Help with new fish tank please!!! Worried

[Hubblez]

Hello, I hope somebody can give me some advice

I got a 40 litre aquarium from a pet store, they told me to put some 'tap safe' solution in it, wait 3 days and then add fish. The tank came with a filter, I got some tiny pebbles for the bottom and 3 decorations, I gave them a quick rinse before putting them in but now after reading I realise I should have cleaned them really good?

My aquarium is very cloudy and the water isn't clear, I told the store where I got it and they said it is probably because of the decorations not being cleaned good. The filter has been on all the time. The shop guy said to put a fish in and at the weekly water change (he said change 25% water) then eventually it would make the water clear up

I added yesterday a single baby panda moor goldfish, and also got a second filter thinking it might help the water, but after reading more online I think the man in the store lied to me as the tank seems small for this fish and surely I shouldn't have added it to this cloudy water? The fish is in there now with 2 filters, he seems ok and is investigating the tank, I tried to feed him but the pellet food (called gold japan premium food for fancy goldfish) sinks to the bottom and he doesn't seem to be able to find it? I haven't seen him eat it anyway

Today I got a Ph test kit and the water is the highest number in the kit - 7.6. I put some ammonia remover in the tank and then 30 min after was worrying again and did a 25% water change. The tank still looks cloudy though and now poor fish is going to the top for air and he wasn't doing this before

What shall I do? I don't know if I'm making it worse by interfering or should have just let it cycle. do you think the cloudyness is cos of the decorations not being cleaned good?

Any help is appreciated, very worried about my poor little fish :(

Hi, sorry but you have had some really bad advice. I know someone much more knowledgable will be on here soon. But yes, the tank is too small, should have been left or run for a few weeks with no fish in, and it does sound like your fish isn't well.
Don't feel bad because I did all the same a few months ago after bad advice.
I won't give you advice on what to do as I don't know.
There are some good fishy people on here who will be able to help though

Thanks for replying baddie, after reading online I realised the tank was too small but by then I had already got the poor fish :( and now I keep reading conflicting advice with different forums saying to leave it and let it cycle or others saying add X Y Z or to do daily water changes - can't believe that the pet shop told me to do it like this when it's clearly wrong! In fairness I should have researched it myself but the guy in the shop seemed to know what he was talking about at the time :(

The fish has stopped going up for air now though so I guess that's good as he can breathe better now? He's still active and swimming around etc, I'm hoping it isn't too late to save him

I think daily 25% water changes will be required. Always add treatment to the water (eg. Tap safe). Then get a bigger tank.

I was advised on here to put in 'biological enhancer' which is basically the good bacteria that grows in the filter when it has been cycled correctly.

Also find a good aquarium/fish shop and talk to someone who knows what they are talking about

Oh dear, the pet shop have really cocked up :( Don't go back there, whatever you do!

You can cycle with fish in, it's not ideal but there are things you can do to minimise any damage.

But first of all I would consider the future; goldfish get very large, fancies will grow to the size of a tennis ball with tails up to 6 inches long. This is not dependent on the size of their environment, keeping them in a tank that's too small is very bad for their health. If you're planning to keep the goldfish then you'll need a bigger tank. You could keep them temporarily in a smaller tank, around 60-70 litres, but I wouldn't do that for more than a year. If you do want to keep them then it works out cheaper to just buy the size tank they will need as adults- you're looking at about 180 litres for a couple of fancy goldfish. I know it sounds like a lot but they really do get huge.

If you do decide to keep them then you'll need to cycle the tank with them in it. This will involve a lot of water testing and water changes. There's all sorts you can get to add to the water but tbh I've never really found anything that works other than good old hard work and water testing. You'll need a test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. A pH test is handy too.

If you cannot house the fish in a suitable tank then please, please find them a good home. There are loads of fish rehoming groups on Facebook or take them to a different pet shop so they don't end up being missold to some other poor soul.

Finally, if you are the type (I'm not so I sympathise if you're the same) then phone the shop and give them a colossal bollocking.

Keep posting and let us know how you're getting on. Not your fault, this is how about 90% of people get started in fishkeeping. You should have seen how I was told to keep goldfish when I got started :(

This explains all you need to know about cycling. It's about fishless cycling, but what you need to know really is how it works and how it relates to fish.

Thanks for your advice everyone. I will get them a bigger tank eventually - the one I got was £60 and looking online I can get more than double the size for the same price!! Grrrr

I went to the pet shop looking for nitrate/nitrite/ammonia tests but could only find the ph one so got that. I did a 25% water change yesterday and also this morning and just now I did it again. The water isn't cloudy anymore and the fish is eating and looks happier. I posted on another forum and they told me to get 'prime' water treatment that detoxifies the ammonia. I also got a good bacteria helping thing and they will be delivered tomorrow morning, hopefully these will help somewhat, fingers crossed!