cloudy water

[alcarinhwesta]

We have a 20-long that has been running for about 2.5 months. We cycled with blue danios for 6 weeks before getting our "real fish". Now we have 8 platys, 4 cory cats, and 3 cardinal tetras that have been there for about 4 weeks. We have a flourescant bulb that is on a 12-hr timer and we have 3 groves of live plants

Our water is constantly cloudy. We just tested our water today. (Liquid test) and these are our levels:
pH 7.4
ammonia is between 0 and .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0

[rich311k]

What color is the cloud? Put some water in a white cup you should be able to tell.

[alcarinhwesta]

It is a milky white

[eco23]

Originally Posted by alcarinhwesta

We have a 20-long that has been running for about 2.5 months. We cycled with blue danios for 6 weeks before getting our "real fish". Now we have 8 platys, 4 cory cats, and 3 cardinal tetras that have been there for about 4 weeks. We have a flourescant bulb that is on a 12-hr timer and we have 3 groves of live plants

Our water is constantly cloudy. We just tested our water today. (Liquid test) and these are our levels:
pH 7.4
ammonia is between 0 and .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0

Have you made any changes recently? Changed filter media, removed deco, etc...?

[eco23]

Milky white indicates a bacterial bloom in most cases. The .25 ammo reading would seem to confirm you may be experiencing a mini-cycle as the bacteria is adjusting and the tank is stabilizing. Make sure you keep a close eye on water parameters over the coming days, and be prepared to do a pwc to keep ammo and no2 under .25 at all times until the tank is stable