Milky Water

[(GTV)Chris]

Hi,

I bought a 90 litre tank, set it up, added bacteria and let it run for 10 days.
I added 5 tiny danio's advised by my local FS.
The water readings are all rosie, no amonia and no nitrite. They have been in for two weeks....
However, the water has now gone murky and is now difficult to see the plants and fish. I am worried its getting a green tinge to it.
It is about 10 ft away from the nearest window and I only leave the light on for 7 hrs a day and sometimes less when we are at work.
I did a water change recently of about 20%.
Could it be the quality of our water here in Warrington?
Or a bacterial or algae bloom?
I have been advised to buy a UV steriliser to kill off the green water and toxins?
Any advice would be great.

Chris

 

[WILDER]

I would invest in a liquids test kit in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph.
As you need to know your readings.
I would read up on a cycling tank.
Sounds like a bacterial bloom.
Cut down and feeding, and increase aeration in the tank.

What can I kill with a UV sterilizer?
UV sterilizers will destroy parasites such as Ich during the new born, free swimming life cycle stage.
NOTE: They do not kill or remove the Ich parasites once attached to the fish. UV Sterilizers can be used with other methods to treat Ich. UV Sterilizers will kill free floating algae. It will not kill algae that is stuck to your glass or imbedded in your live rock. It needs to go through the UV sterilizer to be zapped.

 

[chicklette]

Yes, I do agree with Wilder. I think it's a bacterial bloom.

How often do you clean your tank and what amount are you taking out. Usually a bacterial bloom lasts for about three days. I would defiantly keep an eye on your water parameters.

How often do you feed your fish?

 

[Tolak]

Green is algae, white is bacterial. Leave the tank lights off for a week if you have no live plants, feed 1/3 normal. UV will take care of a free floating algae problem, I would try to solve the problem rather than the symptoms first. Bacterial or algae blooms are common in newly cycled or cycling tanks, give it time to sort itself out.

 

[(GTV)Chris]

Hi,

Firstly, thank you for all your help.
I have a complete testing kit and nitrite and amonia are both clear. I will test the Ph and nitrate and let you know the results.
I do a 20% water change approx every 10 days and add new bacteria (Cap full) each time.
I have a Fluval filter that sucks the air in from above the water level and there appears like there is enough tiny bubbles getting into the water but maybe I need to add more airation...Could you recommend a way to do this.

I thought about adding live plants... Would this help balance the aquarium?

Thanks for all your help.

Chris

 

[(GTV)Chris]

Ok
Results of water test

Amonia 0.6
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ph 7.5

I will do another water change tonight and see if that helps. Then maybe small water changes over the weekend?

Many thanks

Chris

 

[WILDER]

Whats are tap nitrate reading as it's quite rare to have a reading of 0.

 

[(GTV)Chris]

Just done the nitrate test three more times from the tap water twice and the tank once. After adding all three of the bottles in the correct order and amount the result comes back as completely clear. No discolouration at all, eeven after 10 minutes of leaving solution in the test tube

Many thanks

Chris

 

[WILDER]

Best to leave the nitrate test for half an hour for an accurate reading.

 

[(GTV)Chris]

Thanks for the tip.
I will do it again this evening and report back.

Regards

Chris

 

[Miss Wiggle]

what's happening is you are cycling with fish in, this topic will explain

http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...eady-have-fish/

what 'bacteria' product are you using, unfortunaley most of them are rubbish so it's probably not doing anything, your tank readings indicate that the tank is currently cycling, if the bacteria product was working that would not be the case.

because you only have 5 small fish it will take quite a while to cycle, it's actually best to stock with a half decent number of fish if you are going to cycle with fish. the ammonia reading indicates that the tank is not cycled as does the 0 reading for nitrate (we have 0 nitrate from the tap so it's perfectly possible that you do, if that's the reading you're getting then that's the reading you're getting!!).

the milky water is bacteria bloom, this again supports the theory that the tank is cycling and the bacteria isn't working.

it's perfectly normal to have algae and bacteria blooms in new tanks, but yes adding some hardy plants would help with the algae.

 

[Gazoo]

If you are using the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals nitrate test, be sure to shake the #2 test solution vigorously before adding the ten drops to test tube.

 

[(GTV)Chris]

UPDATE

After a 30% water change the water became less green and the cloudiness started to disappear.
The following day I added the correct amount of Acuclear. The following morning I couldn't believe it.
The water was crystal clear, it was almost as if there was no water at all
The only slight problem is a dusting of brown algae which I belive is normal in a new tank set up?

Many thanks for all your help.

Chris