Did I Just Make A Mistake?

[PrairieSunflower]

Right, I've just changed my tank water and cleaned my filter (not the bio cartridge or the sponges, just the casing and such). I ran it for a moment in a container to blow out any lose junk afterwards. Then placed it in my tank and it still blew out a small bit, nothing major... I decided to add some Filter Aid (binds particles to help filter clear them more quickly). Now... its not the first time I have used this... but its the first time my tank has gone completely cloudy!

What does this mean? I'm not getting any out of sorts readings on ammonia or anything.

Change the water again to be safe?

I should add, the fish don't seem bothered.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Right, I've gone and changed 80% of the water and its much improved but not perfectly clear... more noticeable probably because its right next to another tank.

 

[bmonki]

maybe the filter aid that you added didnt work instantly? either way id say run it for a day or two if your readings are good and see if it clears up. how did you clean the filter?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

how did you clean the filter?

I removed the bio cartridge and two sponges into a bowl of tank water, they only needed a squeeze. I scrubbed the filter case under the tap as it had a thick layer of film on the inside and the water flow wasn't all it could be. Then once that was done reassembled it. First ran it in a container of tank water to blow out particles and returned it to the tank.

 

[bmonki]

hmm that shouldnt have made it cloudy then... id be inclined to leave it and see if it clears up

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Yeah, the water was clear before I added the filter aid and then turned cloudy instantly when added.

Anyhow... been staring at it all afternoon and decided to change the water a third time (50% this time) and its much improved. I don't think I'll use that filter aid again (although that has never happened the couple of times I used it before).