Cloudy Water!

[Crazycat lady]

Hi there
I have recently come accross a strange problem in my tank. All of a sudden my water has gone cloudy (hence the title). i have had a similar problem before due to my nitrates/trites being too high, but this time my levels are absolutely fine. water has ben tested by both myself and a pet shop! Any ideas? I have recently added a new plant and recharged my aquadetox pad. Could this be the cause? Slightly worried as I have just bred some rather adorable ickle baby gups! And advise is welcome

Thank you

 

[karin]

We need more info:
Size of tank
Filteration
How long cycled?
What are you testing? How are you testing it? And what are the readings?
What are the tank inhabitants?
What color is the cloudiness, green or white?

Thanks.

 

[micko]

+1.

Sounds like a bacterial bloom

 

[Crazycat lady]

We need more info:
Size of tank - tank is 60 litre

Filteration - running 2 internal filters, Fluval U2 and Fluval 2plus( which contains so sponge but an aqua detox pad) U2 been running for a year and alternate sponges are rinsed in drained tank water every 2-3 weeks or so)

How long cycled?- not sure of the meaning of this one

What are you testing? How are you testing it? And what are the readings? - testing for nitrates with waterlife NO3 test kit(less than 25mg/l) nitrites with Aqua one NO2 test kit (around 0.1 mg/l). also took water sample to aquatics centre who confirmed results and that my amonia andPH is also fine.

What are the tank inhabitants? - tank has 2 mollies (average size), 7 fully grown gupps, 3 endliers gups, 2 neons, 3 rummy nose tetras 3 bleeing heart tetras (very small) a synodontis, plec and loach (all very small around 3cm).

What color is the cloudiness, green or white? -cloudiness is white


x

 

[micko]

Ok, I think you should read the fish in cycle in the beginners resource centre.
For a 60ltr tank a plec should be a definite no. They grow far too big.

 

[-FighterFishh]

We need more info:
Size of tank - tank is 60 litre

Filteration - running 2 internal filters, Fluval U2 and Fluval 2plus( which contains so sponge but an aqua detox pad) U2 been running for a year and alternate sponges are rinsed in drained tank water every 2-3 weeks or so)

How long cycled?- not sure of the meaning of this one

What are you testing? How are you testing it? And what are the readings? - testing for nitrates with waterlife NO3 test kit(less than 25mg/l) nitrites with Aqua one NO2 test kit (around 0.1 mg/l). also took water sample to aquatics centre who confirmed results and that my amonia andPH is also fine.

What are the tank inhabitants? - tank has 2 mollies (average size), 7 fully grown gupps, 3 endliers gups, 2 neons, 3 rummy nose tetras 3 bleeing heart tetras (very small) a synodontis, plec and loach (all very small around 3cm).

What color is the cloudiness, green or white? -cloudiness is white


x

Are you using liquid test kits or testing strips?

Also, that's a very overstocked tank. Most plecos will outgrow a 60L, as will any loach. After just looking up synodontis, it seems that'll probably get too big too.
Also, neons, rummy nose tetras and bleeding heart tetras all need to be in a shoal of at least 6 to be happy. It just makes them feel safer.

For now, just do some daily water changes with warm, dechlorinated tap water and see if that helps get rid of the cloudiness

 

[marieukxx]

Ok, I think you should read the fish in cycle in the beginners resource centre.
For a 60ltr tank a plec should be a definite no. They grow far too big.

It's been running for a year though so must be cycled now

 

[Crazycat lady]

My plec is a gold banded one and was told that he would get to a max of 10cm. But at that length he is going to be moving house to an 80 gallon tank at my mothers. currently using liquid test kits. Looking for a small tank for my room to transfer some of the smaller inhabitants into. Although finding it hard to find one i like! I'm sorry very new to forums and just finding my way around. Will certainly try check out the beginners literature.

 

[Crazycat lady]

Ah I'm aware of nitrogen cycles etc from my a-level years. Just wasn't sure of the context relating to aquarium jargon Tank looks considerably clearer today mind! I'd try post a pic but i have no idea how to upload one to a forum!

 

[SchottayB]

Go to www.imageshack.us, upload the picture there and you will be given a lot of links, copy and paste the link for forums .

 

[Crazycat lady]

Thankyou

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my tank at the moment

 

[Crazycat lady]

Looked up a pictures of synodontis's (synodonti plural???) mine definately isn't one of those! darn man in the garden centre. Would like to take a pic but he/she is hiding in his little cave and I don't want to disturb him!

 

[adgieman]

when your cleaning your filter you mentioned alternate sponges? Can you explain a little what are you doing here?

 

[Crazycat lady]

My filter (fluval U2) has 2 sponge compartments each either side of a box of bio max. every 2 - 3 weeks(sometimes more often depending on saturation) during a water change I rinse out one of the sponges in the tank water until most of the "poo" is removed and replace. I didn't want to clean both sponges at the same time in case I removed too many bacteria and upset the cycle. When replacing sponges I only replace one at a time too. x

 

[adgieman]

you ideally dont want to replace sponges unless they are litterally falling apart, there is no need. And as for rinsing just rinse one at a time like you are doing, but just a quick squeeze to remove the loose stuff, sounds like your doing good with that, just wanted to check you werent replacing sponges and plunging yourself into a new cycle etc