Cloudy Water

[xpro]

Right...my 1st ever question here.... :wacko:

Just reset up my aquarium. Bought some white 30mm River stone pebbles for base. washed the wretched things for hours until the water was clear as per usual.
Added to tank and did the usual again, (arranging plants, rocks etc.) After the water had been added (with ager) and temp had stabilised at appx 25c it then became cloudy with a milky look. It gradually lessened but the rear of the tank is still indistinct throught the haze. Tried changing the water (about 25%) but it still prevails.
I'm in Fremantle which is known for high calcium and fluoride but Iv'e never had this problem before. By the way, the tank WAS clean!

Any help would be appreciated to prevent me re-doing the whole lot again!! (Poor fish)!

[Marc]

What filtration and filter media are you using xpro? (and welcome!) :)

[xpro]

What filtration and filter media are you using xpro? (and welcome!) :)[/b]

Thanks for wecome Marc!

Right, I'm using Aqua One CarboPad with ditto ZeoPad (latter is a new one I'm trying for removal (if necessary) reduction of Ammonia levels. Usually use a debris pad instead of the Ammonia. Just thought I'd try it....... :blush: Oh yes, I'm using an under gravel filter too! Nearly forgot that one!!! The tank hold approx 70 litres.

The water seems to be clearing slowly but I've never had to wait for over a week!! (Just been glaring at it)!! :wacko:

[GoGuppy]

Thanks for wecome Marc!

Right, I'm using Aqua One CarboPad with ditto ZeoPad (latter is a new one I'm trying for removal (if necessary) reduction of Ammonia levels. Usually use a debris pad instead of the Ammonia. Just thought I'd try it....... :blush: Oh yes, I'm using an under gravel filter too! Nearly forgot that one!!! The tank hold approx 70 litres.

The water seems to be clearing slowly but I've never had to wait for over a week!! (Just been glaring at it)!! :wacko:[/b]
Hi xpro

Maybe this just happens when you change the substrate!!

I have just set up my new 240 L tank last weekend with new substrate (Dupla Ground, which is reddish brown and washed it several times before placing this into the tank), but I'm re-using the bio media from my old filter, as well as some of the plants and most of the old water from my old 80 L tank.

My tank water is now also slightly cloudy, but not as bad as yours, as I can clearly see the back of the tank. The water is not reddish, as you would expect from the substrate, but slightly whitish, possibly this is silt that may have been sucked up from the bottom of the old substrate into the bio filter media.

At the moment, I have a Fluval 304 filter with bio media running, as well as an old Fluval 203 filter with mainly glass wool and a small internal filter that is also fitted with glass wool running. The last two filters are only temporary with the main aim of clearing up the milky haze in the water. The filters have been running since Saturday arvo, I'm about to go home now and hopefully it'll all be cleared up..... :biggrin: .

Cheers

[GoGuppy]

Just an update. I got home and found that the water had cleared up more and now only probably has less than about a 5% cloudiness, well that's what I reckon anyway.

I'll leave the water circulating through all the filters till the end of the week by which time the water should be crystal clear (fingers crossed....).

I'd say Xpro hang in there mate and over time your tank should also clear up OK.

Just make sure you have plenty of filter floss in your filter.

Good luck, cheers

[xpro]

Just an update. I got home and found that the water had cleared up more and now only probably has less than about a 5% cloudiness, well that's what I reckon anyway.

I'll leave the water circulating through all the filters till the end of the week by which time the water should be crystal clear (fingers crossed....).

I'd say Xpro hang in there mate and over time your tank should also clear up OK.

Just make sure you have plenty of filter floss in your filter.

Good luck, cheers[/b]

[xpro]

Just an update. I got home and found that the water had cleared up more and now only probably has less than about a 5% cloudiness, well that's what I reckon anyway.

I'll leave the water circulating through all the filters till the end of the week by which time the water should be crystal clear (fingers crossed....).

I'd say Xpro hang in there mate and over time your tank should also clear up OK.

Just make sure you have plenty of filter floss in your filter.

Good luck, cheers[/b]

Thanks for that!!
Well, as you have read my filter has been running for over a week now with a little clearing. I have contacted the supplier of the pebbles to see if in fact they ARE suitable to use in aquariums. Still awating a reply. One good thing is that the fish don't seem to mind! Iv'e changed the filter medium several times so far. Time will tell I hope!!

Hope yours clears soon too!!

[Aussie]

Just do a small water change each week until clear mate. Maybe your not running enough filtration?? All i know is get rid of the UG filter!!! it's an Ammonia factory all it does is pull all the rubbish to the bottom, so basically if your going to keep that, there is almost no point for any other filter as the crap will barely get off the bottom.

[xpro]

Thanks for that!!
Well, as you have read my filter has been running for over a week now with a little clearing. I have contacted the supplier of the pebbles to see if in fact they ARE suitable to use in aquariums. Still awating a reply. One good thing is that the fish don't seem to mind! Iv'e changed the filter medium several times so far. Time will tell I hope!!

Hope yours clears soon too!![/b]

[xpro]

Well, 10 days have elapsed since commenting on my cloudy water episode.
Since then I have contacted the suppliers of the white pebbles (so called) - NO reply, (Not surprised in this day and age). SOoooo, bought another brand of same but smaller (appx 2-3 mm) and was assured that these WERE natural washed, not painted as I found out later with the original stone!
Hence, did the usual washing and cleaning today and Lo and behold....a crytal clear tank!!!.... :biggrin: . Still using the previous filtration pads, (for a couple of days before changing anyway). One thing, I am so far, lucky in not loosing any fish with a complete water change!
This goes to prove that one has to be extreemly wary as to where one shops and taking advice and sales spleel with a grain of salt!!!

Thank goodness for site like this!!!

Hope your tank is okay too!!

[wombat1100]

Did you do a complete water change? all at once, and change the substrate?
if yes when did you do it, u will get a ammonia and nitite spike shortly after that and your fish will die if your not lucky.
the tank needs to be cycled
let us know
Dazz

[xpro]

Did you do a complete water change? all at once, and change the substrate?
if yes when did you do it, u will get a ammonia and nitite spike shortly after that and your fish will die if your not lucky.
the tank needs to be cycled
let us know
Dazz[/b]

[xpro]

Well, I did all that but I let the water stand for a few hours and then added the fish. I'm pleased to say that they all seem to be surviving well. Actually, they are acting more like chidlren! :biggrin:

I have checked the nitrate and ammonia and all seems to be well!

Luck of the Irish I think! (Not that I am either)!!!

Thank you Dazz for your comments.

xpro.

[wombat1100]

Well thats a good thing Xpro, maybe you are lucky!
has it all cleared up now mate?
@ Aussie, I have a tank with an UG filter and also a external cannister filter, if you do substrate vacuuming and your reg water changes they are no problem at all i have found, in fact i am really slack wen it comes to doing my water changes and cleaning!!
my waters crystal clear and i have a very happy tank!
Dazz

[xpro]

Well thats a good thing Xpro, maybe you are lucky!
has it all cleared up now mate?
@ Aussie, I have a tank with an UG filter and also a external cannister filter, if you do substrate vacuuming and your reg water changes they are no problem at all i have found, in fact i am really slack wen it comes to doing my water changes and cleaning!!
my waters crystal clear and i have a very happy tank!
Dazz[/b]

[xpro]

Hi there Dazz.

Yers...I think I must be lucky!

The water is not absolutley crystal clear as yet but as each day seems to be an improvement!

After your comment re that you have an exterior filter too, I might consider adding one to aleviate my wife's groaning that "You doing it again"??? Any suggestions as to what might be a good unit? Although, like you, my tank's occupants seem to quite happy. It's just that I like a REALLY clear tank.

Thanks for your repy too!

Brrr! It's freezing here today (Fremantle), the fish are warmer than us!!!

xpro.