Cloudy Water

[Pootspete]

What Are Some Of The Causes of Cloudiness in the water?

Thanks.

[morleyz]

Probably the 2 most common causes are bacteria and algae blooms. Bacterial blooms tend to give the water a white/grayish cloud. Algae would be green.

Some other causes could be, in a new tank if the gravel wasn't thoroughly washed, the fine dust in the gravel will settle to the bottom of the tank and can be kicked up by fish, cleaning, etc. Also, if you filter is not able to filter very small particulate but keeps the current high enough to no allow it to settle you'll get some cloudiness.

I'm sure there are many more reasons, but those are the ones I have off the top of my head.

[Pootspete]

Thanks for the advice morleyz. I have had this chalky color in my tank for over 2 1/2 weeks now and tried everything. The 20 gallon tank is fully cycled, my readings are normal on all accounts and has been up and running for close to 6 months with Tiger Barbs living in it. I like the idea of slowing down my water flow in order to give the fine particulars a chance to settle. Hopefully, that will do it!:cool:

[MoJo]

There is a product that you can use to reduce cloudy water if it is an ongoing problem. Another solution would be to use a filter pad calle "polysorb". It's a little pricey, but does an excellent job at removing fine particles from the water.

[Pootspete]

Thanks MoJo, I will look into that too!

[JSchmidt]

I'd wonder why particulates would suddenly decide to become suspended and cloud up your water... more likely, I think, is that you have a bloom of some of the normal flora microorganisms that inhabit our tanks. It is not uncommon, even in mature tanks, for the populations of these to become unbalanced, resulting in a bloom that looks like white, cloudy water. If you've used any meds, switched dechlorinators, or something similar, I'd suspect this sort of bloom as responsible for your white water.

I've never found anything but time to make much of a difference in clearing up this type of white water. You can try to filter out the organisms, but they tend to rebound unless you use micron filtration perpetually.

If you have reason to suspect suspended particulates, the advice you're rec'd here is the way to go. If there is no reason to suspect that, though (and assuming other water quality parameters are OK), I'd just sit and wait for several weeks and I bet it clears up.

HTH,
Jim

[Pootspete]

Thanks to you too JS. A while back in my 15 gallon I also encountered the white cloudy tank and I did just what you say to do wait it out. And it took close to a month, but yes, it did go away. I am just impatient and just need to probably wait things out but keep everyone's suggestions in mind!:)

[Turbo]

You say that your levels are normal? Did you check ammonia. I understand that you say your tank is balanced but overfeeding can cause the water to cloud up and it doesnt take long to do it. Trust me...I used to do it alot :) Try doing regular water changes for a little while maybe 25% twice a week. It should clear up. This trick worked for me. Also if it is ammonia you can add white diamond chips to your filter and that quickly takes care of that. That is if you dont want to wait any longer to have a crystal clear tank. I know where you are coming from....I dont have patience either. :D

[NJ Devils Fan]

If regular water changes are just not working, you might want to try Acural F 25, it's works great.
C:\My Documents\My Pictures\acuralF25.jpg

Within 2 to 3 days, your water will be crystal clear.

[wetmanNY]

A quart of clear water from a plant nursery tank will help reset the balance of protist plankton ("infusoria") that cause these problems, which we usually ascribe to bacteria. Patience works too!

Some pH adjusters can cloud up in very alkaline water, I'm told...

[Pootspete]

Wow, again thanks for all the advice I got on this topic, it really helps.:)

[NJ Devils Fan]

well, how is your water now?

[O-man21]

It should be better if you do what we said

[TnCgal]

O-man,

You have a private message. Thanks. :)

[TnCgal]

Pootspete,

I'm going to move this thread over to the General FW forum since this is not directly a beginner's question ! :)

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by wetmanNY
A quart of clear water from a plant nursery tank will help reset the balance of protist plankton ("infusoria") that cause these problems, which we usually ascribe to bacteria. Patience works too!

Nothing, not even patience would get rid of the slight cloudiness I used to have in my aquarium. I heard how great Vortex diatom filters are, and I had to get one. And it's true - great filter! It got the water crystal clear in hardly anytime at all.. That was before I went to R/O D/I water. I still use the Vortex, after water changes. I highly recommend this filter.

[Pootspete]

Just to let you guys know, after I posted this topic, two days later my tank finally cleared up. Took nearly four weeks to do this, but I was glad when I could finally see through my tank.

Again, thank you to all for your different perspectives on clearing up a tank. I learned a lot!