cloudy water

[aquaticgypsy]

My long finned rosy barb died this morning :'( , and I don't know why! I thought it might have been for the same reason the water was so cloudy. I can't figure it out. I don't think I'm overfeeding, just 2 small meals a day. My aquarium is a 10 gallon, I do a half water change twice a week, and a whole water change every 2 weeks. The filter is the kind that you have to replace the cartridge, and even if it looks clean, I replace it every 3 weeks. Should I get the water tested? ??? Is the water quality the reason my rosy barb died? Please tell me what you can.

                                                   ~aquaticgypsy

 

[eseow]

You may be changing too much water. Fish will be stressed by constantly changing water conditions. Whole water changes are to be avoided, only if absolutely necessary. As for cloudiness, how old is the tank setup? Major water changes can cause cloudiness, just as if its was a new tank setup. Try getting a test kit and measure the water readings. This is your best solver to link what might be wrong. It could be ammonia or PH, but you won't know unless you test the water. Post what you find out. *crazysmiley*

 

[ronrca]

Agreed! Whole water changes are actually uncalled for. Even half water changes twice a week is too much depending of course on how many fish you have in the 10G and if you age and condition your water before adding it into the 10G. I would only be doing water changes once a week and changing only 7G.

The reason whole water changes are not good because because the water conditions change and change to fish mean stress. From stress it can lead to dis-stress or disease.

I hope that helps.  *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[luvfishies]

I disagree. 100% waterchanges should be fine as long as the FILTER etc are cycled.

Unfortunately, every time you replace the filter innards you are tossing out the vast majority of the "beneficial bacteria" that we need in tanks to have healthy fish.

What you need to do is just RINSE the filter innards in a bucket of tankwater, then pop those innards back in the filter.
DO NOT use tapwater, as chlorine/chloramine will kill off the good "biobugs" as well.

I'm still using 18 month old AquaClear sponges that I just rinse. I have not REPLACED media in 18 months (I don't use carbon).

Waterchanges, as long as the inwater is VERY similar to the tank water will not do any harm at all.

 

[ronrca]

Yes and no! If you can match the water to the tank water then it might be ok to change 100%. But my question is why is it neccessary on a regular basis? If you do change water weekly, at most 50% would be plenty. Another concern I would have is matching the tank water. I guess it can be done but why make the effort to do so. In my 90G (that would be a lot of water to change 100%), I change 25% weekly straight my the tap. Can you imagine the effort required to match the tank water even at 50%? No thanks! I just dont have the time. I guess if you do have a smaller tank like less than 20G it might be simpler but then again, Im not sure how many people would make the effort.

 

[aquaticgypsy]

Well, I got my water tested and guess what? Even though I use ammolock2, there was alot of ammonia (the goldfish produced more than I thought!) and the Ph was off. I got some more ammolock, and bought Ph down formula. My fish seem happier aleady , and the water isn't so cloudy! Thank for the advice everyone!

                                            ~aquaticgypsy