Cloudy Water - Is it my rocks/gravel?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been attempting to cycle this one particular tank for about a little over a week now and I’m noticing the water is still cloudy. Out of curiosity, I used my siphon and a bunch on debris from the gravel/rocks came up. Is this due to the cycle process, or is it actually because of the gravel I’m using?

To cycle my tank, ive been using Tetra Safe Start, and Seachem Prime. I’ve also been using fish food in a stocking to help encourage the growth of good bacteria.

Before using the siphon, the water parameters were:

*Note: I didn’t do a water change. I just used the siphon to stir up the gravel to see if there was any debris causing the cloudy water.


7.0 ph
7.4 range
0 ppm ammonia
0 ppm nitrite
0 ppm nitrate

This cycling process is tedious and, honestly a bit frustrating, but I’m hoping I’m doing it okay.

 

What brand of gravel are you using. Some gravels are a little more sandy and will do that.
The cloudiness could also be from the fish food you are using to cycle the tank and it could just be falling to the bottom?

 

Hey everyone,

I’ve been attempting to cycle this one particular tank for about a little over a week now and I’m noticing the water is still cloudy. Out of curiosity, I used my siphon and a bunch on debris from the gravel/rocks came up. Is this due to the cycle process, or is it actually because of the gravel I’m using?

To cycle my tank, ive been using Tetra Safe Start, and Seachem Prime. I’ve also been using fish food in a stocking to help encourage the growth of good bacteria.

Before using the siphon, the water parameters were:

*Note: I didn’t do a water change. I just used the siphon to stir up the gravel to see if there was any debris causing the cloudy water.


7.0 ph
7.4 range
0 ppm ammonia
0 ppm nitrite
0 ppm nitrate

This cycling process is tedious and, honestly a bit frustrating, but I’m hoping I’m doing it okay.

Did you rinse your gravel? You should rinse everything before putting it in the tank. Or it could be bacterial blossom.

 

What brand of gravel are you using. Some gravels are a little more sandy and will do that.
The cloudiness could also be from the fish food you are using to cycle the tank and it could just be falling to the bottom?

I’m using gravel from Exotic Pebbles. I was sure I rinsed them pretty good prior to setting up the tank, but maybe I didn’t rinse them as well as I thought?

Would the dissolved fish flakes make it passed the stocking material to make enough debris like that?

 

Did you rinse your gravel? You should rinse everything before putting it in the tank. Or it could be bacterial blossom.

Yes, I rinsed it until I no longer saw any sand or dirt in the colander.

 

Yes, I rinsed it until I no longer saw any sand or dirt in the colander.

Is your fish already in there?

 

Is your fish already in there?

No, there is no fish currently in the tank. I was trying to cycle the tank to eventually be able to put fish in it.

 

No, there is no fish currently in the tank. I was trying to cycle the tank to eventually be able to put fish in it.

Did you use water conditioner? Or anything like that to make tap water safe?

 

Did you use water conditioner? Or anything like that to make tap water safe?

Yes, I’m using Seachem Prime, and I also have a water conditioner from Top Fin.

 

Yes, I’m using Seachem Prime, and I also have a water conditioner from Top Fin.

I am not sure what else could be wrong. I am sorry.

 

I am not sure what else could be wrong. I am sorry.

No worries! Haha! I got stumped on this too. That’s why I’m here. Thank you so much for your help!