Why do my water changes, always cause a 12-18-hour cloudy Algae Blooms EVERTIME

[Damon0306]

Was just curious as to why my aquarium goes through a 12-18-hour cloudy Algae Bloom every single time I do my 50% water change.

I vacum the gravel slightly and try not to disturb anything but it happens evertime.

I do the 50% change every 2-days. I do not touch the filters, in-fact I keep the filters going as I do the change.

I am starting to dread water changes, only because I know my tank will turn cloudy for the remaining part of the day.

The 50% change might be a little aggressive but I want to keep my single Green Terror happy and healthy.

[luminomics]

a 50 every 2 days is way over doing it you could cut back to 50 every two weeks. Have you tested your water for phosphates

[rrkss]

Next water change give your substrate a good gravel vacuum. I mean really dig into the gravel with your siphon. I am sure you will find out the reason for cloudy water.

[Roan Art]

I'm wondering if your biofilter is not being compromised by the water changes -- what has your testing told you before and after waterchanges -- Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates? Are you using a dechlorinator?

What size tank is your Green Terror in?

Roan

[anonapersona]

If you have chloramines in your water and used a water conditioner that says "treats chloramine" but does not also say "treats ammonia" then the ammonia released from the chloramine might be disturbing the filter.

[abraham]

I'm wondering if your biofilter is not being compromised by the water changes


That's what I'd think... Slow down on the water changes. Also, check the water you are using for phosphate. high phosphate = problems.

Abraham

[Sully]

the bio filter won't influence an algae bloom after a water change. The bio-filter is comprised of denitrifying bacteria. A healthy bio filter will also usually handle the temporary spike of the nominal amount of ammonia released as the chloramine bond is broken.

Is it a whitish cloud or a green cloud? if it really is the greenish cloud do the thorough gravel vacs suggested above. If it is really a whitish cloud then it would probably be either a bloom of bacteria that acts like natures janitor (a different type of heterotrophic aerobic bacteria than that found in the "bio filter") that feeds on decaying organic matter. Basically tank cleaning bacteria. Or, a calcium predipitate.


And, 50% every couple of days is not pushing it. You usually find that if all other things are equal your fish will grow faster with that type of frequency and volume of water changes. Freshwater fish love freshwater.

[msouth468]

Well, if it is a whitish cloud. It may just be really hard water. If you live in the country and have a well. Then that is probably what it is. If you live in the city just call and ask your water company for a report on water quality. They have to by law give you a report on the quality of the water they send you. It is a good way to see the amounts of chemicals and biological elements in your water.

[Damon0306]

Thanks for the input guys, it is a white colored cloud, and its always clears after a few hours.

The tank itself is very clean including the gravel which is always vacumed, since my GT makes a lot of waste.

I was suspecting it was the dechlorinator I was using.

I switched to Prime as I heard so much about this product.

I also switched to 25% change every 2-3 days and so far everthing looks good.

No more white cloudy blooms.

[abraham]

Alright! :dance2:

Abraham