Why is my water hazy? It's driving me nuts!

Ok, so here is the background. My tank has been cycled since June 4. I do 25-30 percent water changes and vaccume the sand usually twice/week. I test my water before doing water changes and they are usually fine (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10-20 nitrates) with one exception which I get to in a minute.

In June 10, I changed from gravel to pool filter sand. I rinsed the sand well and did not have problems with cloudy water after about a day. The tank also remained cycled.

On June 29, I started to notice that my water looked cloudy/hazy. Nothing major, it just was not as crystal clear as it used to be. I tested my water and learned my ammonia was a little high (.25) my nitrites were high (.25), my nitrates were about 5.0, and my PH was very low, less than 6.0.

I started adding crushed coral to my filter, my ph began to rise and my tank cycled again.

However, I've noticed that my tank does not seem to be a crystal clear anymore. The water always seems to be slightly hazy and it's drivng me nuts!

Since the ph crash, I keep crushed coral in my filter. I usually change it out every 3-4 weeks. Could the crushed coral be responsible for the hazy water? I've been having this problem for the past few months. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Did you add the sand into the water? Did you replace the old filther with a new filter?

 

Did you add the sand into the water? Did you replace the old filther with a new filter?

No, I took the fish out, drained the tank and added the sand. I have not replaced a filter. I rinse my sponges in old aquarium water.

 

Are you aware you have to stir the sand about once a week, just before you vac? Otherwise particles get trapped in the sand and cause spikes in ammonia/nitrites. That may be your problem. Also, sometimes fairly new tanks get a bacterial bloom. It should clear up soon if that's the case.

 

There's no reason to change out the coral, just top it off occasionally.

As to the haze, what color?

 

Are you aware you have to stir the sand about once a week, just before you vac? Otherwise particles get trapped in the sand and cause spikes in ammonia/nitrites. That may be your problem. Also, sometimes fairly new tanks get a bacterial bloom. It should clear up soon if that's the case.

Yes, I stir the sand when I do water changes so I can vacuum as much debrie as possible. I think it's been in my tank too long for it to be bacterial bloom.

 

There's no reason to change out the coral, just top it off occasionally.

As to the haze, what color?

Thanks, I won't change the coral. The haze does not really have a color. Its not green. It's just hazy. When I look at the water, I don't say "wow, that water is crystal clear." its not clear.

 

You could add a secondary filter temporarily and see if that clears it up. My fishsitter overfed and it took me a few days and a second filter to clear the water after that -_-;; Mine was kind of a colorless hazy, too.

 

You could add a secondary filter temporarily and see if that clears it up. My fishsitter overfed and it took me a few days and a second filter to clear the water after that -_-;; Mine was kind of a colorless hazy, too.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm already way over filtered! I have 2 HOBs (aquaclear 70 & fluval C4) and a Rena xp3 canister. I just did another water change, moved the rocks and vacuumed a bunch of poop. I'm beginning to wonder if it's the sand. It just looks like tiny particles suspended in the water.

 

Do you have any filter floss in your canister? This can sometimes help too. Did you rinse the coral before you added it? Crushed coral will cause your water to be hazy for a little while. Especially if you were changing it so often.

 

Do you have any filter floss in your canister? This can sometimes help too. Did you rinse the coral before you added it? Crushed coral will cause your water to be hazy for a little while. Especially if you were changing it so often.

Yes, I have filter floss in 2 of my filters and I rinse the coral before adding it to the filter.