Increasingly Cloudy Tank

[Bullrock74]

The fish are on a bit of a 'binge' right now while I try to solve the issue, so it's certainly not food.

I'm open to any suggestions though!!

Did you mean they are not being fed at all? Binging implies you are feeding the heck out of them.

Some say activated carbon is only effective for about a week or two tops and then it begins leeching what it has collected back into the tank. I have never experienced this, but if it is true, it would be a possible source for the cloudiness.

I hope someone can definitively answer this question, as I would certainly like to know what it is, albeit not as much as you, I'm sure...

 

[minnow]

umm,... "over-exposed" carbon does not leech! It's a popular myth but it's not true. The carbon just stays the way it is when it's full. It won't adsorb anymore nor will it leech it out. It just remains useless.

 

[chipster55]

The fish are on a bit of a 'binge' right now while I try to solve the issue, so it's certainly not food.

I'm open to any suggestions though!!

Did you mean they are not being fed at all? Binging implies you are feeding the heck out of them.

Some say activated carbon is only effective for about a week or two tops and then it begins leeching what it has collected back into the tank. I have never experienced this, but if it is true, it would be a possible source for the cloudiness.

I hope someone can definitively answer this question, as I would certainly like to know what it is, albeit not as much as you, I'm sure...

I have run activated charcoal since I started my tank (jan 06), 5 change it every month and never had an issue with cloudiness. I like it because my tank stays crystal clear.

 

[Dan04COBRA]

Sorry, I meant they aren't being fed much, at all. Once every 3 days until I solve this issue...

 

[wendyngd]

While you're on the topic of cloudy tanks, may I please inquire as to causes of greenish or brownish water? Overfeeding? We also had 15 mollie fry in a tank briefly with 3 other adult mollies, catfish and a betta. The betta got sick and died, even though we isolated him, etc. (My husband thinks some of it was 'old age" and some overcrowding)

Going to give the 10g tank a good vacuuming and water change this weekend to make sure we get all that extra bacteria out from having all those fry in there (donated a dozen to lfs)...Any input, I'd appreciate it. We are going through many filters weekly! Thanks. Wendy

 

[Bullrock74]

While you're on the topic of cloudy tanks, may I please inquire as to causes of greenish or brownish water? Overfeeding? We also had 15 mollie fry in a tank briefly with 3 other adult mollies, catfish and a betta. The betta got sick and died, even though we isolated him, etc. (My husband thinks some of it was 'old age" and some overcrowding)

Going to give the 10g tank a good vacuuming and water change this weekend to make sure we get all that extra bacteria out from having all those fry in there (donated a dozen to lfs)...Any input, I'd appreciate it. We are going through many filters weekly! Thanks. Wendy

Green water is what they call it...I have suffered from it myself from time to time...in my case it is caused by overfeeding...I now feed my fish every other day, and they still seem happy and no more green water, yet!

Here is a link to an informational page about green water:

http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/green-water.html

umm,... "over-exposed" carbon does not leech! It's a popular myth but it's not true. The carbon just stays the way it is when it's full. It won't adsorb anymore nor will it leech it out. It just remains useless.

I had never experienced carbon leeching either, but I just mentioned it as a last ditch effort to help solve the riddle of the cloudy tank. I don't think anyone knows the answer to this one!

 

[Dan04COBRA]

I wish someone knew the answer.

I will be performing about a 20-30% water change tomorrow morning, with a different brand of water treatment (won't be using a stress coat brand) and I'll do my best to accurately measure the treatment.

I'll keep you guys posted, if anyone is interested in the results..

 

[Dan04COBRA]

A little update on the current situation:

Since the 18th, I have performed TWO 20% water changes, both with a LOT of gravel vacuuming, not much matter was cleaned up as I do keep my tank pretty clean..

Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate is 10ppm.

So the tank is healthy as far as the biological filter. The cloudiness have improved A LOT since using a different brand water treatment. I also measured as accurately as I could too. I'll check back in when I do another 20% water change on Friday.

I just want to thank everybody for their suggestions, advice and opinions! This is why these forums are so great!!

Thanks for the help!!