Icky looking water....

aquatic_rookie · 10-31-2007, 05:01 PM

Ive had my 55g tank for about 2-3 mths and have not had any problems. The water began to get a little coudy about a week and a half ago so i got new filters and stuff and did a partial water change and added some water conditioner.... the water got worse it looks like dirty pond water but it doesnt smell bad and the fish seem to be doing just fine. any suggestions on how to clear it up? or whats going on?

Blue Cray · 10-31-2007, 05:24 PM

You shouldn't change your filter to a brand new one. Let the old one and new one run together for about 2 weeeks so the new one gets seeded, otherwise you could screw up the tank cycle. Try adding some plants to clear up the water.

aquatic_rookie · 11-02-2007, 06:50 PM

what kind of plants should i use?

Betta1 · 11-02-2007, 10:41 PM

is it a white cloud? if so thats an ammonia build up, though it shouldn't happen in an established tank

aquatic_rookie · 11-02-2007, 10:59 PM

no actually it looks green like pond water.... but it doesnt smell bad??!!

Blue Cray · 11-03-2007, 12:04 AM

ANy plants will do.

Betta1 · 11-03-2007, 09:49 AM

Thats more then likely an algae bloom, I've been slacking and can't tell you much about them other then when friends have had them they are tough to get rid of. Perhaps to much nutrients in the water or to much light would be my guess but you should look into it on your own.

aquatic_rookie · 11-03-2007, 11:14 AM

thank you for your help!

**Fishfirst** · 11-05-2007, 09:09 AM

test your levels ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. if they weren't off before... they probably are now.

abyrd · 11-05-2007, 10:35 AM

ugh, i've had this problem and its no fun. the PP was right and by changing both filters out in a newish tank will do it for sure. The best thing I've found is to use the filters that have both a sponge and the filter. You can leave the sponge in, but change the filter and it wont happen. The sponge will retain all of the good stuff that keeps it from happening.

It took my tank about a month to get back to normal, but haven't had a problem since.

Dr_House · 11-05-2007, 11:14 AM

I agree with Fishfirst; you definitely need to get that water tested. Far less important than what we find visually pleasing is the quality of the water. If that is ok (which I also suspect it is not), then you can just deal with the unpleasant appearance. However, if the water quality has diminished along with the appearance, you need to take immediate action to correct than. Once that is done, the ugliness of the water will often take care of itself.

I also feel it's worth repeating for anyone who may be reading through this that it is never a good idea to completely swap out a filter. When changing a filter it is best to add the new filter but leave the old one. This will give the media time to develop the nitrifying bacteria so that when you remove the old filter, your tank should be fine.

judya · 11-07-2007, 06:21 PM

May be a bacterial bloom, an algae bloom, or something stirring up cloudy sand from the bottom. If the water parameters are all good, then leave the filters alone, and give it a bit of time. Sometimes they clear up by themselves.
Sometimes you can add some filter floss to the filter behind the regular filter pad (between the intake and the pad) and it helps filter out the little particles.
Where in California? There are several good tropical fish clubs - San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and several in Southern Cal (altho those I'd have to look up!

jaws · 11-09-2007, 12:19 PM

try adding a some activated carbon in a media bag in your filter i use in my tanks and they stay crystal if it wont fit in your filter then put it directly in to your tank it will work a treat

jaws · 11-09-2007, 12:21 PM

make sure you rinse it first and it will need changing dependent on how dirty the water

10-31-2007, 05:01 PM	#1
aquatic_rookie Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 27	Icky looking water.... Ive had my 55g tank for about 2-3 mths and have not had any problems. The water began to get a little coudy about a week and a half ago so i got new filters and stuff and did a partial water change and added some water conditioner.... the water got worse it looks like dirty pond water but it doesnt smell bad and the fish seem to be doing just fine. any suggestions on how to clear it up? or whats going on? __________________ Perhaps a ZOO?!?! Proud owner of: 1 Female Rott/German Shep mix 1 Female Pitbull/Black lab mix 1 Female Pomeranian 8 guinea pig boars 5 guinea pig sows 5 male Russian Dwarf Hamsters 3 female Russian Dwarf Hamsters 1 California King Snake 2 male Cokatiel 1 male Parakeet 3 aquatic frogs (unsure of species) 5 baby Koi in 10g tank 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Kissing Gourami, 1 Blue 3 spot GOurami & 1 Pleco in 55g tank I THINK THAT'S IT (4 now) Last edited by aquatic_rookie; 10-31-2007 at 05:18 PM.

10-31-2007, 05:24 PM	#2
Blue Cray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 17 Posts: 498	You shouldn't change your filter to a brand new one. Let the old one and new one run together for about 2 weeeks so the new one gets seeded, otherwise you could screw up the tank cycle. Try adding some plants to clear up the water. __________________ 55g Planted -golden zebra danios -striped raphael catfish -angelfish -bronze cories -gold gourami -SAE -brochis catfish -Boeseman's Rainbowfish -Flying Foxes -BGK -kribensis 22g Planted -zebra loach -glo lite tetras 5g Semi Planted -endlers

11-02-2007, 06:50 PM	#3
aquatic_rookie Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 27	what kind of plants should i use? __________________ Perhaps a ZOO?!?! Proud owner of: 1 Female Rott/German Shep mix 1 Female Pitbull/Black lab mix 1 Female Pomeranian 8 guinea pig boars 5 guinea pig sows 5 male Russian Dwarf Hamsters 3 female Russian Dwarf Hamsters 1 California King Snake 2 male Cokatiel 1 male Parakeet 3 aquatic frogs (unsure of species) 5 baby Koi in 10g tank 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Kissing Gourami, 1 Blue 3 spot GOurami & 1 Pleco in 55g tank I THINK THAT'S IT (4 now)

11-02-2007, 10:59 PM	#5
aquatic_rookie Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 27	no actually it looks green like pond water.... but it doesnt smell bad??!! __________________ Perhaps a ZOO?!?! Proud owner of: 1 Female Rott/German Shep mix 1 Female Pitbull/Black lab mix 1 Female Pomeranian 8 guinea pig boars 5 guinea pig sows 5 male Russian Dwarf Hamsters 3 female Russian Dwarf Hamsters 1 California King Snake 2 male Cokatiel 1 male Parakeet 3 aquatic frogs (unsure of species) 5 baby Koi in 10g tank 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Kissing Gourami, 1 Blue 3 spot GOurami & 1 Pleco in 55g tank I THINK THAT'S IT (4 now)

11-03-2007, 12:04 AM	#6
Blue Cray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 17 Posts: 498	ANy plants will do. __________________ 55g Planted -golden zebra danios -striped raphael catfish -angelfish -bronze cories -gold gourami -SAE -brochis catfish -Boeseman's Rainbowfish -Flying Foxes -BGK -kribensis 22g Planted -zebra loach -glo lite tetras 5g Semi Planted -endlers

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11-02-2007, 10:41 PM	#4
Betta1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 348	is it a white cloud? if so thats an ammonia build up, though it shouldn't happen in an established tank

11-03-2007, 09:49 AM	#7
Betta1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 348	Thats more then likely an algae bloom, I've been slacking and can't tell you much about them other then when friends have had them they are tough to get rid of. Perhaps to much nutrients in the water or to much light would be my guess but you should look into it on your own.

11-03-2007, 11:14 AM	#8
aquatic_rookie Fishy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 27	thank you for your help! __________________ Perhaps a ZOO?!?! Proud owner of: 1 Female Rott/German Shep mix 1 Female Pitbull/Black lab mix 1 Female Pomeranian 8 guinea pig boars 5 guinea pig sows 5 male Russian Dwarf Hamsters 3 female Russian Dwarf Hamsters 1 California King Snake 2 male Cokatiel 1 male Parakeet 3 aquatic frogs (unsure of species) 5 baby Koi in 10g tank 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Kissing Gourami, 1 Blue 3 spot GOurami & 1 Pleco in 55g tank I THINK THAT'S IT (4 now)

11-05-2007, 09:09 AM	#9
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,546	test your levels ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. if they weren't off before... they probably are now. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

11-05-2007, 10:35 AM	#10
abyrd Fishy Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 28	ugh, i've had this problem and its no fun. the PP was right and by changing both filters out in a newish tank will do it for sure. The best thing I've found is to use the filters that have both a sponge and the filter. You can leave the sponge in, but change the filter and it wont happen. The sponge will retain all of the good stuff that keeps it from happening. It took my tank about a month to get back to normal, but haven't had a problem since.

11-05-2007, 11:14 AM	#11
Dr_House Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 346	I agree with Fishfirst; you definitely need to get that water tested. Far less important than what we find visually pleasing is the quality of the water. If that is ok (which I also suspect it is not), then you can just deal with the unpleasant appearance. However, if the water quality has diminished along with the appearance, you need to take immediate action to correct than. Once that is done, the ugliness of the water will often take care of itself. I also feel it's worth repeating for anyone who may be reading through this that it is never a good idea to completely swap out a filter. When changing a filter it is best to add the new filter but leave the old one. This will give the media time to develop the nitrifying bacteria so that when you remove the old filter, your tank should be fine.

11-07-2007, 06:21 PM	#12
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	May be a bacterial bloom, an algae bloom, or something stirring up cloudy sand from the bottom. If the water parameters are all good, then leave the filters alone, and give it a bit of time. Sometimes they clear up by themselves. Sometimes you can add some filter floss to the filter behind the regular filter pad (between the intake and the pad) and it helps filter out the little particles. Where in California? There are several good tropical fish clubs - San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and several in Southern Cal (altho those I'd have to look up!

11-09-2007, 12:19 PM	#13
jaws ha ha ha Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 23 Posts: 18	try adding a some activated carbon in a media bag in your filter i use in my tanks and they stay crystal if it wont fit in your filter then put it directly in to your tank it will work a treat

11-09-2007, 12:21 PM	#14
jaws ha ha ha Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 23 Posts: 18	make sure you rinse it first and it will need changing dependent on how dirty the water

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