ToxicChloe

They water in my tank has been cloudy for about 3 to 4 weeks. I believe it's from some medicine I put in when one of my fish had clamped fins. I cannot get the water to clear up now. I've put a poly filter in my filter, which turned light brown. I also am taking 5 gallons of water out weekly.

i had my water tested and it's normal. No ammonia or anything. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Is this a bacteria bloom??

capekate

Hi ToxicChloe,
It may have very well been the medicine that you used may have put your tank into a mini cycle. It does sound like you are going through another bacteria bloom but 2-3 weeks of it sounds like a long time to me. What is your water change/vacuuming schedule like?

ToxicChloe

It's a 29 gallon tank and I change it once a week taking out about 5 gallons. Should i take out more than that? I vacuum under plants and other decor as well

Shawnie

having others test your water, doesnt let you know the true readings..and others mainly use test strips for convience and they are very unreliable...im with kate....from using meds in a tank, the tank probably lost its cycle (beneficial bacteria do not tolerate meds at all) and you should be doing some daily changes with some prime, amquel+ or ammo lock until you can maybe get your own kit..an API liquid master kit has everything you need and you can get 100 of tests out of one kit...goodluck!

aquarist48

Good morning. Great information above. Are you using activated carbon in your filter? If not I would suggest adding it. I use it around the clock although some members do not. Others use it to remove medicines. Once you add it and if it doesn't clear in a couple of days (you should notice a difference in 24 hours) then you probably do have an bacterial bloom.

ToxicChloe

Yes I use activated carbon. I have chemi pure in my filter right now and I also put bio boost in my tank. Bio boost is my works brand of cycle. It puts good bacteria in the tank. After using those two things it's gradually starting to clear up.

Shawnie

did you test your water parimeters toxicchloe? if so, what were the readings?

the only thing with using those, is once you stop, the cloudyness will be back it wont cycle your tank as the bacteria isnt self sustaining....LFS tend to give so much information and 3/4 of it is just to make them money....the only bacteria ive seen that really does cycle the tank is tetra safestart..but its not available for many members....in the meantime, you can do water changes to get the cycle completed...

I hope things look up soon! ! but dont assume clear water means cycled tank...its not always the case