Cloudy water cant shake it

[eco23]

It's not the idea of light killing algae (absurd) it's the idea that your plants would grow better with more light (I've had a tallish tank before...I can't imagine how <1wpg would be enough to keep anything other than low light plants growing long term. Still think there is another issue, dating back to before your switch to dual bulbs. Just my 2cents though.

Can you expand on a theoretical idea? My plants have always grown like crazy, even with < 5 WPG...I just can't seem to get ahold of green loving my river rocks. I've had duel bulbs since almost day one with this tank...just one was actinic.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Can you expand on a theoretical idea? My plants have always grown like crazy, even with < 5 WPG...I just can't seem to get ahold of green loving my river rocks. I've had duel bulbs since almost day one with this tank...just one was actinic.

Dual bulbs as in dual daylight bulbs not daylight+actnic

 

[eco23]

Dual bulbs as in dual daylight bulbs not daylight+actnic

I meant < 1 WPG (typo, Friday night ). I've only been using the daylight + 10,000k since the blackout that ended last Sunday. Before it was the daylight and actinic.

 

[lyn54]

Hi, not glad you people are having cloudy issues like i am but sure glad i'm not the only one. Mine began to look a little cloudy around 3 weeks ago, aquarium shop sold me a flocculant and said my water would be crystal clear within 3 hours. Wrong!! Within 2 hours my water looked like a mud pond. I lost 6 fish in a week after that - went back to store and was told to do a 30% water change and add Amtrite Down. Water continued to get worse. Only have one fish left alive now. Ended up (out of desperation) removing my one fish and putting it in a seperate bowl then completing a 90% water change. You gotta be desperate to be doing that right? Water actually did begin to clear for a couple of days but is now looking cloudy again. My last fish is now looking like it is going to die. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I have sufficient filtration and aeration. PH, GH, KH and ammonias are all within normal range. If anybody has any suggestions i would be more than grateful. Thanks in advance.

 

[eco23]

Hi, not glad you people are having cloudy issues like i am but sure glad i'm not the only one. Mine began to look a little cloudy around 3 weeks ago, aquarium shop sold me a flocculant and said my water would be crystal clear within 3 hours. Wrong!! Within 2 hours my water looked like a mud pond. I lost 6 fish in a week after that - went back to store and was told to do a 30% water change and add Amtrite Down. Water continued to get worse. Only have one fish left alive now. Ended up (out of desperation) removing my one fish and putting it in a seperate bowl then completing a 90% water change. You gotta be desperate to be doing that right? Water actually did begin to clear for a couple of days but is now looking cloudy again. My last fish is now looking like it is going to die. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I have sufficient filtration and aeration. PH, GH, KH and ammonias are all within normal range. If anybody has any suggestions i would be more than grateful. Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry to hear about your fish . In your case it seems a bit different because an algae bloom or simply cloudy water wouldn't cause fish death. The most important things to know are ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte levels. Make sure you have a quality liquid test kit to monitor your levels. In your particular case it almost sounds like a bacterial bloom related to a cycling tank.

Are you familiar with cycling? Here's a couple links to check out if not-
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html#products

It may be a good idea to start your own thread to get more help with the issue. Good luck!

 

[lyn54]

Thankyou, as all my tests are within normal range maybe it is a bacterial bloom. Will this sort itself out with cycling or is there something i should be adding?

 

[kelly77143]

Ok guys... Just an update on my tank... I had the lime green water and couldn't get rid of it and refused to put chemicals bc of my snails.... Well, we scrubbed the canister, rinsed the media, replaced the HOB media and did our usual weekly 15 percent PWC. The only thing we did different was the water that we replaced was about two degrees cooler than the tank itself. Tank is at 80, water was 78. It's really hot here in Louisiana 110 degrees (heat index 120) and the tank is by a window. The result is like night and day. It's been a week and it's still so much better. There is still some algae in the lines of the canister but it seems to be working for now. We soaked them in hot water for a while but couldn't get it all out. The water is really clear and the haze is completely gone. So I'm thinking my algae was growing bc of the heat in the afternoon. I'm hoping this will keep it at bay for now. Just wanted to let you guys know! I'll post a pic soon.

 

[kelly77143]

Here is the tank

 

[Coleallensmom]

I meant < 1 WPG (typo, Friday night ). I've only been using the daylight + 10,000k since the blackout that ended last Sunday. Before it was the daylight and actinic.

Yep, I was stating that I still think there is another issue dating back to when you were running just one daylight (and an actinic); before your switch to dual daylight bulbs. As I said previously, the length of time that you were running the actnic may have contributed but there could be other causes that you're overlooking. You said your nitrates are within a good range, correct? What about your phosphate levels?

Like I said in your fert dosing thread, anyone can blame algae issues on their lighting but that would be assuming that ferts/nutrients are not also a contributing factor.

Algae in the Planted Aquarium - Tropical Fish Forums

Control of Algae in Planted Aquaria

 

[eco23]

Yep, I was stating that I still think there is another issue dating back to when you were running just one daylight (and an actinic); before your switch to dual daylight bulbs. As I said previously, the length of time that you were running the actnic may have contributed but there could be other causes that you're overlooking. You said your nitrates are within a good range, correct? What about your phosphate levels?

Like I said in your fert dosing thread, anyone can blame algae issues on their lighting but that would be assuming that ferts/nutrients are not also a contributing factor.

Algae in the Planted Aquarium - Tropical Fish Forums

Control of Algae in Planted Aquaria

Thanks for your help. I think I'll bring my issue back to the other thread I made in the planted tank section so I'm not jacking Ryan's thread more than I already did. I know a couple of you are subscribed there...but here's the thread- http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...roblems-and-a-fert-dosing-routine-162224.html

I appreciate everyone's help so far

 

[barterking85]

I don't mind at all eco I am glad it's a good thread for anyone with these issues

 

[eco23]

I don't mind at all eco I am glad it's a good thread for anyone with these issues

That's nice of you man (but since you're Canadian, that might be national law ( ). I guess we are having similar problems, just with different roots of the issue.

I guess I'll throw out a quick update than...I guess this threads title sums it up..."cloudy water, can't shake it". I believe I am noticing a slight reduction in green algae...but the haziness (which is absolutely related to algae since the blackout helped it) has returned a bit.

With the new lights both running at once, it's like someone brought the sun inside and stuck it in my tank...way too bright IMO. What I've done is run the 10,000k light for 4 hours, then switch over to the 6,500k for an additional 3-4hrs...but not running them together. I'm also dosing the Flourish comp twice a week after pwc's at half dosage.

As for the nitrAtes...they're normally ~10. I have a few tanks...and none have algae other than this particular one which is the only planted tank. The BBA was only one tiny spot on a Val...and honestly it might have been a survivor from the blackout. I cut off the leaf and I haven't noticed any others.

I've considered splitting the photo period...but it seems unnatural for the fish, and I really don't want to do it. Their behavior changes with the lighting, and I've got them in a pretty good natural rhythm with the lighting that I don't want to throw off.

Honestly I can deal with the green algae on the substrate and DW (2x a week pwc's turn over the rocks and make it look better)...it's just the freaking cloudy water which is driving me up the wall.

Ryan, let me know how that UV thing works. I might have to go that route if it's effective for you.

Thanks for sharing your thread with me dude.

 

[barterking85]

That's nice of you man (but since you're Canadian, that might be national law ( ). I guess we are having similar problems, just with different roots of the issue.

I guess I'll throw out a quick update than...I guess this threads title sums it up..."cloudy water, can't shake it". I believe I am noticing a slight reduction in green algae...but the haziness (which is absolutely related to algae since the blackout helped it) has returned a bit.

With the new lights both running at once, it's like someone brought the sun inside and stuck it in my tank...way too bright IMO. What I've done is run the 10,000k light for 4 hours, then switch over to the 6,500k for an additional 3-4hrs...but not running them together. I'm also dosing the Flourish comp twice a week after pwc's at half dosage.

As for the nitrAtes...they're normally ~10. I have a few tanks...and none have algae other than this particular one which is the only planted tank. The BBA was only one tiny spot on a Val...and honestly it might have been a survivor from the blackout. I cut off the leaf and I haven't noticed any others.

I've considered splitting the photo period...but it seems unnatural for the fish, and I really don't want to do it. Their behavior changes with the lighting, and I've got them in a pretty good natural rhythm with the lighting that I don't want to throw off.

Honestly I can deal with the green algae on the substrate and DW (2x a week pwc's turn over the rocks and make it look better)...it's just the freaking cloudy water which is driving me up the wall.

Ryan, let me know how that UV thing works. I might have to go that route if it's effective for you.

Thanks for sharing your thread with me dude.

Lol it is Canadian law Not a problem Eco I bought it just waiting for the shipment my green water also came back not a bit but with a vengeance so I now am doing pwc 2-3 week I am also trying a split photo period 4 on 4 off 4 on I know it's not natural but at this point I am willing to try anything also I am using liquid fertilizer 3 times weekly but I cut it back to half doses but I might have found tge issue I have 2 farlowellas 1 of which always hides so I didn't notice him for a while and thought nothing of it so yesterday I went on the hunt and found him dead under a fake log decoration I don't know what happened to him all my levels are great as usual but my serpea are little buggers and could have picked on him but I did a big pwc and the water looks alot better it was BAD but I will keep everyone updated

 

[eco23]

Lol it is Canadian law Not a problem Eco I bought it just waiting for the shipment my green water also came back not a bit but with a vengeance so I now am doing pwc 2-3 week I am also trying a split photo period 4 on 4 off 4 on I know it's not natural but at this point I am willing to try anything also I am using liquid fertilizer 3 times weekly but I cut it back to half doses but I might have found tge issue I have 2 farlowellas 1 of which always hides so I didn't notice him for a while and thought nothing of it so yesterday I went on the hunt and found him dead under a fake log decoration I don't know what happened to him all my levels are great as usual but my serpea are little buggers and could have picked on him but I did a big pwc and the water looks alot better it was BAD but I will keep everyone updated

Sorry about your fish dude . Obviously I'm not am algae expert...but I'd be super surprised if that was a cause, especially if your levels stayed good. The liquid ferts scare me a bit so I'm being super conservative. I guess that would be part of the plants outcompeting the algae debate...but I've seen some discussion recently that the idea is questionable. The first time I dosed a liquid fert is actually when this entire algae bloom showed up...but it was Aqueon brand, not the Flourish.

I remember fort told me that what's good for plants is also good for algae...so I guess I'm trying to find a middle ground that's good for plants...but not so good everything goes green. I just want this freaking haziness to go away in this tank!!!

 

[eco23]

Also, just to give an idea of what it looks like...here's a couple pics which should show how many plants there are, and the second pic should give an idea of the haziness.

As for the phosphates (I forgot to mention), I've never tested them, but I have tried running phosphate removing media for a couple weeks which didn't help a bit.

Oh, and Ryan...super cute baby.

 

[barterking85]

Thanks eco
I think I could live with your tank I am embarrassed to take a picture of mine but I will in a bit I am watching true blood with the wife

 

[barterking85]

And now I just seen a bunch of white dots on my rummynose errrrrrrr it's ick for sure I am ready to pack it in

 

[eco23]

And now I just seen a bunch of white dots on my rummynose errrrrrrr it's ick for sure I am ready to pack it in

Oh man...sorry . Looks like they've got some heat and salt heading their way. I'm sure you've seen the sticky in the unhealthy fish section. Are they new additions?

 

[Demonknight]

Just a thought guys, I started out with a 2 month bout of cloudy water, poor lighting and a nice dirt bottom covered with a sand gravel mixture http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/troubled-waters-150004.html... (there are before and after pics, i should add a new one or three)..
once I started dumping a lot of plants into the tank and added better lighting and the waters better looking than the tap stuff, but what I'm seeing is everyone agrees "something" is out of wack, but no ones suggested reducing or stopping the adding of ferts for a week or two to see what would happen.

in short: too much food, plus not enough plants could equal the green/white water effect?

 

[barterking85]

Here is my tank after 2 50% pwc over 48 hrs the heat is now set on 85 and salt added 80 gallons takes a lot of salt darn ick