Cloudy Water

[mcrawforth]

My tank has always been very very clear. However, the other day it was cloudy and I put some 'water clear' in and it has been cloudy ever since. I have changed the water about 3 times. I'm not sure why it won't stop being cloudy...

[Little Embers]

Could be a bacterial bloom if it is a whitish type of cloudiness. How long has the tank been established mcrawforth and which one is it (is it one of the ones in your sign.)? May also be an algae bloom.

I would first check your water parameters just to make sure they are OK.
Did you add any new fish which may have increased the bio-load?
How often do you rinse out the filter media? it may be clogged.
How often do you syphon the gravel?
How big of a water change did you do each time?

Sometimes doing too many water changes for cloudy water (depending on the cause) can make it last a lot longer. If it is a bacterial bloom, often they clear up on their own, once the bacteria has stabilised again. I often find it best not to use those "water clear" chemicals as they may not solve the underlying problem. I would cut back on feeding to every 2nd or 3rd day while the tank is cloudy...you may be overfeeding.

[gm72]

Which tank is this? I am assuming the 55? What are the water parameters at least for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte?

[mcrawforth]

It is both my 55ga and my 26ga (did NOT put water clear in my 26)

I would first check your water parameters just to make sure they are OK.
believe it or not i have never tested my water.

Did you add any new fish which may have increased the bio-load?
No I haven't. It's actually been the longest period of time since I haven't added fish since I've had the tank (about 4 years) Because I know how to take care of a tank now lol

How often do you rinse out the filter media? it may be clogged.
Every 4-6 weeks however, I went to change out the filters yesterday and they were extremely clean.


How often do you syphon the gravel
about every 4-5 days. But only about 30% of the gravel

How big of a water change did you do each time?
about 25%

[thrakuarium]

With no water test readings it would be hard to figure out if you have any imbalance from the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You have cloudy water in 2 tanks following a water change in both tanks? That would lead me to think that something in the water you added or in the bucket you used caused the cloudiness. I personally never use any water clearing agents because I think it just covers up a problem instead of actually fixing it. This might be a good time to test the water to make sure the source of the cloudiness isnt dangerous to your fish.

[gm72]

I personally never use any water clearing agents because I think it just covers up a problem instead of actually fixing it.

They do indeed. Good point. Treat the cause not the symptom.

[Glub]

Always test your water, regardless of how much experience or knowledge you possess.

It's better to determine water changes based around nitrate levels than it is to follow a routine schedule.

[Little Embers]

Originally Posted by thrakuarium
I personally never use any water clearing agents because I think it just covers up a problem instead of actually fixing it.
I also mentioned that, so I have to agree as well :hmm3grin2orang

Always test your water, regardless of how much experience or knowledge you possess.
I Definitely agree! especially when their is a problem with the tank, testing all parameters is the first thing I do.

originally posted bymcrawforth] It's actually been the longest period of time since I haven't added fish since I've had the tank (about 4 years) Because I know how to take care of a tank now lol
I did not mean to infer otherwise :ssmile: .. Reason I asked all those questions was because you didn't really give us much to go on. The cause could be one of many, so it needs to be determined by a process of elimination.

If the tanks has been established for 4 years, it is possible it could be "Old Tank Syndrome"....the beneficial bacteria in the tank may be dieing off naturally, which is another good reason to test your water parameters every so often.