QT tank cloudy

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 2, 2015

No matter how many water changes I do, the water/glass is always cloudy for the last two weeks. I only have a HOB and no light. I have a powerhead aimed at the surface. The only other thing in it is PVC pipes. Any ideas?

melypr1985 · Nov 2, 2015

bacterial bloom? Not sure what to do about it, but that's my what my gut says.

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 2, 2015

I was thinking that, but it's been up and running for 3 months now.

melypr1985 · Nov 2, 2015

From what i understand on the subject, a bacterial bloom that makes the tank cloudy is a population boom in free swimming bacteria (which is the wrong kind for nitrification i believe). So those free swimming bacteria are out competing the other bacteria. Again, I'm not totally sure what to do about it, or even if I'm right.

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

melypr1985 said:
bacterial bloom? Not sure what to do about it, but that's my what my gut says.

Breakthecycle2 said:
I was thinking that, but it's been up and running for 3 months now.

+1 @melypr. @breakthecycle- my brother in laws aggressive tank did this multiple times until he figured out the problem

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

Is is white cloudy water?

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 2, 2015

cameronh said:
Is is white cloudy water?

Yes it is.

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

What's the ammonia levels? All I can think of is nitrifying bacteria feeding off the ammonia and producing more and more. Happened to my native tank a few months back. But a 75% water change cleared it right up. How many times did you do a water change and how much at a time?

bigdeb · Nov 2, 2015

I am having the same problem. My tank is also 3mo old. Wish I knew what to do

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

Do you have a bubbler in the tank?

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 2, 2015

No I don't. Just a HOB and powerhead.

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
No I don't. Just a HOB and powerhead.

Water change info?

bigdeb · Nov 2, 2015

No I don't either

bigdeb · Nov 2, 2015

My tank is 36gal. I do a 15% every two weeks

cameronh · Nov 2, 2015

bigdeb said:
My tank is 36gal. I do a 15% every two weeks

I hear an air bubbler can help remove toxic gases from the water and the extra oxygen can help nitrifying bacteria process ammonia better......If I'm not mistaken. I would also up your water changes to every week and maybe a little more than 15%. But then again, I'm not quite to sure what's causing your bloom.