Is it my filter or a Bacteria Bloom

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Christian B Staller

Christian B Staller

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2018
9
0
1
Southern California
First, post, I hope I get this right - seems to be a great forum...Below is my tank setup, Freshwater, Community Style, Planted w/CO2. Levels are all good. Started this tank about 6 weeks ago from scratch...

About 3 weeks ago I noticed the tank was starting to get cloudy (white/gray) and I was starting to get algae forming on the rocks, substrate and Moapi wood (soaked for about 2 months prior). Did a fishless start 6 weeks ago, with Seachem Stability and then added some fish about 4 weeks in to kickstart, which seems to have worked. I am using AlgaeFix to clear up the algae, but it's still there, hasn't completely stopped. Plants also have some Algae on the leaves but are growing well. CO2 is on for 11 hours - going to drop that to 9 hours. The room gets natural light, but not direct. I am doing 25% water changes about 1/week. That helps along with Seachem Clarity and it will stay "clear" (NOT crystal) for almost the week...1.5 weeks ago I changed the Carbon Pad per the FX4 maintenance interval...and I added a white Fluval Polishing Pad...I also did a basic rinse of the other material using aquarium water. There is NO Carbon, Perigen, or any type of chemical filters going on...

We did another water change 2 days ago and replaced the polishing pad, as per the directions (they only last about a week) and replaced it with Fluval Blue polishing pad...This time the water isn't clearing and I have not added the Clarity this time...

I am also treating the tank with Seachem Paraguard, as I noticed a couple of my Barbs look like they have a mild case of Ich, with some white spots, so as soon as I noticed it, I started treating the tank to knock it out before it affect any other fish.

Question(s): Is my perpetual cloudiness a bacteria bloom from when I disturbed the filter by replacing the Carbon Pad and adding the Polishing pad, and now my tank is repopulating...as such, should I wait it out? Is it possible my FX4 is under-sized (rated for up to 250 gal, so I think it's good), although I don't think that will help with the bacteria bloom, but may be. Should I install a UV system?

Any suggestions by you pro's would be much appreciated, I would like to have crystal clear water...just can't seem to get there. Recommendation on % water changes and how often with a newly cycled tank of this size? Should I add more Stability to help repopulate bacteria to a sizeable level?​

125 Gallon Glass, LED Lights 8500 Lumens 2500K, 10 Hours Lights/Day, 300W Heater set to 81.

Fluval FX 4, 850 GPH Powerhead for Aeration. I have a couple of airstones but don't really need it.

CO2 Injection for the plants - ALL planted and seem to be doing well...dose about 1-2x per week NPK.

Today Water Chemistry Levels:
pH: 7.1-7.3, Ammonia: 0.0-0.125 ppm, Nitrite 0.0, Nitrate: 10-20 ppm, Temp 81, kH: 8, Phosphates: 0.0

Community Style Fish:
  • (3) Siamese Algae Eaters
  • (10) Tiger Barbs
  • (12) Neon Tetra
  • (5) Red Eye Tetra
  • (1) Small platinum Angel
  • (4) Sword Tails
  • (1) Shark

Tank and FX4 Filter.jpg
 
I think an FX4 is a bit small for that tank, but not dramatically. Really should take the size range filters claim they're for and divide them in half. More likely you're still cycling, it's normal for such a new tank to go through a cloudy phase.

You might also be overdosing on the nutrients, you look like you don't really have many plants to use them. Miiight, cause some clouding if it's built up heaps.
 
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Drop the temps, 81 is a bit high, no? All my fish thrive in 75deg.

But the high temp is to fight the ick right?
 
Last edited:
Christian B Staller said:
Correct, just to fight the Ich. I am starting on the 50% water changes today.

Any one using TCM UV systems for Clarity and Level I disinfection?
Click to expand...

I also added Seachem Clarity last night and it didn't help. This is definitely a bacteria bloom.

I also plan to add Seachem Stability and the Paraguard (want to break the Ich cycle, so I will continue that for the next week) during each 50% weekly change...I also add Seachem Prime before I add the new water to dechlorinate.
 
Christian B Staller said:
Correct, just to fight the Ich. I am starting on the 50% water changes today.

Any one using TCM UV systems for Clarity and Level I disinfection?
Click to expand...

Welcome to MFK, Christian!

It’s best IMO to leave a bloom as is. The tank will right itself eventually. Using anything to clear it up can often times mask a more serious issue that one should know about. UV is a great way to kill single cell algae but a bacterial bloom should be monitored as is.
 
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Most bacteria are in the 1 micron or less size, there aren't really any filters that work to clear a tank of something that size, they just pass thru. Many new tanks go thru a bacterial bloom when first started, and many of these are benefial heterotrophs that feed on detritus. Once at equilibrium, the haze disappears.
Some of us actually add probiotic additives (like Rid-X) to filters to encourage growth of these types more desirable strains of bacteria.
Because they outcompete the less desirable ones. .
 
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I would agree this can be normal for new setups I think your tank needs more time to mature.
Not to sure on % of water change as the tank is new setup and the fish you got shouldn’t be a huge bio load on your tank I wouldn’t normally do massive water changes.
 
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