items when you get them home. (Hubby insisted that wasn't the case. GRRR)

I've emptied the water today while he's at work ! HAHAHHAH, and just wanted to get some advice on this, do I need to remove everything in the tank and get every last drop out of the old water, and refill, starting from scratch? Or should 5/6 of the water be sufficient to remove and restart? Its driving me nuts - not to mention the fact I did not master the art of syphoning, and I SCOOPED the water out of this huge tank to empty it! I know I know, you are probably laughing at me, but I need some help! Or at least point me in the direction where I can find the help, I have been unable to find anything helpful online about foam/bubble problem. Perhaps I am just not looking in the right place.

I appreciate your help guys! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/computer.gif" alt="" />

Im' a newbie at fish, but sounds to me like something was in your tank or on the equipment. I would disassemble EVERYTHING and rinse with the hottest water possible and for a long time. When I get anything new, I always rinse it well. Where was this tank stored? if in a basement or garage, something could have been sprayed near it or spilled in/on it long ago. If you are using filters, don't reuse them, get new ones. Probably should get new gravel again, since it can be kind of hard to rinse in a large quanity. Better safe then sorry. <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

update - what I found was once I nearly emptied the tank and started again, the problem was much less aparent - however I did still have some foam. We decided to go ahead and stock the tank with 6 tiger barbs, and 3 placostomus'. They have been doing great, about the fourth day they were in their tank I noticed cloudy water- but I remembered reading about "blooming of bacteria" and within two days the tank was beautiful again. Its been another week since that and I am happy to say that the fish are doing great, and everything is awesome. I did decide to turn down one of the airators*, there seemed to be too much movement for the fish's preference.

I have a feeling that there was still a bit of residue from the cleaner we used on this old tank. Note for future - make sure (like stated above) everything is washed (read "rinsed") really well before filling and be patient. lol.

I now enjoy sitting on my sofa for long periods relaxing and just watching our fish be fish. The tiger barbs like to chase each other around. Their first few days they didn't seperate though, they stayed together in their school of six and now as they are more comfy they have been playing around/chasing, and generally "staking their claim". The placies seem to stay hidden during the day but are extremely active at night. We have several "cave" areas for them and this seems to suit them very well. An addition I would like to make is some live plant life. Though- I don't want to mess with it now since everything is so beautiful. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />