Tank Water Clouded By Dusty Algae?

[fishmad135]

About a month ago I bought some new plants for my tank, recently some have become leggy and taken over the back of the tank so yesterday I removed them. As I removed the plants it "unleashed" a grey dust. Particles about the size baby brine shrimp.. I have no idea what these particles are, could be algae maybe?
 
I did a 20% water change immediately but couldn't get all the suspended particles out. They have now settled on plant leaves, on the bog wood and on the sand substrate (Only to be kicked up by the cat fish as they're in breeding mode). When i tried to do another smaller water change today particles got kicked up an clouded the tank once more and the filter doesn't seem to be grabbing any of it.. 

 
What on earth should I do???
 
Thanks, 
Imogen

 

[coolie]

Are you sure it wasn't just the substrate which normally takes 24 hours or so to be slowly removed by the filter?

 

[fishmad135]

Thanks Coolie!
Yeah, i guess that could be possible, I'll get some denser floss medium for my filter as the sponges I have at the moment are probably having a harder time keeping hold of it. 
Cheers

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Try changing a larger volume of water, say 50%, making sure you siphon from the bottom so get all the muck out.

 

[DreamertK]

If you dont wash the gravel/sand well enough, it'll leave a lot of dust in the water that'll settle on plants and objects and in the filter.

I already know of how horrendous it is because it's in my first tank. Now I will always wash the sand until it's as clear as day.

 

[fishmad135]

I washed it for agessssssss! oh that sucks, ive had sand before in other tanks and this has never happened! I've added more floss to my filter and done another 50% water change. Any other things I can do??

This is some of the SETTLED dust on the bog wood.. Not pretty I know!!

 

[Francesjane]

Sounds like you and I might have the same problem...I have a post in tropical discussion titled 'Getting Frustrated'

I cannot think what's causing it either but I know it's really annoying me.

I went out and bought more dense floss but it's still there...

Let me know if you discover what it is and I will let you know if I get rid of mine...

Tell me...is yours floating on the water too...usually seen better with lights on looking into the tank???

 

[DreamertK]

At some point you stop caring.

 
Well I have a sort of sponge thats wedged behind my tank where water is pumped through and back into the tank. When too much dust gathers on the sponge it keeps water from being pulled into the back part of the tank, so the water level appears uneven. When this happens I pull out the sponge and wash as much dust as I can out of it. Though when I put it back in it's still dusty for a while.

 

[Francesjane]

Ahh ok...well I worked out mine was newly added Cirax...guess it was breaking up....I have removed it and tank is now sparkly clean ......

 

[Lunar Jetman]

You could try draining off a large amount of water until it's either just under the water level or out of it, take out the bogwood slowly and the rinse it off. A good siphon should help too.