Tank Has Gone All Cloudy

[Vin]

My tank has gone pretty cloudy looking........any ideas why?

Thanks in advance.

Vin

 

[TribeOfShroom]

Hey,

Cloudiness could possibly be a bacteria bloom. I'm sure you've posted them somewhere on here before, but do you mind posting your water stats and possibly your fishes feeding routine?

 

[backtotropical]

I agree with TOS.

Also, how long has your tank been set-up?

Have you cleaned the filter recently?

 

[Vin]

What is a bactria bloom?

Also, how long has your tank been set-up? 2 weeks

Have you cleaned the filter recently? No

Water stats? Not got a test kit yet.

Feeding routine? Flakes once daily just now. Cucumber placed in tank for Pleco which is removed after 24 hours.

Done a 20% water change and increased air in the tank 2 days ago.


Hope this helps.

 

[backtotropical]

Did you cycle your filter before adding fish, Vin?

If you don't know what cycling is, that will explain your cloudy water?

 

[Vin]

I set up the tank for a week and a half with filter, heater running.

Then I added the fish.

Was nice and clear until a few days ago.

 

[Colin_T]

too much fish food decomposing in the water gives it a milky colour. A healthy well established filter should clear it up once you remove the excess food. Try doing a 50% water change and gravel clean using dechlorinated water that has a similar temp to the tank. Cut the feeding back.

 

[Vin]

Can you use a gravel cleaner if you have sand instead of gravel.

You must all be there going, is this guy

 

[backtotropical]

Don't do a water change. The cloudy water is being caused by a bacterial bloom. This is millions of bacteria floating around in the water. These bacteria are beneficial to the tank, and in fact are the exact bacteria which you need to build up in your filter. Leave it a couple of days and it will settle on its own. Doing a water change will make the water look clearer but will remove these bacteria and set you back in your quest for an established tank.

Also, you can use a gravel vac. Try not to disturb the sand with it, just swirl it above the sand and it'll sook up all the stuff lying about.

 

[Vin]

Thank you for all your support and advice.

I really appreciate it and appreciate not being treated as being stupid.

You guys are the best.

Vin

 

[backtotropical]

No probs mate. The only stupid question in this hobby is the one you don't ask.

Just noticed you're in Edinburgh. Nice to see another local member.

 

[Colin_T]

Don't do a water change. The cloudy water is being caused by a bacterial bloom. This is millions of bacteria floating around in the water. These bacteria are beneficial to the tank, and in fact are the exact bacteria which you need to build up in your filter. Leave it a couple of days and it will settle on its own. Doing a water change will make the water look clearer but will remove these bacteria and set you back in your quest for an established tank.

If the water has gone cloudy then there is probably ammonia in it and angelfish and plecos don't do well with ammonia in the water. A couple of big water changes will dilute the cloudiness and any ammonia in the water and help relieve the stress on these fishes. Less chance of them dieing from ammonia poisoning.

 

[backtotropical]

Don't do a water change. The cloudy water is being caused by a bacterial bloom. This is millions of bacteria floating around in the water. These bacteria are beneficial to the tank, and in fact are the exact bacteria which you need to build up in your filter. Leave it a couple of days and it will settle on its own. Doing a water change will make the water look clearer but will remove these bacteria and set you back in your quest for an established tank.

If the water has gone cloudy then there is probably ammonia in it and angelfish and plecos don't do well with ammonia in the water. A couple of big water changes will dilute the cloudiness and any ammonia in the water and help relieve the stress on these fishes. Less chance of them dieing from ammonia poisoning.

Under any other circumstances i would avise lots of water changes if you even suspect that you have ammonia in the tank and i do agree with your reasoning, Colin, however as there is a bacterial bloom, the bacteria will probably deal with the problem reasonably quickly.

No fish do well with ammonia in the water, not just angels and plecos. Ammonia is lethal to any fish.

Vin, you should invest in test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH as soon as possible. We will be able to help you more if we know your water parameters. I should have said this in my previous post.

Do any of your fish have inflamed gills or are they gasping for breath or sluggish?