New Aquarium

[Wendilen]

My aquarium has been set up for about a week now and I got some gravel from a neighbour who has a healthy aquarium. I started with four feeder goldfish in it(on advise of person at pet store). Well I down to one goldfish now. I think the others had ich at least that's what it looked like. They've been gone about 3 days now. The lone goldfish that's left seems to be doing quite well. I did a couple of 25% water changes and added the friends gravel hanging in a net by the filter. I also added some aquarium salt (about a tablespoon).
I don't have any test kits yet so I really don't know the perimeters of the water.
The temp has been 75-78.
Yesterday I decided to move some orniments around and when I picked them up they seemed a bit slimmy. Is this normal.
I have a betta in a one gallon and am waiting to move him in.....when would be a good time for this.
I was going to get a couple of tetras for the take as well but I am going to keep them in a holding tank for at least a week to make sure they have no diseases.
When I got my betta I was also lucky enough to get a pond snail with him. It is in it's own 1\2 gallon dish. I was wonder if anyone could recommend a snail the doesn't over populate a tank. When would be a good time to add one of these. Or should I go with an algae eater instead.

[Mckitrick]

I'm not sure that a beta and goldfish will co-exist peacefully.
I know that two betas is out of the question.

What are you using for filtration on this tank? Are you just doing water changes to keep it clean? If you have a filter in there, it will take time to establish the beneficial bacteria and you may notice the water is cloudy for a week or so until the filter is ready.

The slimy feeling may be that bacteria building up or it could be algae (if green).

Let's have a little more info on the tank and I'm sure someone here can give you helpful advice.

Cheers!
P.

[Wendilen]

The tank came with an Aquatech Power Filter for 5-15 gallon aquarium. It has been running with the filter in it since setup. I put gravel in a mesh bag about 2 days ago from a neighbour with a healthy tank...hanging next to the filter. She has goldfish so I'm thinking about giving it to her if he lives through the cycle. I did some research and I didn't realize how big they grow.
The slim on the ornaments doesn't have any color that I can see. Wouldn't it be a bit earily for that to develop.
I did another water change today.......Goldfish are very messy I'm finding out.
I do't want to get any other fish really soon and I have to make sure that feeder is healthy before I give it to my neighbour so I guess I'm stuck.
Will that slimy stuff help my aquarium cycle sooner.

Oh I forgot to mention that the water has been a bit cloudy but not as bad as the first 2 days it was set up. Can I use a treatment for that or just leave it alone for now.

[Mckitrick]

I would avoid using a treatment for the cloudiness. I would wager that your filter isn't set up and the slimeyness is part of that set up.

You may want to try some of that cycle product (just get a small bottle because you shouldn't need it again).

Is there any way to get your water tested? Does your neighbor have a test kit?