Cloudy Water...Water Change or not?...also sick barb

[29gallonsteve]

I have been experiencing a bacteria bloom over the last week or so. I have milky white water in the tank right now. All of my levels (ammo, nitrite, nitrate) are normal.

I did a very stupid thing. I fed my fish a cube of Tubifex and never removed the un-eaten food. After changing the filters, I am left with a cloudy tank.

Any suggestions in reducing the duration of this bloom?


HELP!!! One of my Barbs has a red sore on its side...I am assuming it is because of a weakness in the immune system coupled with the increased volume of bacteria...any suggestions?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[ewok]

water changes would be good, and maybe treat the tank with something anti-bacterial. you sure the readings are "fine"? it sounds like you at least caused a mini cycle.......

i would do a big water change, maybe all the way to 50% if your tank water has been changed regularly and it won't be different enough to cause a shock. treat with melafix to begin with and if that doesnt help, maybe pennecillin (sp?).

good luck

might even be a good time to at least vacuum lightly too.....

edit: btw, personally i don't see one cube of tubifex being enuf to cause this, changing the filters on the other hand might have. watch the tank readings closely for now.