How do i clear cloudy water?

[leo12345]

Hey guys, so my tank has been super cloudy for the past 2-3 weeks and ive done everything i could think of to fix it, i put 2 new filter cartridges, did a sort of big water change, vacuumed some of the substrate, and changed my wave maker position in case it was blowing up substrate but nothing is working. All my parameters are fine but I’m useing api and api is api so it might be wrong. The only thing ive been doing out of the ordinary is keeping my light on too long. Any advice would be great.

 

[Bucs20fan]

Sounds like a bacterial bloom. You basically can reduce light period and wait them out. Make sure you have good aeration. If it really bothers you, a UV filter will fix it. Cheapest and probably highest reviewed for the aio ones is the green killing machine if you wanted an inexpensive UV to help.

 

[Derrick0580]

Might try a small amount of rox carbon

 

[tankstudy]

If you've done a few water changes and have water going thru carbon in the system, it's probably a bloom as stated above. Just hook up a UV sterilizer and it'll go away pretty quick.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Do you run carbon?

 

[leo12345]

Sounds like a bacterial bloom. You basically can reduce light period and wait them out. Make sure you have good aeration. If it really bothers you, a UV filter will fix it. Cheapest and probably highest reviewed for the aio ones is the green killing machine if you wanted an inexpensive UV to help.

It’s not green like alge its white, can alge be white sometimes

 

[leo12345]

Do you run carbon?

My filter cartridges have carbon in them.

 

[leo12345]

.

 

[Rmckoy]

More flow .
Reduce the light period . I’ve never used uv so can’t advise or recommend using it . But more flow worked . Turn power heads / wave makers up
Towards the surface , and increase mechanical filtration

you might have to change filters
More
Often

 

[Johnz]

How old is your tank? Definitely a bacteria bloom, more common in newer tanks. Either wait it out, it will eventually go away on its own, or add a uv sterilizer. Amazon and eBay have some with built in pumps for less than $100. Pretty common, but annoying none the less.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hey guys, so my tank has been super cloudy for the past 2-3 weeks and ive done everything i could think of to fix it, i put 2 new filter cartridges, did a sort of big water change, vacuumed some of the substrate, and changed my wave maker position in case it was blowing up substrate but nothing is working. All my parameters are fine but I’m useing api and api is api so it might be wrong. The only thing ive been doing out of the ordinary is keeping my light on too long. Any advice would be great.

You can try adding a flocculant or running a polishing filter. But I agree with the others that it sounds like a bacterial bloom that should pass with less light and more flow.

P.S. API tests are not unreliable when used correctly, they are just less precise than other test kits.

 

[Spare time]

Its a bacterial bloom. You need to find what decaying matter is feeding it (i.e. not rinsing or replacing filter pads at a minemum of weekly, decaying food sitting around, etc.)

A cheap uv sterilizer will clear it up fast. Don't buy those with an exposed bulb.

Make sure to have a TON of aeration (decent flow and surface agitation). These blooms can suffocate the tank inhabitants. Do NOT use a lid while the bloom is occuring

 

[leo12345]

Its a bacterial bloom. You need to find what decaying matter is feeding it (i.e. not rinsing or replacing filter pads at a minemum of weekly, decaying food sitting around, etc.)

A cheap uv sterilizer will clear it up fast. Don't buy those with an exposed bulb.

Make sure to have a TON of aeration (decent flow and surface agitation). These blooms can suffocate the tank inhabitants. Do NOT use a lid while the bloom is occuring

Can bacteria blooms be white because its white?

 

[Dan_P]

Hey guys, so my tank has been super cloudy for the past 2-3 weeks and ive done everything i could think of to fix it, i put 2 new filter cartridges, did a sort of big water change, vacuumed some of the substrate, and changed my wave maker position in case it was blowing up substrate but nothing is working. All my parameters are fine but I’m useing api and api is api so it might be wrong. The only thing ive been doing out of the ordinary is keeping my light on too long. Any advice would be great.

Sounds like bacteria growth.

I am guessing it is a brand new aquarium. Unless it is totally obnoxious, ignore it.

 

[meermann]

If it's bacterial bloom - it will be finished after either carbon sources (not granulated activated carbon) or nitrogen sources or phosphorous source fallen down to zero. Just wait for a while. No food for bacteria - no further growth, your skimmer removes the remains.
If it caused by particles in the water column, you can use either flocking agents (e.g. KZ Coral Snow, Brightwell Clarifi-SW etc.) to precipitate those particles. Another option - fine mechanical filter e.g. fleece roll or (maybe) socks.

 

[Spare time]

Can bacteria blooms be white because its white?

Yes. The more bacteria, the more foggy or milky it becomes

 

[leo12345]

If it's bacterial bloom - it will be finished after either carbon sources (not granulated activated carbon) or nitrogen sources or phosphorous source fallen down to zero. Just wait for a while. No food for bacteria - no further growth, your skimmer removes the remains.
If it caused by particles in the water column, you can use either flocking agents (e.g. KZ Coral Snow, Brightwell Clarifi-SW etc.) to precipitate those particles. Another option - fine mechanical filter e.g. fleece roll or (maybe) socks.

I dont have a skimmer, will my filter remove them or do i need to do something else?

 

[meermann]

I dont have a skimmer, will my filter remove them or do i need to do something else?

Hard to say. I believe my fleece filter removes some bacteria because the fleece becomes slippery a bit, I guess it's covered with a bacterial mat.

In your case perhaps you aren't able to just remove the cartridge because of biological filtration. But if you are, you could rinse it thoroughly in pure water and that's it.