Cloudy Water?

[fishyindenmark]

I've had my 55 gallon freshwater tank up and running since around last Christmas and I continue to have issues with water clarity. I've been using a conditioner called Acurel F - 25, which claims to suspend particles in the water which allow them to either settle or become filtered out. The product is organic and supposedly non-toxic to the fish. It does a remarkable job, but I can't help but wonder as to the cause of this problem in the first place. The tank came was a kit and has a large dual cartridge filter, not an under-gravel system. Admittedly, I've got perhaps more fish in there than I should, but seemingly within the 1" per gallon rule I've read about here. I was pondering getting a second filter, but I'd rather not go through the expense if ultimately it's not going to help. Given the novelty of our new set up, we do a good job maintaining the tank, so I'm doubting it's due to neglect. Any of you fish experts have an idea what's causing this continual problem? The tank just looks so much more attractive when you've got that crystal clear water!

What are your tank parameters? What are the filters, fish, and recent tests for ammonia nitrate and nitrite? This information may help us in finding the cause of your problems.

Well, I tested the water but had to use a strip type and discovered I've got a boatload of problems. The nitrate level is around 80; the nitrite level is 0; the hardness is around 300 (very hard); the akalinity is nearly 0; and the ph is around 6.2! What can I do to get this various readings into the safe range. If there's a link within the forum, I'd appreciated having it provided. Thanks for your anticipated help in advance.

 

[waterdrop]

Paper test strips are worse than bad, they're misleading. You need to get a good liquid-reagent based test kit like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Many of us like and use that one. The Nutrafin Mini-Master Test Kit is also good.

Then you need to come back and get more advice before you go changing anything as many of the worries you cite should not be worried about whereas other things like ammonia are still unknown and that's very important. While it may be true that ultimately you'll make a decision to alter the hardness and pH of your water if its too soft and acit, that's a serious decision and you'd need plenty more discussion of it prior.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[fishyindenmark]

Paper test strips are worse than bad, they're misleading. You need to get a good liquid-reagent based test kit like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Many of us like and use that one. The Nutrafin Mini-Master Test Kit is also good.

Then you need to come back and get more advice before you go changing anything as many of the worries you cite should not be worried about whereas other things like ammonia are still unknown and that's very important. While it may be true that ultimately you'll make a decision to alter the hardness and pH of your water if its too soft and acit, that's a serious decision and you'd need plenty more discussion of it prior.

~~waterdrop~~

I'll pick up the API tomorrow, test again, and report back. As for the fish population, about 18 various neons, about 10 tetras, 5 barbs, 3 glow fish, 2 dwarf gouramis, a large apple snail and a bamboo shrimp. I've got about 1/2 live and 1/2 artificial plants with a small sized natural stone gravel. The fish were introduce gradually with the last 5 bleeding heart tetras put in about 45 days ago. I don't think there came a time when the population reached some kind of critical mass which generated the clarity problem. It seems as if I've been fighting it to varying degrees almost since the original set up. Anyway, I'll get back with more accurate readings. Thanks again.