Cloudy water

[bttay]

My 4 ft tank is having cloudy water for 2 weeks after I inserted 2 fine filter media into the canister filter. It gets worse everyday. Any possible reason beside bacteria boom (which I think is unlikely)?

[|squee|]

You didn't replace the fliter media right?

If so, take out the sponges and give them a wash. There may be residue on them that's cauing the problem.

[bttay]

[quote:3012b68296="|squee|"]You didn't replace the fliter media right?

If so, take out the sponges and give them a wash. There may be residue on them that's cauing the problem.[/quote:3012b68296]

The two filter media I inserted two weeks ago were new.

[|squee|]

Yea, because some media somehow contains dust/dirt/residue from the manufacturing process. Give them a wash and see how.

[bttay]

[quote:04da1ff0ea="|squee|"]Yea, because some media somehow contains dust/dirt/residue from the manufacturing process. Give them a wash and see how. [/quote:04da1ff0ea]

Ok. Will try that. Thanks.

[bttay]

The problem comes back!

Usually the first two days just after a water change, the tank was crytal clear. From the third day onwards, it starts to get cloudy by the end of a week, I could hardly see anything at the other side of the tank. The fish are ok anyway.

Could anyone help please.

[bclee]

I think it is a bacteria bloom. It happens sometimes after you change new filter media or washed the media.

I don't really know what to do with it. :P I only had it once and did not successfully get rid of it until I did a 100% water change (I was new and impatient then. :P )

Maybe, you can cut the feeding and let the bacteria colony mature and settle on the filter media.

BC

[bttay]

Thanks bclee,

Just realized that it's GREEN WATER!
Trying my best to work on it now

[vinz]

Did you replace any of the old media? Did you wash the old media with tap water? What media is in your filter?

Green water or bacteria bloom usually means that the filter bacteria is not enough. IME, frequent water change to solve this problem is sometimes detrimental as the chlorine/chloramine might kill off some of the bacteria. Use anti-chlorine/chloramine when you change water. Add it before you top up the tank.

[juggler]

[quote:85ffb90537="bttay"]
The two filter media I inserted two weeks ago were new.[/quote:85ffb90537]

From http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cloudywt.htm there's some tips/explanations:

Bacterial bloom
This appears as a greyish haze in the water. It is due to the explosive growth of bacteria, usually in a newly setup tank. It occurs because the bacterial population of the tank is not in balance with the level of waste nutrients. This will usually sort itself out as the tank matures - it should disappear more quickly if partial water changes (say 20%) are performed. Also, avoid overfeeding (very important in a new tank), to help reduce the waste levels. Remove any uneaten food, decaying plant matter, etc. Note that the bacterial bloom will not cause any harm to the fish. 

Green water/floating algae
This problem will appear as a thick green cloud in the water, and can become so bad that it becomes impossible to see the fish - however, it will not do them any direct harm. 
To help combat this problem: 

Avoid direct sunlight falling on the tank. 
Do not leave lighting on for more than 12 hours a day. Longer periods will tend to boost algae growth, rather than promote plant growth. 
Minimise nutrient levels with frequent partial water changes. 
Sometimes, a series of larger (about 30-40%) water changes every few days will cause this problem to disappear. Ultra-violet (UV) sterilisers as part of the filtration system will also destroy floating algae cells, as well as disease organisms. Another short term solution is to use a Diatom filter, which can remove very fine particles from the water and should cure the immediate problem. However, remember that the root cause (usually too much light/excess nutrients), needs to be tackled to prevent it returning.

For me, I have never replaced filter media since day 1. All I do is give it a rinse (in a pail of old tank water, never tap water!) every 3 months or so.

[David]

Hi Juggler

Changing of the filter medium (the fine wool) is needed if it is choked full of muck.....the bacterial is housed in the rock thingy.....but the rock medium can expire too once it gets choked.

[BFG]

I am also experiencing cloudy water. My case was I did not clean my filter for about 5 month. The filter media was changed to new ones because it was already 2 years old. The problem still persist. Even after massive 70% water change, the water turn back cloudy. Does excessive co2 cause this? Trying to kill bba with high co2 input. Plants are bubbling though.

[|squee|]

[quote:e8e738fb="BFG"]I am also experiencing cloudy water. My case was I did not clean my filter for about 5 month. The filter media was changed to new ones because it was already 2 years old. The problem still persist. Even after massive 70% water change, the water turn back cloudy. Does excessive co2 cause this? Trying to kill bba with high co2 input. Plants are bubbling though.[/quote:e8e738fb]

I believe your case is a bacterial bloom; you shouldn't have changed the entire fliter media.

Give it some time... it'll clear up by itself once the BB settles in.

[PeterGwee]

[quote:c8b1c1fb7a="BFG"]I am also experiencing cloudy water. My case was I did not clean my filter for about 5 month. The filter media was changed to new ones because it was already 2 years old. The problem still persist. Even after massive 70% water change, the water turn back cloudy. Does excessive co2 cause this? Trying to kill bba with high co2 input. Plants are bubbling though.[/quote:c8b1c1fb7a]

95% of BBA issues is with CO2 but not always the case though. If the plants were stunted for some reasons, they make good substrates for algae.

CO2 (They need to be stable during the photoperiod. The less the flux of the pH during the photoperiod, the better and more stable the CO2 is. That is what you want to achieve..not from low to very high or vice versa.)

Regards
Peter Gwee