Murky Water

[blfoster]

I have a well established, understocked 55 gallon aquarium. Over the past week, the water has been turning very murky. Since the problem started I've been doing a 10 to 15 percent water change every two or three days, and I've been feeding them less, but it's only getting worse.

Before this started, I was doing a 10 to 15 percent water change every week.

I've been keeping fish for about two years, and I'm not an expert, but I do know how much to feed them without polluting the water. Also, if I were overfeeding them I would expect it to affect the water quality, but the water quality is excellent (I tested it today).

I have a lot of live plants. I get the dead leaves out when I see them, but it's impossible to get them all. They've been in there as long as I've had the aquarium, though, so I would be surprised if they are the problem.

Any ideas?

 

[Kevstir]

the water hasn't got a green tinge to it has it?? in the early stages i found looking down the length of the tank the best way to spot it , if it is slightly green then you have free floating algae , i had it for a few weeks and eventually got a cheap fish r fun 9 watt UV steriliser from eBay , the tank was clear in less than a week, here a link to my before and after pics

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=168199

 

[blfoster]

Yes, the water does have a green tinge. I may give a UV sterilizer a try. Doesn't that kill good bacteria, though?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Kevstir]

yeah it will kill any good bacteria in the water but 99% of the good bacteria is in your filter so its nothing to worry about ..

heres the one i use

http/cgi.ebay.com/9-watt-UV-Sterilizer-w...1QQcmdZViewItem

depending on the size of your tank you might need the 24 watt version

 

[wendyngd]

yeah it will kill any good bacteria in the water but 99% of the good bacteria is in your filter so its nothing to worry about ..

heres the one i use

http/cgi.ebay.com/9-watt-UV-Sterilizer-w...1QQcmdZViewItem


depending on the size of your tank you might need the 24 watt version

Hi- I have the same problem with my 10 gallon tank here in the US. (Long Island, NY). After I read your suggestions, I googled uv sterilizers and found that they are quite expensive (or dear as you say in the UK). I've e-mailed a company that advertises ones for ponds but also features dental uv sterilizers to see if they can be adaptable for fishtanks. Anyone have any suggestions for cheaper ones in the US?? Thanks. wendy

 

[blfoster]

I went to the pet store today to see if I could get a cheap UV sterilizer without paying $20 for shipping (why is it so expensive?). The cheapest one they had was $130, so I spent $5 on some Tetra Algae Control drops instead. I don't like putting any more chemicals than necessary in my aquarium, so if the drops don't fix the problem after a dose or two, I'll fork over the money and buy a UV sterilzer on ebay.

 

[Crossfc]

If it is floating algae, just get some sort of algae fixer. Its hard to tell from looking at the tank. I had to fill a bucket full of tank water to notice it was green when I got it.