murky Water

[Joeyt66]

Just looking for a bit of info, my tank for the last 2 or 3 days seems to be getting dirty (murky looking) not cloudy but darker looking. Any ideas what i have done? Did some water test nothing out of the ordinary. Ive lost one fish (ID shark)and dont want to lose anymore. Idid a 30 % water change and it didnt seem to help. I have a couple live plants that look a lil brown could it be them? Thank for the help

 

[CathyG]

Have you put any bogwood in your tank recently? Bogwood can leech tannins into the water, which will clear over time with water changes (once the wood stops leeching) The tannins are harmless to the fish, in fact some (particularly tetras) love it.

 

[Joeyt66]

no i havent added any recently i have a peice in there but its been there for bout 6 months

 

[Joeyt66]

i also have my light on for bout 12 hours is this too much? should i try and leave it off for a few days ?

 

[FrAnK3333]

I doubt lights would of been the cause of this. Have you tryed replacing your filter media, not all, becuase it might be full of dirt and not cleaning like it should.

 

[Joeyt66]

Ya tried that frank333

 

[FrAnK3333]

What type of filter do you have on your tank?

 

[Joeyt66]

2 aqua clear 300's

 

[FrAnK3333]

If it was me I would get another filter. Go for a canister filter. The magnum 350 is a very good one from what I read.

 

[Joeyt66]

acually i am looking in to a canister filter eheim or fluval. But the water has never been like this before.

 

[FrAnK3333]

My water was alright for a while then it started to get murkey as well. I upgraded my filter and it want away and stayed away.

 

[fufanu360]

im thinking bacteria bloom, which leaving the lights off for a bit longer may help, i would try that...

and just give it time, or if your real anxious and have deep pockets treat yourself to a diatom filter, they clean the water like you wouldnt beleive! it polishes it to 1 micron, wut ever that means ( i think thats really clean)

 

[Joeyt66]

never heard of a diaton filter how do they work? What is the best filter to have for my 125 gallon? I want to do it right, Maybe someone can post a few of the top filters that would be great thanks