Gravel Problem

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

hi every one i set up my 250ltr tank up the other day any way i thought i washed the gravel properly
but i didnt, now the water is really milky, any way of clearing the milky tinge short emptying the whole tank?
ive got one plec, one featherfin, 5 BN's, one rainbow shark, one large angel, two medium angels and one small angel in the
tank. id really not like to take the fish out if possible. im also running a (Aqua One-Aquis 2400) canister filter witch is designed for 800ltr tank(plecs can be really messy) thanks

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

did you cycle the tank? It could be an algae bloom rather than unwashed gravel.

 

[arobinson1984]

As dipsydoodlenoodle said, its likely to be the tank wasnt cycled.

Are you new to the hobby? Its a common misconception usually amongst newcomers not realising what is actually required before a tank is stable and safe to keep fish.

Have a read up of the link in my signature, mainly the 'what is cycling' 'nitrogen cycle' and the 'fish-in cycle' links, any questions and we are here to help.

If the water is cloudy due to the gravel then the filter will clear this up in a day of 2, although its still unlikely the tank is cycled unless you used a mature media source in your filter.


Andy

 

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

yeah it was running for about a week before setting it up, at first i had my fish in there with out the gravel, i had to get them outta buckets asap, had to wate till i got payed to buy some gravel, before putting in gravel water was crystal clean.

no sorry not all that new to the hobby kept fish for about 4 years or so, its never happened before so ive never really bothered finding out how to fix it.

 

[arobinson1984]

What you mentioned isnt cycling so I'm presuming if you have kept tanks for 4 years that you have done so without actually knowing the scientific processes involved. Have a read of them links, you will now find yourself in a fish-in cycle situation where large daily (75%+) water changes are required to keep the fish alive.

You really need a good quality LIQUID based test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH. The 2 best are the API freshwater master kit and the saliferts individual tests.


Andy

 

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

ive got the test kits, and im using the filter out of my old tank, i changed on lot off media in it as it had seen better days. the other three layers i left the same. that wouldnt mess it around would it? the fish seem really healthy no signs off stress. um.... how much water should i change a day to clear the cloudyness or should i just leave the filter to pick it up.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, agree with Andy. Its very easy to have kept your first tank or two based on a LFS telling you to just put fish in early on and perhaps only losing a few or no fish. This leaves you in the situation of having kept fish for some years without actually ever having anyone explain the nitrogen cycle and the real magic that goes on with the filtration that occurs via the beneficial bacteria.

When cloudiness in a new tank has a very milky look, its very often the result of a bacterial bloom, despite perhaps happening at the same time as a substrate adding cloudiness by not being fully washed. The bacterial bloom is caused by heterotrophic bacteria (not the beneficial ones we like to grow in our filters) multiplying to feast on some of the substances in the new tank. The bloom is not a serious thing and will go away but it often has the lucky side effect of bringing a beginner to the forum where for the first time they can interact with our members and learn about the nitrogen cycle and the methods of really understanding the core aspects of keeping their water the way the fish will like it!

So I agree, have a good read of the Nitrogen Cycle, the Fishless Cycle and the Fish-In cycling articles and listen to Andy and the other members about water changes and proper liquid test kits. These will get you up to speed quickly!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JoshuaA]

~~waterdrop~~

Hey WD, is it odd for you not to have experienced a bacterial bloom at all in a tank whilst cycling? Is it encouraged by high light situations etc?

 

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

ok, ive never had any problems, and im about 99 percent sure the cloudyness is from the gravel, how much water should i change a day?

 

[arobinson1984]

The best way to establish if it is from your gravel is to test your water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH and post your results on here.

What test kit do you use?

If it is from the gravel then you can either add a chemical called accuclear which will help clear the water but there really is no point spending money on that when your filter will clear it for you, if its particularly murky then I'd suggest doing a large water change (50%-75%) which will help clear the water.

Please do water tests and post results on here BEFORE doing a water change, that way we can help you by better understanding your current situation.


Andy

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Yes, agree with Andy. Its very easy to have kept your first tank or two based on a LFS telling you to just put fish in early on and perhaps only losing a few or no fish. This leaves you in the situation of having kept fish for some years without actually ever having anyone explain the nitrogen cycle and the real magic that goes on with the filtration that occurs via the beneficial bacteria.

Exactly true; I've kept fish for 17 years and just basically put them in the tank; no problems, no deaths, no bacterial blooms etc. It's only my latest tank that I'm fishless-cycling in. I never realised there was anything more to it than putting a fish in and cleaning it.

I'd have thought the filter would have cleaned the gravel dust away by now.

 

[stuuk1]

Nobody has really answered this guys question... If it is just dist from your unwashed gravel, get hold of some 'polishing filter media'. Its just a thin layer. Place it on top of your other media in the filter. It will collect all the smallest particles of dust.

 

[arobinson1984]

We cant answer this guys question until we know the water stats.

High ammonia would cause an algae bloom which we cant rule out until the op posts water test results back. It could be just as you say, muck from the gravel but I dont like to give advice without all required facts present.


Andy

 

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

hi,i use API test kits (should really buy a master kit) tested my water this afternoon, ammonia 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates 20ppm PH is 7. i put some "geo liquid" in this morning. i come home this morning nearly all cleared up.

 

[pumpkin-666@hotmail.com]

Nobody has really answered this guys question... If it is just dist from your unwashed gravel, get hold of some 'polishing filter media'. Its just a thin layer. Place it on top of your other media in the filter. It will collect all the smallest particles of dust.

thanks for that, if this ever happens to me again i'll go and grab some. i think the tank looks milky because of white gravel, i think if it was brown gravel it would look like muddy creek water.