orange water

[neomaximus2k]

hi everyone, have noticed that my water has turned orange a few times, well yesterday it was really orange and one of the guppies died, looks like it was in mid swim as well due to the way its gills hwere and bent in an arch, anyway I have done a water change but it is still orange anybody know what it is??

Also have white algie looking stuff on the side of the tank but i think this might be the filter wool (its a crap pump i know)

any help would be advantagues

many thanks

[neomaximus2k]

please someone help the guppies are dying like mad now, they all seem to swim like they gone mad upside down and mainly on their side I have hunted online for an answer but I cant find anything please :( :( :( :( :( :sad

[BradleyUffner]

The only information that I can find seems to say that orange water can be an indication of too much Iron in the water. I don't know if that would hurt the fish or not though, since the site it was on was talking about streams near mines. Do you have anything metal in the tank that could be rusting?

[neomaximus2k]

nope there is nothing metal in the tank at all, i'll have to take a picture...

I have attached a pic, it doesn't show the orange of the water that much but it does show the white stuff on the tank :( :sad :sad :sad :sad :sad

[acefred]

It could be some sort of bacteria or alge........Does you water test well? Go to you LFS and take a large sample and see if they can tell you anythiing.

I would also do massive 50-70% back to back water changes to try and clear this up, remove all decor and clean it and do a good filter cleaning and add in some carbon. Depending if you want to spend the $$ you could also look at a diatom filter which is like a HEPA filter for water.

[Harlock]

I can't tell you much without water tests. You need to check for ammonia, nitrItes, nitrAtes, pH and may as well check for phosphates if you have the test. Water changes are always my first step in any kind of situation for my fish. How often do you clean the tank? The tank looks pretty cloudy. Also, how long has this tank been set up?

[Swimfins]

Test your tap water as well. Do you have metal pipes. It could be rust.

I'd do a big water change 60% at least for sure. You need to gravel vac. Your substrate looks dirty. Good luck.

[BradleyUffner]

It's interesting that the white stuff on the sides only goes up to a specific point, and forms a nice line.

[Kasakato]

Is that stuff on the glass or in the water? And please TEST YOUR WATER.

[Beeker]

When I had orange water it was caused by a combination of cycling and overfeeding. (It was my first tank. Thank God Comets are hearty fish!) We can't know anything for sure until we see the numbers from your water tests.

[acefred]

Also take your had and grab some of the white is it what you thought it was or is it algae also?