My water is still cloudy after 4 days

[AbboNewbe]

Hi! Not sure why, but our 20gl tank has been doing well for 3 months. Then I decided to add a substrate and 10 plants. Fish still did well with all this change, plants growing as they should, water changes at 20% about every 2 weeks or as needed. Added 5 nerite snails, 4 amano shrimp, a couple of ghost shrimp. Water was clear. Then added a few more colorful plants that needed a CO2 booster, Plant fertilizer. Our water was so cloudy after 2 days you couldn't see the plants in back. So no fish, shrimp, snails lost (knock on wood) The levels are all within range, and 0 ammonia. But still cloudy. I did a 30% change yesterday and it did get a little clearer after a day. My numbers are all within range. When I change the filter I make sure to let the old filter drain water to new filter and submerge in the tank prior to adding to my Tetra whisper 20-40gl tnk filter. lights are timed for various times of day and turn off at night. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Andy Sager]

Hi! Not sure why, but our 20gl tank has been doing well for 3 months. Then I decided to add a substrate and 10 plants. Fish still did well with all this change, plants growing as they should, water changes at 20% about every 2 weeks or as needed. Added 5 nerite snails, 4 amano shrimp, a couple of ghost shrimp. Water was clear. Then added a few more colorful plants that needed a CO2 booster, Plant fertilizer. Our water was so cloudy after 2 days you couldn't see the plants in back. So no fish, shrimp, snails lost (knock on wood) The levels are all within range, and 0 ammonia. But still cloudy. I did a 30% change yesterday and it did get a little clearer after a day. My numbers are all within range. When I change the filter I make sure to let the old filter drain water to new filter and submerge in the tank prior to adding to my Tetra whisper 20-40gl tnk filter. lights are timed for various times of day and turn off at night. What am I doing wrong?

As long as your parameters are kay and the livestock is doing well, it's most likely a bacterial bloom that needs to pass on it's own. Stop doing the water changes for now because they are making it worse, not better.
As for the filter, the nitrifying microbes are on the surface of the filters not in the water so the only thing you should do with them is lightly rinse them off so that water can pass through them. No need to replace them until they are basically falling apart and before they hit that stage, you want to add a new filter while the old one is still in the filter box so that the nitrifying microbes can migrate to the new filter.

Hope this helps.

 

[AbboNewbe]

Thanks so much! I didn't realize about the filter change.

 

[BBradbury]

Hello. Working on the tank will disturb the bottom material and cause haziness. Adding a simple sponge filter will help draw in these small particles and help clear up the tank water. But, it will take a little time. I can tell you that small water changes still leave most of dissolved toxins in the water and will contribute to hazy water conditions. Certain types of driftwood will too. I would recommend slowly working up to the point you're removing and replacing most of the tank water every time you perform a water change. I've followed this water change rule for more years than I can recall. Here it is: If you have a tank under 30 gallons, remove and replace half the water twice a week. If your tank is 30 gallons or more, change out half or even a bit more of the water at least once a week. Take another step toward clear tank water by vacuuming the bottom material every two to three water changes.

B

 

[joshuakenneth]

Hi! Not sure why, but our 20gl tank has been doing well for 3 months. Then I decided to add a substrate and 10 plants. Fish still did well with all this change, plants growing as they should, water changes at 20% about every 2 weeks or as needed. Added 5 nerite snails, 4 amano shrimp, a couple of ghost shrimp. Water was clear. Then added a few more colorful plants that needed a CO2 booster, Plant fertilizer. Our water was so cloudy after 2 days you couldn't see the plants in back. So no fish, shrimp, snails lost (knock on wood) The levels are all within range, and 0 ammonia. But still cloudy. I did a 30% change yesterday and it did get a little clearer after a day. My numbers are all within range. When I change the filter I make sure to let the old filter drain water to new filter and submerge in the tank prior to adding to my Tetra whisper 20-40gl tnk filter for taxi in durham. lights are timed for various times of day and turn off at night. What am I doing wrong?

The cloudiness is likely a bacterial bloom caused by the new substrate, added plants, and CO2 booster. Even with good water parameters, these changes can disrupt the balance. Cut back on the CO2 booster and fertilizer for now, do regular 25–30% water changes, and avoid disturbing the substrate. It should clear up as the tank stabilizes.