I am looking after my 7 year old sons goldfish, I recently cleaned the tank and changed the water but now the water is cloudy, I did another partial change but the water is still cloudy, can someone tell me why and how to fix it. Thanks.
Cloudy water
- Thread starter colin
- Start date
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mfdrookie516
Aquarium Free - 2+ Years
when you say you cleaned it, how did you clean it? my first thought is a bacteria bloom. does it look like a white cloud kind of moving around in the water?
After removing the fish I removed and rinsed the gravel with water, cleaned the inside of the tank with a tank scrubber and water, replaced the filter cartridge, added treated water and fish a few hours later. I only used tap water with no soap or anything. There is no cloud as you describe, the water just looks cloudy like it is dirty.
mfdrookie516
Aquarium Free - 2+ Years
Ok, it probably is a bacteria bloom then. When you rinsed everything off with tap water, chances are you killed off the bacteria that converts ammonia in to nitrites then in to nitrates (aka cycle)... do you have a test kit to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?
mfdrookie516
Aquarium Free - 2+ Years
read through the link in my signature on understanding the nitrogen cycle. that should explain whats going on. basically when you rinsed everything in tap water, you killed off the bacteria that makes the tank cycled. you'll have to go through a cycle, and a liquid ammonia and nitrite test kit will help you big time. the best kit to get, imo, is the API Master FW Test kit, its anywhere from $20-30, cheaper online usually, and will let you test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph.. BTW, dont use anything like algae control, it can foul up your water. Just dont run your lights too much and dont overfeed and you shouldnt have any algae issues
Ok I will get a kit. I have seen a product called crystal clear that states it clears cloudy water would this be something to try or is it hocus-pocus? also are the fish in imenent danger? although I assume they dont feel great right now because of the water. Also, thank you very much for your help.
mfdrookie516
Aquarium Free - 2+ Years
i wouldnt use it, just my opinion though
DragonFish71
Great white snark
Does the Aquasafe you are using say "Bioextract" on the front?
If so, that can also be an issue. Really, anything with "live bacteria" can have a bad effect. I used that product on already cycled tanks when doing water changes and I lost everything in 1 tank and almost everything in another. For setting up a new tank I use it, but for long term tank care I do not recommend it, or any product like it. The Easy-balance is a joke as well. You never want to go 6 months with-out cleaning a tank. Honestly, all you need is a good dechlor like Prime or Jungle Start Right for water changes.
Now, I do agree with rookie. It does sound like you over-cleaned the tank and killed off the bacteria.
If so, that can also be an issue. Really, anything with "live bacteria" can have a bad effect. I used that product on already cycled tanks when doing water changes and I lost everything in 1 tank and almost everything in another. For setting up a new tank I use it, but for long term tank care I do not recommend it, or any product like it. The Easy-balance is a joke as well. You never want to go 6 months with-out cleaning a tank. Honestly, all you need is a good dechlor like Prime or Jungle Start Right for water changes.
Now, I do agree with rookie. It does sound like you over-cleaned the tank and killed off the bacteria.
