QT tank cloudiness

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 24, 2017

Gweeds1980 said:
Fair enough. Totally understand that!

Are water changes worth it at this point?

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 24, 2017

This is what I'm dealing with.

Humblefish · Jul 24, 2017

@Breakthecycle2 That looks like bad bacterial blooms. Were any meds used in these QTs? Or possibly any die-off from those rocks?

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 24, 2017

Humblefish said:
@Breakthecycle2 That looks like bad bacterial blooms. Were any meds used in these QTs? Or possibly any die-off from those rocks?

No. The rocks have been in there for over a year. I used copper like 7 weeks ago, but nothing since.

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 28, 2017

So, I did a 30 gallon water change over the last two days and continued dosing MB7 and absolute no change. Should I be getting worried now?

Humblefish · Jul 28, 2017

Breakthecycle2 said:
Should I be getting worried now?

Are the fish breathing heavily? If they are still acting normal and eating fine, I wouldn't really worry about it.

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 28, 2017

Humblefish said:
Are the fish breathing heavily? If they are still acting normal and eating fine, I wouldn't really worry about it.

They do seem fine.

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 30, 2017

This issue has gotten much worse after water changes and probably the MB7. It is now almost completely "white".

Gweeds1980 · Jul 30, 2017

Ok, quit with the MB7. This is very odd... normally the bacteria in the MB7 will outcompete for whatever nutrient is feeding the bacteria already there and clear the water. For whatever reason it seems to have contributed to the cloudiness.

Do you have a pic of how it is now?

How are the fish? Still breathing normally?

Do you have an airstone?

Do you have UV?

Do you have a skimmer?

Here to help

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 30, 2017

Gweeds1980 said:
Ok, quit with the MB7. This is very odd... normally the bacteria in the MB7 will outcompete for whatever nutrient is feeding the bacteria already there and clear the water. For whatever reason it seems to have contributed to the cloudiness.

Do you have a pic of how it is now?

How are the fish? Still breathing normally?

Do you have an airstone?

Do you have UV?

Do you have a skimmer?

Here to help

I will get a pic tomorrow. I have a IF that has worked in the past and I stopped using it about a week ago because it wasn't helping. I just plugged it back in today. No change. I do not habe a skimmer. I have added a sponge filter about a week ago.

Gweeds1980 · Jul 30, 2017

How old is the lamp in the UV? It does make me wonder if it's not bacterial if MB7 and UV hasn't cleared it. What's your cal / mag / dkh and pH?

Breakthecycle2 · Aug 1, 2017

I changed the UV lamp today. It is very bad. Its worse then the picture I posted and I have not dosed MB 7 in at least 3 or 4 days. Im out of options if the new UV bulb doesn't work.

Brew12 · Aug 1, 2017

It does look like a bacterial bloom. How often do you clean out your HOB? Could you have any source of carbon getting into your tank? Burning candles, air freshener, carpet cleaner, brewing beer, paint, friends wearing way too much cologne?

Breakthecycle2 · Aug 1, 2017

Brew12 said:
It does look like a bacterial bloom. How often do you clean out your HOB? Could you have any source of carbon getting into your tank? Burning candles, air freshener, carpet cleaner, brewing beer, paint, friends wearing way too much cologne?

None. The thing is they are both now cloudy, with the smaller one not as bad..yet. I clean it out about once a month and just did maybe 5 weeks ago or sooner. I change the filter pads, usually every other week.

Brew12 · Aug 1, 2017

Breakthecycle2 said:
None. The thing is they are both now cloudy, with the smaller one not as bad..yet. I clean it out about once a month and just did maybe 5 weeks ago or sooner. I change the filter pads, usually every other week.

When I run an HOB on my QT system I wring out the sponge media under tap water every few days and give it a quick rinse in RODI before putting it back. The bacteria are very hardy and will survive just fine if you don't use hot water. And, they wont rinse away. I prefer this to changing the media. Waiting 2 weeks to do the maintenance could turn them into nitrate generators which will feed both algae and bacteria which could lead to a bloom. I recommend rinsing them every few days and see if that clears it up.

Breakthecycle2 · Aug 1, 2017

U

Brew12 said:
When I run an HOB on my QT system I wring out the sponge media under tap water every few days and give it a quick rinse in RODI before putting it back. The bacteria are very hardy and will survive just fine if you don't use hot water. And, they wont rinse away. I prefer this to changing the media. Waiting 2 weeks to do the maintenance could turn them into nitrate generators which will feed both algae and bacteria which could lead to a bloom. I recommend rinsing them every few days and see if that clears it up.

Under cold water?

Brew12 · Aug 1, 2017

Breakthecycle2 said:
U

Under cold water?

I use cool water but here in Alabama, the tap water is never really very cold. Bacteria are very durable so just don't go scalding hot or freezing cold. Try to get as much of the particulate out until the water runs fairly clear. The dip in in RODI, give it a squeeze or two to rinse the tap water out, and put it back in. If you use the mesh instead of a sponge, do it as close to the same way as possible.

Breakthecycle2 · Aug 1, 2017

Brew12 said:
I use cool water but here in Alabama, the tap water is never really very cold. Bacteria are very durable so just don't go scalding hot or freezing cold. Try to get as much of the particulate out until the water runs fairly clear. The dip in in RODI, give it a squeeze or two to rinse the tap water out, and put it back in. If you use the mesh instead of a sponge, do it as close to the same way as possible.

Ill give that a shot. I am also running carbon and purigen, as of a week ago. Should I take them out?