Biergott
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hello everyone,
I posted a few weeks ago about a major algae bloom that ocurred while a not-so-trustworthy friend of the wife took care of my fish while I was travelling.
Anway, I want to thank everyone for their advice.
Long story short, I used the advice (such as turning the light off for several days), switched to Prime, and added a 2nd filter (even though it probably wasn't necessary.
However, my water, even after a water change, is still not staying clear.
They water gets cloudy in only a couple days, and when I change it, the water is green.
So I will let you know what I am doing when I change the water (typically 1/3-1/2 of water, 3/4 on extreme green water and this was only once):
-Use siphon gravel vac to suction water out and clean the gravel into buckets (I don't have a thread on faucet so I can't use a cool one!)
-Then use the Eheim Sludge Extractor for extra cleaning
-If ornaments have algae, I will pull them out a scrub them with treated water
-Add water treated with Prime and Aquarium Salt as directed (1 tsp per 5 gallongs, in 3 gallon increments at properly temp matched water (79 degrees) until full.
-Replace filter elements, replace charcoal and ammocarb in secondary filter element.
The only things that have changed since I got the aquarium and the problem started are:
-Addition of aquarium salt
-Change of light bulb (I have since changed back to the original)
-Change from API Stress Coat to Prime
-Additional Filter
So I guess my question is could the Salt be causing this rapid cloudiness? Is it even necessary?
My tank remains unlit most of the time, and is not in a sunny room.
Out of the things that have changed since I got the tank, that is the only thing that makes any sense as a link to the chronically cloudy water.
I know it is not feeding problems as the food is given 2 times per day, and is gone within 2 minutes. Also, vacuum residue is very minimal.
Below are details of my tank:
-36 Gallon Bowfront
-2 Emporer 280 Filters
-Heater set at 79
-Additives include: Prime, Algaefix once per week (when necessary), Aquarium Salt with water change)
-Fish: 1 gourami, 2 australian rainbow fish, 1 baloon molly, 1 pleco, 1 cat, 3 neons, 2 cherry barbs, 2 zebra danios
-No live plants
I posted a few weeks ago about a major algae bloom that ocurred while a not-so-trustworthy friend of the wife took care of my fish while I was travelling.
Anway, I want to thank everyone for their advice.
Long story short, I used the advice (such as turning the light off for several days), switched to Prime, and added a 2nd filter (even though it probably wasn't necessary.
However, my water, even after a water change, is still not staying clear.
They water gets cloudy in only a couple days, and when I change it, the water is green.
So I will let you know what I am doing when I change the water (typically 1/3-1/2 of water, 3/4 on extreme green water and this was only once):
-Use siphon gravel vac to suction water out and clean the gravel into buckets (I don't have a thread on faucet so I can't use a cool one!)
-Then use the Eheim Sludge Extractor for extra cleaning
-If ornaments have algae, I will pull them out a scrub them with treated water
-Add water treated with Prime and Aquarium Salt as directed (1 tsp per 5 gallongs, in 3 gallon increments at properly temp matched water (79 degrees) until full.
-Replace filter elements, replace charcoal and ammocarb in secondary filter element.
The only things that have changed since I got the aquarium and the problem started are:
-Addition of aquarium salt
-Change of light bulb (I have since changed back to the original)
-Change from API Stress Coat to Prime
-Additional Filter
So I guess my question is could the Salt be causing this rapid cloudiness? Is it even necessary?
My tank remains unlit most of the time, and is not in a sunny room.
Out of the things that have changed since I got the tank, that is the only thing that makes any sense as a link to the chronically cloudy water.
I know it is not feeding problems as the food is given 2 times per day, and is gone within 2 minutes. Also, vacuum residue is very minimal.
Below are details of my tank:
-36 Gallon Bowfront
-2 Emporer 280 Filters
-Heater set at 79
-Additives include: Prime, Algaefix once per week (when necessary), Aquarium Salt with water change)
-Fish: 1 gourami, 2 australian rainbow fish, 1 baloon molly, 1 pleco, 1 cat, 3 neons, 2 cherry barbs, 2 zebra danios
-No live plants