cloudy Discus tank

[pmwoodward]

Hi,

I have a 2 year old 38 gallon Discus tank with 3 mid-sized Discus. I had to remove my Pl%co because he developed a bad habit of sucking on the Discus. With the lack of the Pl%co, quite a bit of algae was building up on the tank ( I had intended on getting another Pl%co, but never did for awhile). I finally scrubbed it down, then immediately did a water change. The tank has been cloudy ever since. The following week I did a 50% water change and put in new filter pads. It helped just a little at first, then not at all. I have since added 3 small Pl%cos. The water has a green tint to it. I also added a second power filter to no avail. What ever is making the water cloudy is not being filtered. It is so bad that I can barely see the back of the tank. In the past it had always been perfectly clear.

I appriciate any suggestions.

thanks, Paul

 

[Raf]

test your tap water, then test the tank's water.

What filters do you use?

 

[pmwoodward]

Hi Raf,

what should I be testing the tap water for?

I have several other tanks, both fresh and salt. This is the only tank with a problem.

I am using a BioWheel 330 and an AuqaClear 500 filters. the Aquaclear 500 was added recently.

thanks, Paul

 

[Raf]

In some areas, tap water can show ammonia readings. However, If your other tanks are doing fine, I would generally rule this out.

Did you do any filter maintenance that may have killed off any bacteria? Is the biowheel still working properly?

 

[pmwoodward]

I did not do anything prior to the problem except to scrub the tank to dislodge the algae. The cloudy water started immediately afterwards.

 

[sumoschro]

do a water change and keep the light off for longer periods of time, green algae needs light to thrive, and if that doesnt work i guess maybe feed your fish less which will eventually lower excess nutrients in the water that the algae might be feeding on.

 

[pmwoodward]

sumoschro,

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense. I'll leave the light on for half the time I currently do. I'll also do another 50% water change and vaccum the heck out of the gravel again.

I am hoping that the presence of the Pl%cos will also eventually help.

Paul

 

[JesseJ]

Algae Eaters for Discus

Another fish you could try instead of a pleco would be a group of ottocinclus. They stay about 2 inches long and are peaceful. I haven't heard of them ever sucking the slime off of discus.

 

[125gJoe]

I have had success with SAE's...

Green water sounds like too many nutrients (over feeding) and too much light.