Cloudy Water

[doubledz]

First let me start by saying I am new to this hobby. I set up an Aquarium back in October, or have attempted to. It was clear one time for like 3 days, then do to evaporation I added more water. Then back to cloudy. I vacuum the gravel every time I do a water change. Which has been about 4 times since October. And have changed the filter cartridge probably 6 times since then also. Currently I have cloudy water and since having this Aquarium I have lost a total of 8 fish. 3 in the last month. So it doesn’t leave anything to doubt, I need some assistance. Here is what I have as far as equipment and chemicals or gimmicks.

I have a 29 Gallon tank with an Aqua Tech model 20-40 filter. 4 artificial plants. 1 live, I used to have 5 live and 1 artificial, but due to snails I have removed the live plants until I can get this under control. I keep my water temp at about 74. I have a XP30 air pump with about a 2 inch gravel bed, and 3 ornamental tower like decorations for some fish to hide out in.

I currently have 1 Angel fish, 3 Tetras, 1 Platy, 1 Red Tail Shark, 1Alge Eater, 2 Mollies and 1 Clown Loach, I was told this Clown would help me rid the snails.

I use the Mardel 5 in 1 strip to test with and these are the results.

NITRATE = 60
NITRITE = 0
Total Hardness = 70
Total Alkalinity = 60
Ph = 6.4

And Ammonia is @ .25

I have many products I was told to use by my local SMART PET dealer. Such as, Top Fin water Dechlorinator, API Aquarium Salt, API Stress Coat, TETRA Easy Balance, AP Crystal Clear, PRIME, Start Right and Ammonia Clear Tablets.

Since reading this Forum and looking at others with problems close to mine I have started doing a 20% water change daily. With only adding the Water Dechlorinator.

I know Aquariums ar beautiful when set up right, but mine is almost an embarrassment.

Please help and let me know if you need more information to assist me in getting my aquarium up to par.

[lloyd berg]

your on the right track by upping the water changes. i believe the nitrate reading exposes the source of your problem. your filtration and water volume cannot manage the waste production of your fish population. oxygen is taken from the water by the bacterias that break down the ammonia and nitrite wastes of your fish. this drives up the nitrate concentration in the water (see test results). when oxygen becomes depleted both fish and bacteria start to suffocate and die (aka 'ph crash', 'old tank syndrome').
the cloudy water is caused by a population of bacteria that have no surface area to make home (aka 'bloom').
to correct the problem you need to reassess the entire bio. can you increase the capacity of your filter? can you control the nitrates with a practical water change regiment? or should you consider the reality that you are keeping too many fish in too small a tank? (are you reading this,neohippie??)

[neo hippie]

or should you consider the reality that you are keeping too many fish in too small a tank? (are you reading this,neohippie??)
yes indeed. i am.

[lloyd berg]

does it make any sense? :)