Cloudy Tank?

[xamy_valox]

Hi there,
I did a water change today of around 20-25% and since doing this my tanks looks very cloudy and almost milky?
I got right into the gravel with my syphon and obviously disturbed alot of the muck that had settled, but usually the filter sorts everything out and it all goes very clear afterwards.
Is there any reason as to why my tank might have gone like this?
Thanks, Amy.

 

[Fantail_John]

Hi there,
I did a water change today of around 20-25% and since doing this my tanks looks very cloudy and almost milky?
I got right into the gravel with my syphon and obviously disturbed alot of the muck that had settled, but usually the filter sorts everything out and it all goes very clear afterwards.
Is there any reason as to why my tank might have gone like this?
Thanks, Amy.

Sometimes when you stir up the substrate, it can cause temporary cloudiness if it is this it should clear in about 4 - 6 hours. When did you last rinse out the filter media in old tank water?

 

[xamy_valox]

Hi there,
I did a water change today of around 20-25% and since doing this my tanks looks very cloudy and almost milky?
I got right into the gravel with my syphon and obviously disturbed alot of the muck that had settled, but usually the filter sorts everything out and it all goes very clear afterwards.
Is there any reason as to why my tank might have gone like this?
Thanks, Amy.

Sometimes when you stir up the substrate, it can cause temporary cloudiness if it is this it should clear in about 4 - 6 hours. When did you last rinse out the filter media in old tank water?

Its been like 24 hours and its still looks cloudy.
I am still cycling my tank at the moment so I havent cleaned out the filter media as of yet cus I don't want to get rid of any good bacteria!
Thanks, Amy.

 

[Fantail_John]

Hi there,
I did a water change today of around 20-25% and since doing this my tanks looks very cloudy and almost milky?
I got right into the gravel with my syphon and obviously disturbed alot of the muck that had settled, but usually the filter sorts everything out and it all goes very clear afterwards.
Is there any reason as to why my tank might have gone like this?
Thanks, Amy.

Sometimes when you stir up the substrate, it can cause temporary cloudiness if it is this it should clear in about 4 - 6 hours. When did you last rinse out the filter media in old tank water?

Its been like 24 hours and its still looks cloudy.
I am still cycling my tank at the moment so I havent cleaned out the filter media as of yet cus I don't want to get rid of any good bacteria!
Thanks, Amy.

I'm no expert so someone else will give you advice if i'm wrong, but it might be a bacteria bloom keep up the water changes and if it is a bloom it should clear up within a week. It happen to mine two weeks ago and change 50 % water each day and it cleared up. Like i say i'm no expert but if you are in a cycle it might be the bloom?

John

 

[fishnovice]

Yes in my experiencefrequent water changes can eliminate cloudinesss within a week in a healthy tank. However you said your tank is new and presumably not yet fully cycled. In which case high levels of ammonia and nitrates from fish waste and/or uneaten nfish food may encourage bacteria to flourish and cause cloudness. These toxins will also harm your fish so it is absolutely essential that you test the water daily for ammonia and nitrite and do frequent water changes depending on test results. Also cut back on food if you are overfeeding as this causes more ammonia and encourages the bacteria which can cause cloudiness

IMPORTANT - read the posted advice on Fish In Cycling in My First Tank Section

 

[xamy_valox]

Hi there, thanks for your replies.
Yes Fantail_John I had read about Bacteria Blooms on the internet and thought it could be this. I have done another water change today of around 30% and its still looking cloudy but not as much so as before.
I do have really high ammonia levels at the moment and have done since I have had my tank set up to be honest, although I am doing 20-30% water changes every other day and and only feeding on the alternate day, I cannot seem to get them down.
I do have hardy fish in the tank at the moment (guppies)and one male beta and they seem to still be active and colourful etc so touch wood visually I cannot see any effects. Although I know ammonia will be effecting them in some way.
Itts driving me insane because nothing I do seems to work to get to ammonia down!
I was using Ammo Lock from API which makes the ammonia non toxic until the filter can do its business, but I have since been advised by people on here not to use it.
I don't really know what else I can do!
Amy.

 

[Fantail_John]

Hi there, thanks for your replies.
Yes Fantail_John I had read about Bacteria Blooms on the internet and thought it could be this. I have done another water change today of around 30% and its still looking cloudy but not as much so as before.
I do have really high ammonia levels at the moment and have done since I have had my tank set up to be honest, although I am doing 20-30% water changes every other day and and only feeding on the alternate day, I cannot seem to get them down.
I do have hardy fish in the tank at the moment (guppies)and one male beta and they seem to still be active and colourful etc so touch wood visually I cannot see any effects. Although I know ammonia will be effecting them in some way.
Itts driving me insane because nothing I do seems to work to get to ammonia down!
I was using Ammo Lock from API which makes the ammonia non toxic until the filter can do its business, but I have since been advised by people on here not to use it.
I don't really know what else I can do!
Amy.

Hello

I know what you mean hard work and don't seam to be getting anywhere but it will come good in the end, keep at it here is another link if you have not read it? http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

This might answerer some question you have best of luck

John

 

[ellena]

When you say really high ammonia levels, what are the readings? Seachem prime is an economical water conditioner/dechlorinator which can detoxify some amount of ammonia, while still allowing the filter bacteria to feed from it.

 

[xamy_valox]

When you say really high ammonia levels, what are the readings? Seachem prime is an economical water conditioner/dechlorinator which can detoxify some amount of ammonia, while still allowing the filter bacteria to feed from it.

Well I don't really know, I am slightly confused about my liquid tester because when I test the ammonia levels they come up as the highest 8, but when I get it tested at my local fish shop it came up as 1! I don't know which one to believe!
Amy.