Question about filter issue

[wvgal61]

I purchased a 30 gallon tank in June. It was a kit so it came with a filter. I have had nothing but issues with the water getting cloudy. I clean and do water changes and with in a few days it is very cloudy again. Also have had some brown algae issues. I don't think the filter that came with the tank is large enough. It is states for UP TO 30 gallons. Would I have to buy a larger filter or could I just add another one and run with this one? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[TropicalEnthusiast]

I bought my first tank as a kit so the filter and heater was included. The filter was pretty cheap and just about done the job. I have since upgraded my tank and bought a Fluval U2 filter. I have noticed a huge difference.

Have you done any water tests? Do you treat your water, and if so what do you use? What is in the tank currently?

It sounds to me like a bacterial bloom, possibly caused by the filter. In my amateur opinion, the best course of action would be to purchase a better filter and continue to do 25% weekly water changes until the cloudiness disperses.

 

[wvgal61]

I have two cory cats, two guppies and two nitro snails. The heater malfunctioned the first month and cooked my fish. The water test are always with-in normal limits. I think I will buy a new filter today and run them together for a bit and see. I will also do a water change today or tomorrow. Thanks

 

[TropicalEnthusiast]

Do you clean your filter media regularly? I suggest doing a bit of research and purchasing a new filter and run them in conjunction with each other for a week or two then simply take the old filter out and solely run the new one.

 

[wvgal61]

yea I clean it about once a month. I am going to get a new one today and do a water change and run them both together for a while and see how that goes. I had a tank several years ago for about 4 years and never had a problem. But I remember it being a double pump and I had live plants. I do have live plants now but doesn't seem to be doing the job. Wish me luck!

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you post the actual numbers from your tests, please?

How do you clean the filter, exactly?

Is the cloudiness white or green?

 

[Byron]

Yes, we could use the data Fluttermoth mentions. I would be less likely to blame the existing filter, and a new one may not help at all.

An aquarium should be able to run without any filter. Obviously this depends upon the fish load, but I have run filter-less planted tanks with fish. The load you mention is hardly going to impact the water quality in a 30g tank, unless they are heavily overfed or something.

Diatom and bacterial blooms can be discouraging, and keeping the filter clean (more frequent cleaning), keeping the substrate clean, and with decent-size regular (= weekly) water changes all helping reduce organics which is what feeds the blooms mentioned. A green bloom is due to unicellular algae, also related to organics and light.

Byron.