Dirty water...

[nkthen]

My water tends to get dirty pretty fast. When I mean dirty, I mean that I see dirt that is collected on my white top-most filter.

The water is obviously darker without me adding any dark water solution.

I asked around and people has been giving me the following problems:
1) Too many fishes
I have about 50+ tetras in my 18.9" x 19.7" x 19.6", 24 galleon tank. They say it's too many fishes and it can cause the water to be dirty real fast.

2) Did not clear the waste at the gravel
One mentioned that I did not clean the gravel and the dirty in the gravel can cause the water to be dirty. Mine gravel are very small, reddish stones and it is too light to be cleaned with my water pipe

3) Fed too often
One recommended me to feed the fishes once every 4 days to see the difference. Some said that just feed very little once a day if they are a little hungry

4) Filter not powerful enough
Mine is JBJ NanoCube and I do have enough filter stones.

5) Water not matured enough, need matured PSB Bacteria
One LFS said that I need to have enough PSB Bacteria and it can only be achieve with matured water. He recommend that I change the water once every 7 days and add PSB Bacteria solution. He said that this is the best way.

So, what's your conclusion? Is it a combination of various reasons, or it's all of the above?

I intend to make a 50% water change tomorrow and I'll try to see if I can clean the gravel. If not, I'll just change the water, add PSD Bacteria and stop feeding for 3-4 days.

Will that be enough?

[|squee|]

You have driftwood in your tank? It will be causing the dark stain in your water, konwn as tannins. You can think of the driftwood as leeching out "sap" that colours the water. It's natural.

Is your tank planted? Dirt is normal in a filter. Just change the sponge regularly. If you mean that the sponge gets clogged up too quickly, then yes, you're probably feeding your fish too much/too many fish that contributes to the high wasteload.

[nkthen]

I don't have driftwood.

If dirt is normal, that's OK. Maybe I feed them too often.

Will additional filter help? I was looking at some filters that submerge totally into water and it produces bubbles at the same time.