Persistent cloudy water on matured tank

[chek]

My 3-year old tank has persistent chalky water for more than a month now as i had increased its bio-load substantially (had a adopt a friend's cardinals and cherry shrimps) and cleaned the filter media shortly after (mistake). The water started turning cloudy shortly which I suspect is a bacteria bloom. Have been keeping up with water change, feeding less and added a UV filter 2 days ago but the cloudiness has not gone away. The fishes seemed alright so far but the cloudiness persists. fyi, My current 3-yr old filter is also getting old and is cycling slower than before which probably add to the problem. What else should i do? Removing the fishes is a last resort. Since my filter is old, will changing to a new filter help solve the problem? Will remove the old filter only after the filter media in the new one is fully cycled.

[stormhawk]

May I ask, what size is this tank, what fauna is in it, and what is the filter and media that you are using for this tank. Cloudiness usually does not last longer than a week or so, if everything else is in order.

[chek]

Tank size 90x45x45,appro 150l, mostly tetras and lots of shrimps. Must say the Bio load now is pretty heavy and more than what i would put in a tank this size. Heavily planted. Filter is a Tetra Exposed 80 filled with bio rings, sponge, ceramic rings and activated carbon. tank has been stabilized with clear water after initial setup.

[stormhawk]

You can probably run another filter off this tank to help with the bio load. I think that's probably the best option for you at the moment.

[tetrakid]

I think overloading the tank with fish is the most common practice of aquarists everywhere. If one likes to keep a lot of fish, it is necesaary to get a bigger tank, the bigger the better.

But for a small tank, more filtration also means more water agitation by the additional currents, since basic filters are usually used for small tanks.

[stormhawk]

Well, his over-stocking was not by choice, but by circumstance, and he did a good deed in giving those fish a new home.

[vinz]

If you intend get a new filter, just use half of the old media in the new filter. The only new media in the new filter should be the filter pads. Half the ceramic rings and sintered glass media should be from the old tank.

Make sure you rinse the old media in tank water only before transferring to new filter. Fresh water will kill the bacteria. Also keep away from direct sunlight.

There's also a possibility that your filter is too small (ie not enough media) or the old media is too clogged to host more bacteria.

[tetrakid]

Yes, I can understand. Once I had one too many barbs in my tank and I wanted to get rid of the biggest one to achieve the right balance. But that was a bit hard to do, since it pains the heart to part with it. After a while, one gets attached to one's little friends which one have been feeding everyday.

But on the other hand, it is in a way cruel to overcrowd a tank and make their home unbearable to live in.

Well, his over-stocking was not by choice, but by circumstance, and he did a good deed in giving those fish a new home.

[chek]

Thks. Intent to switch to a larger filter, looking at the eheim pro. Will take advice on the filter media.

[tetrakid]

Using strong filters in a small tank causes excessive currents within the tank.

I have seen some tanks in which the fish inside are highly stressed in strong currents. They have no chance to live a comfortable life in their tank habitat. Instead, they spend their lives swimming against the vertical and horzontal currents. Imagine a human being forced to run on a threadmill the whole day and you'll get the idea. I always pity those poor little fishes.

Thks. Intent to switch to a larger filter, looking at the eheim pro. Will take advice on the filter media.

[chek]

New filter works wonders, water is now crystal clear sacred 1day. Will keep running the old filter for a couple more weeks b4 removing it.