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Aquariums: Please help cloudy tank just won’t clear


Hi all,

I've a cloudy tank that just won't clear – can't figure if a filter failure, filter media failure, or biofailure.

It's a 2 year cycled 30 gallon (120L) tank.
Hang on back filter – fluval c3 which is rated for 190L from Day 1.

I usually wash out the filter media fortnightly with tank water, when the flow is sluggish, corresponding with the red button popping up on the foam pads cartridge holder.

I have never had crystal clear water but accepted it as it was quite ok still.

1 month ago, I popped in about 15 shrimp after drip acclimatization (a daring process as the seller warned shrimps were difficult to keep alive). I took the chance to clear out the filter. This time, I took the whole filter apart and washed out the filter foam, Charcoal pack and soiled biofilter pad with tank water.

Woe to my tank – there was a gradual cloudiness in the tank that occurred over the next few days that has not cleared since. I do see a "cloud" that ripples with water movement, akin to a smoke machine's smoke.

I read that over aggresive cleaning cause bacterial bloom, but it has not cleared after a month!

Livestock are all happy. Seems like a majority of shrimp survived. I see small baby shrimp which I assume are new hatchlings, suggesting that the water parameters are good.

I've bought some "aquarium starter bacteria" and dumped some into the water but there's no improvement. Feeding has been just once a day – floating guppy foodflales that is consumed within 3minutes.

What's the issue? Just a persistent bloom needs more time? Filter media failure?
Can I trial and error and just get brand new foam and charcoal packs – will that further crash my cycle?

Thank you

Posted by HungryGobstopper

6 Comments

  1. itsbrown_wolf on

    Same thing happening with my tank too. I’ve tried everything even major water changes still water is milky. Today in morning I’ve replaced filter media completely have seen some improvement since then.

  2. eskirvin on

    I used a rather cheap UV filter set to 24 hours, then less as the algae/bacteria went away. What’s there isn’t going to go away, though, so perhaps manually rubbing it off would work for you like it did for me. The crap went waterbourne, but the UV killed it. The cloudiness of your water would go away overnight with one zipper pouch of Seachem Purigen in it. You could put it in the new UV filter. I’ll grab you a couple links.

    [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006JLVUI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006JLVUI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1)

    [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSVR5XZ7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSVR5XZ7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1)

  3. Practical-Thing-3891 on

    i had a similar problem. dust making the water cloudy. dirt and mulm settling on plants and substrate. tried many things in the end this is what is working. my solution still a work in progress. my problem was related to stagnent water. to the extent where many fish died (just 2 days late on water change impacted fish immunity)

    because my tank is so small, cleaning in shorter time frame is crucial.

    one side i have a sponge filter with a mature sponge for biofilteration.

    other side (for now) i have put my old underwater pump ( 2watts) DIY with cotton floss for mechanical filteration. the amount of dirt it collects is insane.

    if this continues to work well i’ll transition to a HOB instead of my diy rig.

    now here’s where my tank stands. recovering very well because of the water flow (gentle) but enough to ensure dirt doesn’t settle down. all the dirt gets pulled in the water pump n gets stuck in the cotton floss.

    all other plants have recovered except for the java moss on the driftwood. for this I’m using a gentle brush every-time i clean.

    my cleaning plus 50% water change is now down to once in 8-9 days. during this cleaning i do a siphon, brushing off the driftwood, and most important the cotton floss i completely change it. i put a fresh cotton floss. the bio-filter sponge i only rinse in tank water.

  4. lategame2020 on

    Ok. Look like most good bacteria in your filter are gone. Not enough to clear your water now. Your filter is not good enough, not big enough. Have you ever changed your substrate? May be it is the cause.

  6. Gibleski_art on

    I think you’re cleaning your filter cartridge too often, you may have rinsed off too much nitrifying bacteria and now theres a bloom while the tank seems to be doing a recycling – check your water parameters

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