Added Plant Fertilizer - Have Dirty Water

[paulhlee]

Help! I have a 55 Gal tall tank, with a 20" x 22" base. I have had it until now with some gravel on the bottom, and some lava rocks for decor. I have the following fish in the tank:

2 Siamese Algae Eaters
2 Clown Loaches
1 Yo Yo Loach
1 Red Tail Black Shark
7 Neon Tetras
1 Angel
5 Glass Cats
1 Orange Gourami
1 Red Gourami
10 Shrimp


I bought some plants, and some aquarium plant fertilizer in order to add more color and character to the tank.

I first pulled out all of the lava rocks, leaving only the fish and the gravel bottom. When I poured the aquarium fertilizer in, the water instantly became super dirty, and I have about 1" visibility in the water. I suppose I should have rinsed the fertilizer before putting it in the tank - but I screwed up there.

I am not sure how to proceed. Should I let the filter run and clean the dirt/dust, replacing the bio-bags more often than normal? Should I turn off the filter and let the dust settle? Should I change out all of the water and start over? I hope my fish are okay - I see the swimming near the side of the tank from time to time so I think so far, that they are alright.

 

[Jchillin]

What kind of fertilizer and how much did you add?

 

[paulhlee]

It was a 15lb bag of Flourite, as suggested by the LFS.

 

[Jchillin]

Ah, that explains it. flourite is a nutrient rich plant substrate, not so much a dosable plant fertilizer.

Flourite is probably the dustiest substrate that I know of and is better used with an empty tank. It will settle over time, I suggest using some activated carbon to trap excess particles; changing it (along with additional small partial water changes) every two days. Adding some filter floss will also help.