Please help Very Cloudy Water

smokey2957

AC Members
Jul 21, 2009
186
0
0
Burlington, Washington
This is a 46 gallon tank that has been established for two years, heavly planted. About two months ago I switched out my canister filter because it was leaking. I installed two hob bio wheel filters. The water got a little cloudy but seemed to be clearing up. About one month later I then installed a new canister filter with new filter media did not think to use the media out of the bio wheel ones. Then the water became real cloudy. Through other people on the forum I found out that I had a bacterial bloom and that I had thrown my tank into a new cycle. As of yesterday my water tests read Ammonia at 0, Nitrites at 0, Nitrates between 0-5, PH at 6.5. I am using the API liquid test kit just recently bought a new one. So I discontuned dosing my ferts. Started add Seachem Stability daily, doing a 10% water change daily. I have been dosing this for almost a week. Have added Seachem calarity twice now and it does not seem to be doing any good. Am I doing things right. Should I do a major water change. Please help I am getting really tired of looking at my fish through cloundy water. All the fish seem to be doing good no signs of distress or illness.
 
Will with readings of 0,0, 0-5 you aren't in a cycle. Even though I would think you were because anytime you switch a filter and throw away all the bio media your killing your colony and starting your cycle new. Which would cause a bacteria bloom in the water and make it all cloudy.

If it's not cycling and really is just algae or something you can get Micron pads for your filter. People say you can go to the craft store and just get white felt and cut that to size. The dense felt bad will remove even the tiniest of specs and make your water crisp again.
 
what is the bioload of the tank?


and have someone else test your water also,
 
Its not algae the water is clear when put in a clear container. And I have micron pads in the filter. Also have purigen in the filter. Bio load would be moderate to heavy. Why have someone else test the water when my kit is new and does not expire till 2016.
 
Just wait it out. Your params are good, fish ok, no big deal. I've used a powerhead with a quick filter & a UV filter to help but they're not really needed...just patience.
 
I already know that. I just need to know if what I have been doing is the right thing.

if you were cycling, you should be measuring ammonia or nitrite
 
AquariaCentral.com