Slightly Cloudy? Any Suggestions?

Hey everyone so I have a 20 gallon high with 5 tiger barbs, 2 corydoras, and one small pleco. The water is slightly cloudy and I'm wondering if its just a small bacterial bloom if so how long do you think it will last. Or over stocking and the tank is dirty. I have had the tank for 3 months now and it is all the way cycled 2 tigers were added a week ago. Also I am running two aqua tech filters 1 is a 20- 40 and the other is a 5 to 15. Any suggestions would help. Can't really see it in the picture buts there's a slight cloudiness even after a water change yesterday

 

Maby your tank is not sucked enough also did you use water conditioner if not please put some in

 

Maby your tank is not sucked enough also did you use water conditioner if not please put some in

Sucked enough? You need to get rid of the corydoras first as they need groups of six and need room to swim! Which your tall doesn't provide. Second what kind of pleco? Common?

 

You don’t need to get rid of you corydoras, 6 is recommended, corydoras are actually an okay addition to a 10 gallon so you’re fine there, the slight cloudiness if only 3 months old is most likely an algae bloom which is a good sign at this stage. One question is, is your tank by a window?

 

You don’t need to get rid of you corydoras, 6 is recommended, corydoras are actually an okay addition to a 10 gallon so you’re fine there, the slight cloudiness if only 3 months old is most likely an algae bloom which is a good sign at this stage. One question is, is your tank by a window?

A 20 tall isn't recommend for a beginner. There isn't enough length for them to be swimming. So yes you do need to get rid of them.

 

Sucked enough? You need to get rid of the corydoras first as they need groups of six and need room to swim! Which your tall doesn't provide. Second what kind of pleco? Common?

Sorry not sucked cycled

 

If it's a bacteria bloom, those usually go away in a day and you'll see a sharp rise in your nitrates.

If it's an altar bloom, the cloudiness will continue and eventually take on a greenish cast.

Cloudy water can also be an indicator of high ammonia. If it's high ammonia, your fish will begin hiding in the highest or lowest corners depending on their species and will start keeping their fins clamped.

You didn't put any parameters in your post but you might want to test your parameters to make sure your ammonia and nitrates are ok. If those are fine, then you'll probably want to just wait 24 hours and see if it clears up. If it does, test the nitrates again just in case it is a bacteria bloom which will sometimes spike your nitrates.

 

I suspect the pleco is the cause of the slightly cloudy water. While you have the filtration (barely) it still not enough for the pleco as they are mass producers of ammonia.

I would look to get rid of the pleco. That might help reduce the cloudiness.

 

I suspect the pleco is the cause of the slightly cloudy water. While you have the filtration (barely) it still not enough for the pleco as they are mass producers of ammonia.

I would look to get rid of the pleco. That might help reduce the cloudiness.

Oh plecos are definitely hard on the bioload.

However, as long as the pleco is a species that won't grow too large for a 20 gallon, then the op can easily keep the pleco as long as they modify their filters and add some live plants to deal with the increased bioload from the pleco.

That's what I did for my tank which is a 20 high and has a female betta, 4 mollies and a bn pleco (and 2 or 3 fry at pretty much all times thanks to my mollies). It took a little bit but I once I found the ways you can modify a filter to be more effective and my tank is moderately planted.

As long as you modify the tank for the higher bioload, the only concern with a pleco is its adult size.

 

Maby your tank is not sucked enough also did you use water conditioner if not please put some in

I have not tried will look into it

 

Sucked enough? You need to get rid of the corydoras first as they need groups of six and need room to swim! Which your tall doesn't provide. Second what kind of pleco? Common?

The Cory doras I picked up a couple weeks ago and were waiting to pick up to more the pleco is a common pleco anning to get a bigger tank or rehoming him when the time comes.

 

Can you post your test results? My tank was cloudy and the nitrites were 1.00(Perfectly fine now)

 

You don’t need to get rid of you corydoras, 6 is recommended, corydoras are actually an okay addition to a 10 gallon so you’re fine there, the slight cloudiness if only 3 months old is most likely an algae bloom which is a good sign at this stage. One question is, is your tank by a window?

Okay cool thanks and it is near a window but does not get any sunlight

 

Are you going to test your parameters or not?

 

It’s a bacterial bloom. It will go away after a few days.

 

Are you going to test your parameters or not?

Hey, give the OP time to test.

 

Hey, give the OP time to test.

I am. I'm just worried for the tank

 

I am. I'm just worried for the tank

I really appreciate your concern and I'm sure my fish friends appreciate it as well

My ph is 6.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrates are 30