White Cloudy Tank

M

milrtime

AC Members
Jan 20, 2009
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0
0
Gig Harbor, WA
Hello All,

Ugh, not really new to the aquarium world but I have been away from it for a few years.

I have a 20Gal tank setup approx 2 1/2 months now. Something happened and now it appears form all my research I have a bacterial bloom (White Cloud, can't even see the back of the tank). This has been going on for 1 week now and I can't seem to get a handle on it. I had 5 African Cichlids that were perfectly happy but 5 days ago 3 of them died.

So here are my current Settings:

PH 7.2
Ammonia: 8ppm (Ya very high)
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: Sorry I don't have this test kit yet but plan to pick one up Sat

I have tried the following for the last 4 days (took me a day to figure out once the fish died):

20% Partial water change treated with API Stress Coat Plus daily
adding Nutrafin Cycle with every change
adding API Ammo Lock with every change

Water seems to foam on top and has kind of a thick looking film on the surface. Sometimes smells like grass, sometimes no smell at all.

Filter is an Aqueon 30.

About the only thing I can think of that changed was I changed the filter media about 8/9 days ago and then 24-48 hours later poof there was a cloud then fish died.

Any tips or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
High nitrites and ammonia, among other things, are the cause of your fishy deaths. When you trashed your filter media (and thus a huge chunk of beneficial bacteria) a week ago you plunged your tank into a cycle. Since you have not done enough water changes to keep ammonia and nitrites at appropriate levels, dangerously high levels have resulted. Unless your cichlids are frys, I venture to guess your tank has a huge bioload. In order to keep the nitrites and ammonia at acceptable levels I expect you need to do multiple 50% water changes each day until your bacteria levels build back up.

Read this sticky on cycles in tanks:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

Don't throw out your filter media again. Search through some old posts here and you'll find all sorts of advice and tricks on better filters, filter media and methods for "cleaning your filter" without destroying too much bacteria.
 
I agree with ash, some large volume water changes to get the water to a liveable condition for the remainding fish. Sorry to hear about your deaths.
 
What is the ammonia reading on your tap water? How long has this tank been set up?

SOunds like not very long at all. Also curious about what exact fish you have in there...
 
Thanks for the advice.

So here is where I am a bit confused. My past aquariums had undergravel filters so I never had this style of filter before. It was my understanding that when the filter bag gets dirty (clogged and really greenish) after a 4-6 weeks I am supposed to replace it with a new one. That is exactly what happened the filter was clogged it the water was bypassing it so I replaced the filter bag.

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/009/11583.pdf - this is my filter I am using.

As for what type of fish just some I bought from the local pet store out of the generic "African Cichlids" tank. I avoided the Malawai type since I know their water conditions are different.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
8 ppm ammonia 5 ppm nitrtite with just about any fish = death. African cichlids are especially intollerant to even trace amounts. Time to start doing a series of water changes to get the ammonia down to .25 ppm and nitrite down to .10 ppm. I would also reccomend investing in an api master test kit.
 
When you tossed the media out, there went your bacteria. You should just rinse the media off in old tank water, maybe squeezing it a bit to unclog it. Unless it is falling apart, generally there isn't a need to replace it.
 
Ive had the same problem... Some sites say that it is a bacterial bloom (most of the time right), but it can just be minute particles floating in your tank... I would do a 1/3 water change every other day for a week and maybe buy some water clarifier. For the future buy a liquid test kit so people can help you more. :) :thm:



DONT BUY ANY MORE FISH UNTIL YOU FIX THIS


also, put fish in 1 at a time, dont buy more than 1 fish at a time and this will prevent future deaths =p

also... i agree with bishop, dont toss your media as it is what keeps your tank working... look up "biological filter" to learn more about why you should keep your filter media.
 
rbishop said:
When you tossed the media out, there went your bacteria. You should just rinse the media off in old tank water, maybe squeezing it a bit to unclog it. Unless it is falling apart, generally there isn't a need to replace it.
Click to expand...

OK, I understand don't throw out the media. The confusing part is the instructions on the filter say to change the filter every 4-6 weeks. After all I was just following instructions. I will do some research on this and come up with a better plan for next time.

In the mean time how long should it take? It has been more than 5 days since the fish died and still very cloudy.

Thanks again for all the tips.
 
milrtime said:
OK, I understand don't throw out the media. The confusing part is the instructions on the filter say to change the filter every 4-6 weeks. After all I was just following instructions.
Click to expand...

If you keep throwing them out, they keep making money :) Maybe I'm cynical, but I was making the same mistake until I came to this site and I really believe that a certain of the instruction to replace things is so they can sell the expensive replacements. I also found out here that you don't need to use charcoal - something else filter producers tend to leave out of their instructions.
 
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