Drew04

I did a partial water change yesterday, as I do each weekend. However, this water change resulted in cloudy water once everything settled. I do this every weekend and the water settles crystal clear, not this time!?

About 30% water change (10 gals from a 35 gal tank). I wasn't planning on removing that much water but I was vacuuming the gravel and getting alot of junk up.

I treated the replacement water correctly and added aquarium salt and plant food (iron supplement) as well as some bacteria supplement as directed on each product. All recommend adding during water changes.

One other note, I replaced the bio-bag in my filter. Maybe this is what caused it. The old filter was clogged with gunk and the water was no longer passing through it. New bio-bag with new carbon inserted (ran under cold water first, then rinsed in aquarium water)

Any ideas? How long will this last?

My gf is having an avon party tomorrow and was proud to show off our tank and fish, but now it looks like with the cloudy water.

thanks in advance for any answers

TheJimsterness

changing the filter floss probably put your tank in a mini-cycle
you never want to vacuum all your gravel AND change the bag

Here's what you do: every week vacuum half the gravel and rinse out the bag in the water you take out
that way you always have a base of beneficial bacteria and the filter won't be so clogged

dancerhas

I've stopped replacing my bag-style filter cartridges. I just rinse under dechlorinated water, and replace the carbon every so often. That way no worries about a mini-cycle, and I save a bundle cause all I have to buy is activated carbon. It's easy to get the bag open, the top-fin type just pop open on top then you pull out the plastic frame, dump the old carbon in the trash, pour some new carbon in and reassemble.

Cloudiness usually lasts for a few days. That's been my experience.

ShaynaB

Welcome to Fishlore!

It could possibly be the bio bag.

I never never never replace my filter pads. (Unless they're deteriorating)

I rinse them in old tank water, as running them under tap water will kill the bacteria on them.

When I have a bucket full of tank water, I take the pad out and swish it around in the old tank water, then stick it back in.

That way you save bacteria and no cloudy water.

Also, a lot of people on here recommend not using carbon unless you're getting rid of medications from the water. What I've learned to do was to buy a big package of filter floss and cut it to size so that I didn't waste money on filter pads.

Do you test your water? If so, can you post the numbers? You could be in a mini cycle. Testing should show that.

Unfortunately, when I have cloudy water it seems to last a bit. The only time I have ever experienced cloudy water though is when I start up a new tank. It gets cloudy and then I wake up one day and it's all clear.

Sorry, that was long! :-)

Lucy

What bacterial suppliment are you using? Opinion differ on them.
In a properly cycled tank, these shouldn't be necessary.

dancerhas

Why shouldn't you use carbon? Just not necessary? Seems like fishkeeping is getting cheaper and cheaper for me, lol!

Lucy

Carbon expires and when it does it can release toxins it's collected back into your water.
Many of the members only use it when we need to filter out meds.

ShaynaB

Lucy hit it on the head.

Carbon has a purpose, and I keep a filter pad with carbon around for when I need to get medications out of the water.

Other than that, I just use filter floss.

So much cheaper and it's easier to use anyways!

Drew04

Learn something new everyday!

So, I guess I forced a mini-cycle huh?

Should I remove the angelfish until it re-cycles or are they hardy enough?

Drew04

My filter has the bag and a piece of coarse spongy foam. I was under the assumption that this is what held the bacteria, while the bag just filtered the nasty out.

I replaced the bag but did not replace the foam

Lucy

Without knowing if you were cycled prior to this and what your readings are now, it's hard to say.

Drew04

yes, it was cycled but I need a full test kit for readings. I have an ammonia reader attached to the inside glass and it reads 0. My pH is high 8-8.5 and I use a ph regulator/conditioner when I do water changes.

I do not have nitrate/nitrite numbers to post

Lucy

I wouldn't be so sure you're in a mini cycle. You'd have ammonia readings.
In my opinion just replacing the bag but leaving the sponge in place shouldn't cause a mini cycle.
I've vacuumed and replaced the cartridge and it never effected my levels.
I'm still not sure why you would need a bacterial supplement in a cycled tank.

I'm sorry, I know this doesn't help with your original cloudiness question.

jdhef

It could be the bacteria suppliment that is causing the cloudiness. Generally, cloudiness is caused by either a bacteria bloom or an algae bloom

catbtony

Have you ever used a product called [COLOR="Red"]"Purigen" [/color]I get it from Foster&Smith- it removes soluble and in-soluble impurities from the water. It will clear your water, help with ammonia, nitrites, nitrates it will polish your water and is easy to re-charge with a bleach bath just follow the directions on the box. I use one on my guppy and Oscar tank. I just place it in my aquaclear and emperor filters and when it turns brown I re-charge, I keep 2 on hand to change out every month or so just when it turn brown-I have had great results with it