Cloudy Water(con.)

[AHackett72]

My water is still cloudy in my 20 gal. It doesn't seem to be clearing up as it has been like this for a month or so now. I just want some more help. All tests came out 0, which is good but still cloudy.

 

[Fordaz]

What kind of cloudy? Green cloudy?

 

[AHackett72]

The water is whitish-grey.

 

[Fordaz]

What kind of filter you got in the tank? Also... had you added anything new to the tank before you started seeing the cloudy water appear?

Can't be the filter bacteria... they'd have sorted themselfs out in a month. The only thing I can think of is your aquarium filter, it may need changing.

 

[flintstone]

I couldn't find the original message so I'm not sure what your problem is entirely, but:

I had a white cloudy water problem in my 30 gallon oscar tank recently. I was able to clear the problem up by:

-daily 25-30% water changes.
-using "cycle" according to the directions on the bottle. (weekly)


-adding aquarium salt <<-not sure why this helped or if it helped, but if you have catfish and/or plants, don't try it.

I think it was mostly the water changes and the "cycle".

Also, try rinsing out your filter in the old aquarium water. This helps to keep the good bacteria and also rids the filter of debris which may be helping to cloud the water (uneaten food, poop...)

Good luck & be patient! As long as your readings are still "0", this problem is probably not dangerous for your fish. (what is the pH reading?)

 

[flintstone]

I think that sometimes cloudy water is caused by cleaning too good. So by rinsing instead of changing the filter, you will be able to preserve the "good" bacteria while getting rid of the waste.

this was very helpful in my case.

It took a week or so, but my water is very clear now.

 

[tstenback]

Welcome back AHackett72. The whitish gray water usually indicates a bacteria bloom. This usually happens fairly early in the cycle but can last quite a while. If it is a bacteria bloom (i can only guess it is) then it will go away, either by itself or with a few small water changes.
You mentioned all of the levels are 0. If you are talking about ammonia, nitrite and nitrate then this is not good. If you have had an ammonia spike and a nitrite spike then you must have a positive nitrate reading. With no nitrates i will have to say that the tank is not cycled.
Could you give the process you have been using to cycle the tank? It would help us give you solid advice about how to approach your situation.

 

[maddskillz]

i had that same problem i am also newbie i was told by my fish store to use aqua clear it works good it clumps all the cloudy stuff togeather so the filter can catch it it takes it over night to do it but it works

http/www.dallasnorthaquarium.com/


these guys know what there talking about

 

[Mesome]

I would refrain from chemically treating it for now and focus on the water changes. I use chemicals as a last resort. A few good water changes is MUCH better then to keep adding chemicals...IMO

 

[konrad05]

from experience, no chemical will get you out of "cloudy-water" trouble. You can keep doing water changes as mesome suggested. It also sounds like your bacteria haven't seen any ammonia yet, if you're simply pouring in "bacteria-in-a-bottle" the cycle will take really long. Try putting in a couple of drops of pure ammonia, see how your tank reacts. If ammonia readings go down within a few hours along with 0 nitrites, then your tank is ready for some fish . Good luck

 

[AHackett72]

I already got fish in this tank. There has been fish in here since December. Also my dad suggested that I take all the fish out and put them in a different aquarium and take all the water out and clean the gravel and plants up really good. also along with cleaning my filter out as well. If I did that I would let my tank cycle for about a week before my fish re-enter. Just give me your opinion.

 

[AHackett72]

I'm getting pretty discouraged now. I just tested the water and the nitrite and ammonia both showed up 0 ppm. I wish someone had the answer to my problem!

 

[tstenback]

Your ammonia and nitrite readings are zero...what is your nitrate reading?

 

[konrad05]

I already got fish in this tank. There has been fish in here since December. Also my dad suggested that I take all the fish out and put them in a different aquarium and take all the water out and clean the gravel and plants up really good. also along with cleaning my filter out as well. If I did that I would let my tank cycle for about a week before my fish re-enter. Just give me your opinion.

In my opinion, your dad doesn't know anything about water chemistry or fish, if you do that, not only will you shock the fish (and possibly kill them), but you're going to go back to day 1. I would invest some more time into reading more about cycling IMO.

 

[Sky042]

I already got fish in this tank. There has been fish in here since December. Also my dad suggested that I take all the fish out and put them in a different aquarium and take all the water out and clean the gravel and plants up really good. also along with cleaning my filter out as well. If I did that I would let my tank cycle for about a week before my fish re-enter. Just give me your opinion.

This would be a terrible idea. You want your ammonia and nitrite readings to be at zero that's healthy water.

I personally am in the same boat I have perfect water but it's got a whitish haze. in my case it stems from the filter being overloaded. It's just not up to the task of the oscar and the pleco so I have free floating bacteria. this is why I'm transfering the oscar to a new tank with enough filtration.

Sadly there isn't much you can do about it beisde keeping up your maintenance and waiting. Also might want to check into adding more filtration to your tank.