Help- Cloudy Water

[mattsr]

I've got a Rena Aqualife Panorama, with an Eheim 2126 external filter. The substrate is black sand, and the whole tank is well established, having been up and running for about 4 years now. I carry out weekly 20% water changes. Just over the last week or so the tank has turned quite cloudy- it looks like lots of tiny white particles in the water. I've tried a clarifier- Hagen Bio-Clear- but it doesn't seem to have made any difference so far. Nitrates etc seem fine.

The tank is stocked with 6 Platies, 4 Rams, a Flying Fox, 10 Tetras and about 7 Borneo Suckers- I say about 7 because I started with 2 and they seem to breed faster than I can keep up!! I feed a mix of Tetra Pro Colour and sinking pellets, small amounts twice a day.

None of the fish seem bothered by the cloudy water, but I am!! A few weeks ago it was crystal clear, now it's not. I really don't know what the problem could be.

 

[VaegaVic]

Water stats might give us an insight.

Ammonia,
Nitrite
Nitrate?

 

[Wills]

Tell you what though, utterly incredible that your Borneo Suckers have bred and survived! Do you have any pictures, that is a real achievement

White particles usually indicate a bacterial bloom though in an established tank thats unusual - theres a product made by interpet that could help the issue which is filter aid that makes all of it clog together and get trapped in the filter but its not a long term solution really.

If you can post pictures it might help to determine just what it is as it could always just be algae blooming for some reason?

Also as above says water stats would be really helpful

Wills

 

[mattsr]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies!!

Water stats are

Nitrite 0
Nitrate30
Ammonia0
Ph 7.2

The Bio-Clear seems to be making no difference after being in for a good 24 hours. I'll give Filter Aid a try, I've never used it before, and see what happens.

I guess it could well be some sort of Algal Bloom, but I don't know why it's appeared!!

I'm afraid I can't post any pics because I'm a bit of a luddite and dion't possess a digital camera- in fact any sort of camera come to think of it.

As for the Borneo Suckers- yes, I'm quite chuffed that they're breeding, but it was a bit of a shock!! I popped a pair in on 26 Jan 09 and within a month or two there were a couple of Fry swimming about- as I say, I think I now have 7 in total, although they are not easy to count.

Thanks again, and if you have any further thoughts let me know. On my next water change I'll try the Filter Aid.