Tank is slightly cloudy, won't clear up

[FishDad]

You guys have been invaluable. Here's another query... So my tank for about two weeks now has remained slightly cloudy. Not horrible but I really want that crystal clear look. My tank is heavily stocked but not over stocked, its 75 Gallons. I have four plants plus an alga ball. Yesterday I did a 50% water change and it didn't seem to help. The ammonia is fine. But there is still a definite cloudiness, really only noticeable in the background.

Today I purchased a bottle of water clarifier but hesitated on adding it. I wanted to get some info from you guys first. Also I have noticed a small increase in algae growth on surfaces in the tank. My guess is that is linked to the cloudy water.

So any suggestions? I would also like to know if anyone has had success with water clarifiers?

 

[FishDad]

By the way, we watch to make sure all the food gets eaten. So I don't think its overfeeding.

 

[Thyra]

What is your lighting schedule like and what about the tanks position in relationship to windows and room lighting?

 

[FishDad]

It is next to my front room window, but zero direct sunlight hits the tank. There is a lamp next to the tank as well but its not on very often. As for the lighting schedule I basically turn it off before I go to bed. So its on from 7am to about 10pm. To much?

 

[Thyra]

IMO that is probably too much light. OC can probably be more definitive amount the amount of light, but it doesn't take a lot of light to encourage algae growth. Of course you have to consider live plants, etc. but back in my beginning OC recommended a timer and although I never got a timer and don't have a lot of plants. I try to keep it down to about 8 hours a day. There is plenty of natural room light.

 

[FishDad]

Well I've got the live plants covered. I really think its an algae bloom based on the research I've done. It seems most of the time it cycles itself out and clears up so we'll see. Also now that I'm thinking about it, it hasn't been two weeks its been more like one (it just felt like two). I've heard floating plants are really good for controlling algae, maybe I'll look for those. Along with less light I'll cut back on feeding too. Thanks for the info Thyra.

 

[KcMopar]

Give it some time, I would not use the clarifier. It will come around, just keep up the weekly WC's and do the above advice.

 

[FishDad]

Yeah I'm not going to use it. I think today it might actually have slightly cleared. Also I added a floating plant, wormwort I think its called.

 

[OrangeCones]

Hornwort perhaps?

 

[FishDad]

It could be, I swear I thought it was called wormwort though. Anyway I'm returning the clarifier tomorrow so I'll check out the name of it. Hopefully the Hornwort or whatever it is helps. I also noticed that my algae ball is really perked up. It looks a very bright and rich green, and almost appears to be growing larger or accumulating more algae. Somewhat hard to describe. Good sign or bad?

 

[KcMopar]

Thats GOOD!!! Its eating nutrients from you tank like ammonia, phosphates, and nitrate. My tanks have a whole plastic screen of algae that I run the water over in order to cleanse it of nutrients. Algae it the most efficient water filter in the world, thats how oceans and FW bodies filter themselves.

 

[FishDad]

Ok its hornwort. I also did a 50 percent change yesterday and that cleared things up some. I noticed some of the fish are nibbling on the hornwort, will that end up killing the plant or is this typical?

 

[FishDad]

This is a little off the thread but while I'm thinking of it I'd like to here opinions of water test kits... I currently use the dropper and vile kit and I'm frustrated with it. It worked well when I had troubles a few months ago when ammonia levels were toxic but now when the level changes are more subtle it seems tough to get an accurate reading. Depending on the room lighting it can read from 0 to .25. That's actually what caused me to do a 50 percent change last night because I may or may not have had a reading of .25. So what do you guys think? What do you use?

 

[Thyra]

I suspect there are things out there that cost hundreds of dollars that labs use, but for the money the API liquid kit is about the best you can do. My suggestion is to use outdoor light (natural). As a nurse when blood sugar or urine tests were questionable that is what we did - use window light or step outside.

 

[Fuzz16]

The tank is still Jewish, have you tested for ammonia? If you have abasic flourecent light it would put out enough wattage to create an algae problem if left on throughout day. If fish are dying then you'll have ammonia spikes also

 

[lauraf]

This is a little off the thread but while I'm thinking of it I'd like to here opinions of water test kits... I currently use the dropper and vile kit and I'm frustrated with it. It worked well when I had troubles a few months ago when ammonia levels were toxic but now when the level changes are more subtle it seems tough to get an accurate reading. Depending on the room lighting it can read from 0 to .25. That's actually what caused me to do a 50 percent change last night because I may or may not have had a reading of .25. So what do you guys think? What do you use?

For ammonia, you can buy a product that OC mentioned to me and others a while back - Ammonia Alert. It affixes to your tank wall and will change colours noticeably if you have any rise in ammonia. This only helps with ammonia, not potentially toxic nitrite or nitrate levels so you'll still need to test for those.

 

[FishDad]

The tank cleared up, thanks for the advice guys. As for the testers I was thinking of getting those dip strips that give you readings of everything at once. Thyra thanks for suggesting natural lighting, that makes sense.

 

[lauraf]

The tank cleared up, thanks for the advice guys. As for the testers I was thinking of getting those dip strips that give you readings of everything at once. Thyra thanks for suggesting natural lighting, that makes sense.

The dip strips are actually far more inaccurate than the drop and vial tests. Better to stick with the liquid test kit IMO...