Tank Dirtier After I Cleaned It?

[ranhi3]

I just did a water change in my 15gal tank and the water looks dirtier than before. I cant really see through it and all the gross stuff is just circling around the tank..is that normal? please help!

 

[rdp50734]

that should be fine it should clear up in an hour or so

 

[Curiosity101]

It's normal to have a bit of muck floating around.
But if there is ALOT then it means you probably aren't vaccing the bottom of the tank well enough.
Do you have gravel or sand?
I'm guessing gravel?

 

[ranhi3]

yes i have gravel

 

[arobinson1984]

I agree with curiousity, you probably just need to give the gravel a good weekly clean with a gravel vac.

Andy

 

[waterdrop]

Agree, totally normal, clears up overnight.

One of the great things about regular weekly gravel-clean-water-changes is that if you are doing them enough (not missing, or perhaps even doing more than weekly for a bit) then one of the rewards you will see after a while is that a gravel clean will not stir up nearly so much!

Nitrate(NO3) tests can be an aid in determining whether the size and frequency of such maintenance is being effective. If the nitrate(NO3) stays within about 5 to 15ppm above whatever the tap water nitrate(NO3) level is, then the cleaning should be going pretty well. There are many variables though, including fish and plant stockings.

~~waterdrop~~