Cloudy Water

[LordErrorprone]

I've had a 55 gal running for about 5 months now and its been doing great, until recently the water has been cloudy 24/7 and everything I've tried hasn't fixed it. I have a protein skimmer, canister filter and a power filter used for surface skimming only. Could someone please give me some advice?

 

[puffballurchin]

you will need to post a pic

 

[LordErrorprone]

If its hard to see the water is brown. I should have mentioned that in the beginning.

 

[puffballurchin]

brown water...that is a new one for me...so i am not sure what kind of advice i can give...how are your nitrates and ammonia? do you use carbon filters or that new bio-crystal(it is a chemical form of carbon filter can't remember name off by hand)...when was your last clean?

 

[LordErrorprone]

The ammonia is at zero and the nitrate is at 20, they got a water change almost one week ago so their due for another soon. I use carbon filtration, haven't heard of the other stuff your talking about. I do have high wattage lights on there, do you think that could cause the water to turn brown from so much algae?

 

[LordErrorprone]

They are about 400 watts.

 

[Jacj]

They are about 400 watts.

It locks lick red algae. How long do you have the light on for?

 

[LordErrorprone]

The lights are on for 12 hours.

 

[Jacj]

The lights are on for 12 hours.

Ok so do 10 to 20% wc and no light for a day or to. And the light for 6 to 8 max.

 

[Jacj]

Ok so do 10 to 20% wc and no light for a day or to. And the light for 6 to 8 max.

I had the same thing in a tank and that was from the light being on to long.

 

[LordErrorprone]

Ok I will try that, is 400 watts too much for a 55 galleon?

 

[Jacj]

Ok I will try that, is 400 watts too much for a 55 galleon?

Maybe but if you back the light time off to 6 it will be ok. I do 6 and my tank that had the red algae is good. Hope it helps

 

[LordErrorprone]

Sounds good. Thank you.

 

[Jacj]

Sounds good. Thank you.

Any time. And clean all the equipment

 

[JMHuestis]

Ok so do 10 to 20% wc and no light for a day or to. And the light for 6 to 8 max.

what he said.. i did no light for almost a week.. except a few minutes before & after feeding.

 

[barterking85]

what he said.. i did no light for almost a week.. except a few minutes before & after feeding.

Next step would be a 4 day black out do a feeding and a 40% pwc / vacuum and wrap up your tank with thick black garbage bags no peeking during this process you fish will be fine then after the 4 days another 40% pwc / vacuum and with your tank water rinse all filter media and you should see a major difference

Then of course cut back on your lighting to 6-8 hours or even split your photo period if you have plants to 3 on 3 off 3 on or 4 on 4 off 4 on a timer will come in handy for this

 

[LordErrorprone]

So I just turned the light on for a second to check the cloudiness and the water has turned white, what does that mean? Should I keep the light off for a couple more days?

 

[Jacj]

So I just turned the light on for a second to check the cloudiness and the water has turned white, what does that mean? Should I keep the light off for a couple more days?

Don't no but get the fish out. I will ask and get back to you

 

[barterking85]

If it Is alge and you want to get rid of it by having no lights on then you cant turn them on at all no feedings total darkness

 

[Jacj]

If it Is alge and you want to get rid of it by having no lights on then you cant turn them on at all no feedings total darkness

Ok so no light at all for 4 or 5days. And do you have fish in the tank and if yes what r they?