On going problem with an unclear tank

[StIcKy~RiCe]

If it's bacteria bloom then adding a UV steralizer can help it to stay cleared up.

I sometimes experience a bacteria bloom when I do a large water change. It used to take a day or two to fully clear up but I recently added a SunSun canister filter that has a built in UV steralizer and if I have a bacteria bloom now it is usually cleared up in an hour or two. I can't say for sure that the UV is the difference but it seems coincidental that this started happening when I added it so I am willing to go ahead and say it works.

Exactly what I did to mine.

I have similar problem last few weeks. I've been keeping fish over 15years i've never ran into cloudy fish tank before. until last month. I have 4 FX6 running and i never ever have any problem, until I cleaned 2 of my FX6 . Even when I cleaned with the water from the tank, with this I encounter bacteria bloom. I notice right away after a couple of days when my tank never clear up.

- Adding new or more filters wont help

- doing water change, 30,50,80% wont help

- shutting light off all day wont help.

- adding all kind of softner or any kind of chemical to clear up the water wont help.

My tank been running cloudy for a month until I gave up. I finally order UV ster 36 watt turbo twist. I installed it, next day it clear up 50%, by the end of the week it clear up 80%. Then I did 30% water cha

 

[carbene]

this seems common among tanks with only canister filters.

 

[ragin_cajun]

Sorry what stuff does it add for the bacteria? I've never heard this before so I'm curious.
Thanks

http://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/aquarium-water-quality/cloudy-aquarium-water/

"Changing large amounts of cloudy aquarium water with clear dechlorinated tap water may temporarily clear a tank somewhat, but unless the levels or organic materials are reduced, the fast multiplying heterotrophic bacteria will quickly return causing a new bacterial bloom. Within hours, the new tank water will be cloudy and hazy white again."

"Cloudy water" is not enough info for us to give you good advice. It could be tank cycling, it could be a bacterial bloom as described in the article I linked to. It could be as simple as sediment in your tap water.

Here's another one--" Water changes will probably not clear the cloudiness as when you remove the free-floating heterotrophic bacteria, the others will reproduce more to compensate. Given the reproduction rate of the heterotrophs, it would require a 50% water change every 15 - 20 minutes just to stop the bloom getting worse, and even more if you want to make any progress towards clearing the bloom." from the following site.... http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/246850-bacterial-blooms-explained/

I had it once a couple years back, water changes didn't help at all. I read a couple articles similar to the ones I quoted, and got pretty discouraged. So I just did nothing, kept the tank clean, fed a little bit less, and it just went away.

I don't know enough about your particular filters, but I would strongly recommend that you buy BIG canisters for your tank. WAY more than you need. I have a 2262 on a 125 gallon tank--way too much, but I have nice looking water and no bacterial blooms. I also don't have plants in the 125 anymore, either. That probably had something to do with my bloom.

I don't think you need a UV sterilizer to get past this, but I agree it'll probably clear your water--if you size the UV right, and if you have basic filtration correct, and the tank is truly cycled. But if you do the other two, the water will clear too. Just give it some time. UV's are kinda pricey.

 

[butchie]

http://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/aquarium-water-quality/cloudy-aquarium-water/

"Changing large amounts of cloudy aquarium water with clear dechlorinated tap water may temporarily clear a tank somewhat, but unless the levels or organic materials are reduced, the fast multiplying heterotrophic bacteria will quickly return causing a new bacterial bloom. Within hours, the new tank water will be cloudy and hazy white again."

"Cloudy water" is not enough info for us to give you good advice. It could be tank cycling, it could be a bacterial bloom as described in the article I linked to. It could be as simple as sediment in your tap water.

Here's another one--" Water changes will probably not clear the cloudiness as when you remove the free-floating heterotrophic bacteria, the others will reproduce more to compensate. Given the reproduction rate of the heterotrophs, it would require a 50% water change every 15 - 20 minutes just to stop the bloom getting worse, and even more if you want to make any progress towards clearing the bloom." from the following site.... http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/246850-bacterial-blooms-explained/

I had it once a couple years back, water changes didn't help at all. I read a couple articles similar to the ones I quoted, and got pretty discouraged. So I just did nothing, kept the tank clean, fed a little bit less, and it just went away.

I don't know enough about your particular filters, but I would strongly recommend that you buy BIG canisters for your tank. WAY more than you need. I have a 2262 on a 125 gallon tank--way too much, but I have nice looking water and no bacterial blooms. I also don't have plants in the 125 anymore, either. That probably had something to do with my bloom.

I don't think you need a UV sterilizer to get past this, but I agree it'll probably clear your water--if you size the UV right, and if you have basic filtration correct, and the tank is truly cycled. But if you do the other two, the water will clear too. Just give it some time. UV's are kinda pricey.

Appreciate the references, that makes sense now. Although they did mention that tap water could contain an organic load I would think/hope that would be rare. The underlying issue seems to be that it is just not useful to just do water changes which I would totally agree with. I guess when I think of water changes I am thinking more of using a vac to remove organic waste and detritus more than just the dilution effect of adding fresh water. This would be useful in most of the common mistakes through the years I have seen. Honestly patience and adding sponge filters to reduce overall organic load in the tank is probably the easiest solution. Adding a large canister as you suggested or the UV filters as others suggested would almost certainly be the quickest solutions. (assuming it is a stocking/overfeeding issue leading to a bacterial bloom.) I am dealing with a similar situation right now although it does not take a chemist/ marine biologist to diagnose my issues lol. I added 2 large synspilum to an inadequately cycled 60 gallon temporarily and I am paying the price with water changes, adding filters, etc.. The main thing that is worrisome is the O2 consumption by the bacteria. Need to aerate aggressively and watch the fish closely for signs of distress.