Bacterial Bloom ?

[Gil]

Hi
Had some help at live help - thanks to you all.

Set-up as follows:
48x12x18" tank.
Nutrifin (test tube kits) show Ammonia @ 0.6 and Nitrate @ 0
This set up just over 2 months.
2 x internal filters (larger than need) aerated - max

Situation:
A neon died 2 days ago, could not find it until yesterday (looked really hard too)
Thought best to change 25% water and wash filters (in tank water).
This morning water cloudy suggestion bacterial bloom.
Expected water tests to be bad but still fine (as above)
S/Fighter, catfish & gourami's seem fine (labyrinth?) but the angels, golden loach and neon gasping at the waters surface.
If a bacterial bloom I can live with but I can't understand gasping if aeration on max and test levels fine.
Any advise would be appreciated.
TIA
David

 

[Lenna]

If the bacteria/algae are aerobic they will be consuming all the oxygen in the water. This would be what's causing the fish to gasp for breathe. I'm not sure what you can do to reduce the bloom, maybe someone who's had one before can help, but you need to get it out of your water.

 

[crazie.eddie]

What are the models of the internal filters? I'm concerned you have insufficient filtration. Is the cloudiness white (bacterial bloom) or green (algae bloom). What are the nitrite and chlorine levels?

 

[Gil]

Thanks for your replies so far.

Sorry I said Nitrate I meant Nitrite levels are 0. I have no test for chlorine but used bioactive tapsafe as usual.

Filters are 1x Fluval 3+ and 1x Fluval2+

This morning the Angels and loach are working overtime in their breathing but off the surface. Water still cloudy.
Will get some filter aid and bacteria boost this morning.
TIA

 

[Gil]

Is the cloudiness white (bacterial bloom) or green (algae bloom).

White, very white.

 

[Gil]

Update:
Purchased some Bactozym tablets (benifical bacteria), active carbon and filter aid this morning.
Put the tablets in the filters together with the carbon.
Added filter aid. (noticed it even says on the pack 'to clear white clouding caused by bacterial blooms')
No water change.
No food.
By lunchtime this afternoon there was no more gasping (no they had not all died ) water still cloudy but the fish seem happy
Just another question when adding the bactozym tablets I note it says 'water may become slightly cloudy due to the increased bacterial activity' So then, what is the definition of a bacterial bloom?
TIA
David