White Cloudy Water
White cloudiness is a result of a
bacteria bloom.
Sometimes the cleaning of all filters at once, or the changing of the gravel can trigger a bacteria bloom, due to the removal of bacterial colonies that had settled on the filter media or substrate. Another cause can be
medical treatment of the tank using antibiotics, which may destroy these colonies.
The
bacteria are either re-establishing themselves, or are feasting on high nutrients.
In nutrient rich water they can multiply at such a high rate that the water becomes cloudy white.
A bacteria bloom is cause for concern:
Bacteria need
oxygen. A few grams of bacteria consume about the same amount as an adult human, again posing a threat of de-oxygenation in the aquarium. Immediate action is required if the problem is severe, or persists.
Once again the focus should be on
nutrient control. Eliminating excess nutrients will starve the unneeded bacteria colonies resulting in a clearing of the water. A UV-Filter may be somewhat effective, as it kills bacteria. Nevertheless, the problem of high nutrients will not be fixed this way. Therefore the nutrients have to be lowered through water changes and the use of products such as
Algone.
It is also advisable to check on ammonia during the period of a bacteria bloom, as
ammonia may rise to dangerous levels.
In a salt-water aquarium, the
protein skimmer usually helps to prevent and cure a bacteria bloom, as the bacteria are removed as "particles". Make sure the skimmer works properly when a bacteria bloom arises.
A severe bloom can create an oily film and enough foam-depressing agents to make a skimmer go flat (no foam no function). This has to be taken very seriously. Despite oxygen depletion
ammonia gets more toxic at higher
pH levels, which is characteristic for salt-water environments.
It is therefore vital to make the skimmer work again. An oxidation agent such as potassium permanganate can be used. Diluted and used sparingly (1% and only added in the low ml region) will oxidize enough fat that can be picked up by the skimmer, thus jump starting the system.
i just found this maybe since you added your sump and all that good stuff it couldve started a bacteria bloom??