Cloudy Water - Is It The Sand

[scottjames1uk]

I have had my tank now for about 4 months so its established. I changed to sand substrate about 5 weeks ago but recently the water is getting a little cloudy with little particles floating. I have cleaned filter. Changed the polishing filter and also tried a product to make water clear. I dont think i overfeed my fish. Any ideas? i am thinking about going back to gravel but would rather not. I have a aqua one external filter that would cope with a tank twice my size

 

[KittyKat]

Is it a bacterial bloom?

 

[scottjames1uk]

I dont think its that. my water has been tested and it is ok.

 

[Rorie]

It wont be the sand. Sand is by definition is particles from 0.06 to 2mm in diameter.... so you would see it! More to the point, it will sink quite quickly unless something is kicking it up constantly. I used to have it, and it'll all settle in a couple hours.

What it could be is dirt off the sand though. Was the water running crystal clear when you cleaned the sand?

 

[scottjames1uk]

The sand was clear and has been in for quite a while. I could remove my fish then take some of the sand out and wash it.

 

[KittyKat]

I dont think its that. my water has been tested and it is ok.

Bacterial blooms almost never show anything up on tests.

 

[scottjames1uk]

ok, But i have done water changes so how can this happen?

 

[KittyKat]

It just does; it doesn't matter what you do, even the tinyest thing can trigger it. They usually go after a large water change and a few days.

Still, make sure that it really is one and not something else. What colour is the milkyness? White? Green? Something else?

 

[CrazyAirborne]

yeah i would venture to say its definately not the sand, especially if you'd had it awhile, even silty sand settles after a couple hours, just think about the beach, or deep puddles, or any place with water, when u stir up the sand, it eventually settles, even if its really dirty.