Murky Water Problem

[Juannie]

I've noticed (again) that over the last 2 or 3 days my tank water has gone murky in my mixed tropical tank. It's winter (early) here (usually gets here in August) so there's been less sunlight. Would this be the cause of it? Is there anything I can do to rectify the murkiness? The filter has been cleaned and the water parameters seem fine.

[ChurchofAdam]

I GUESS less sunlight could = bacterial bloom... but I wouldn't bank on it

[RobbieG]

Did the water get murky after you cleaned up or added a fish?

Is the water a murky color or kind of hazy grey white?

Sometimes you can get a bacterial bloom if you remove too much bacteria when cleaning or introduce a new ammonia source.

Maybe you had some sort of algae living in the tank that died after the day shortened and that caused a bacterial bloom.

[Juannie]

Did the water get murky after you cleaned up or added a fish?

Is the water a murky color or kind of hazy grey white?

Sometimes you can get a bacterial bloom if you remove too much bacteria when cleaning or introduce a new ammonia source.

Maybe you had some sort of algae living in the tank that died after the day shortened and that caused a bacterial bloom.

Nope absolutely nothing new or diffrent that's why I'm confused. It's a kind of hazy grey white colour. It do have the normal brownish coloured algae which is on my plastic plants, could that be it?

[RobbieG]

I would expect it to clear up in a few days if it is a bacterial bloom.

Keep an eye on your water - a bacterial bloom means that there was a bit more of something than usual.

[Lady Hobbs]

A bacteria bloom will generally happen immediately after over-cleaning and then clear up in a few days but you say yours stay clear for several days and then clouds up. Are you using anything but dechlorinator ..like water clarifiers or anything?

If your water is not staying clear, I would suspect your filter is not working sufficiently for your stock or you are over-feeding.

Actually, you don't want sunlight on your tank. This will give you green algae. Brown algae comes from not enough light. However, my plastic plants have also gotten a bit of brown algae on them with lights on 14 hours a day but the hood lights are only 18 watts. I just swish the plants in some mild bleach water about every 6 months.

[Juannie]

A bacteria bloom will generally happen immediately after over-cleaning and then clear up in a few days but you say yours stay clear for several days and then clouds up. Are you using anything but dechlorinator ..like water clarifiers or anything?

If your water is not staying clear, I would suspect your filter is not working sufficiently for your stock or you are over-feeding.

Actually, you don't want sunlight on your tank. This will give you green algae. Brown algae comes from not enough light. However, my plastic plants have also gotten a bit of brown algae on them with lights on 14 hours a day but the hood lights are only 18 watts. I just swish the plants in some mild bleach water about every 6 months.

Aha, thank you I shall keep the sunlight out, I've had my hood light on in the late arvo/evening but a bit of sunlight was getting in early morning. I was wondering about bleaching my plants, do you leave them to sit for a few days after the "swishing"? I haven't added anything new, I've just cleaned my filter again on the weekend & it looks like it's fine. I also moved everyone to a bigger tank (which is clear) at the moment so I'll keep an eye on it.
THANKS!!thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

I just soaked my plants for 10 minutes or so and rinsed. Scrubbed off what didn't come off by itself.

[Juannie]

Excellent, I shall do that with my plants THANKS!:19:

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Yep, thanks to Bunnings Warehouse always having lots of green scrubbing pads for sale in bulk very cheaply.

Great for shifting algae...

[Juannie]

Gotta love Bunnings! I'll be stocking up on them that's for sure.

Thanks everyone!!:22: