Cloudy/milky Water

[Squirrelbuddies]

Last week I converted the 29 gallon tank to a planted tank. I used flourite this time for substrate. The water has been cloudy (milky) for a week now. When I converted the 38 gallon I used laterite with gravel on top -- absolutely zero cloudiness from day one through now (2 weeks later).

This is driving me crazy watching the fish swim through a milky haze.

I just set up the CO2 last night (nutra fin unit). pH is 6.8, phosphate 0.5 ppm, nitrate 5.0ppm and KH is 4.

I also replaced the filter last week-- (HOB unit) with an Eheim external. Ammonia and nitrite are/and have been at zero as I kept both of them running for 5-6 days and added some of the old filter media to the new filter.

So lots going on here. Is the milky cloud from changing the filter or the flourite--- maybe both?

I did rinse the flourite first and it was a little muddy at first -- but that cleared up quickly. Now it's just that milky, crappy haze that's left.

 

[Jen]

Since you replaced the filter and the substrate at the same time, I would assume that you are going through a mini cycle. Give it some time. I see you have 2 tanks... You could always make a bag of gravel from the other tank and throw it in. This will help send bacteria into the gravel and speed up the process.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

That's a great idea! (adding the bag of gravel) I guess I should have thought of that myself. I've been too consumed with being cranky over the cloudiness!

 

[Jen]

lol. I know that milkyness all too well. I had it for about a month after setting up my tank, and didn't have a second tank to clone. I found it helped to half my lights. I have 4 tubes on 2 timers, so I turned one set off until it cleared. I don't know if that really had anything to do with it, but you never know.