Clouds Clouds Clouds

[pete28]

hi all if half worried and half scared heres the problem. i have a 45 g setup with an emperor 28 biowheel filter. the tank has been cycling for 2 weeks with fish that are verey healthy. i have a large piece of driftwood in the tank that has been boiled several times to remove tanins. my lfs told me that the white is bacteria that has not settled in the tank yet and that i should do small daily water changes but other than that to just leave the tank alone and the cloudiness will go away. I have african cichlids in the tank. i am very confused as too what i should do. all my levels are in good shape and the water temp is fine what should i do. my fish are all very healthy and look great i jut wish the clouds would go away because i dont want to add any chemicals to the tank. can anyone help?

Thanks Pete

 

[duendecillo]

I can't help you, but I have the same problem in one of my betta tanks. If you find a solution, please let me know? I'll be following this thread also ofcourse...

 

[BigSteve]

I'll bet your lfs is right. If your filtration and aeration are alright, I'll bet
if you are patient your water will clear up.

 

[Nina7777]

Hey there,
Your cloudy water is definately due to a bacterial bloom.

your lfs is right, start doing 10-25% water changes with dechlorinated water every other day......even everyday untill the cloudiness goes away.


It will clear up in no time!

Also you mentioned you had african cichlids in the tank. I would suggest replacing the driftwood with tuffa rock, or another natural buffer. It will help to keep your ph at the right level, and will also keep your water crystal clear.

 

[Nidge]

I totally agree with nina, that happened to me with my first tank, i just kept doing water changes until it cleared up, i would say its a bacterial bloom, good luck

 

[tstenback]

Yup i agree with Nina7777. From what you have told us i would bet that you are in the high nitrite phase of the cycle and when the nitrites drop your tank will be crystal clear. Dont add any chemicals and do your water changes. Could you tell us what the levels are for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

 

[Lateral Line]

Bacterial blooms are quite common in cycling tanks, they usually sort themselves out.

>>> I would suggest replacing the driftwood with tuffa rock

If your cichlids are from the rift valley lakes, (a great many of the non specialist types are), then I would most certainly agree with this. The rift valley lakes contain hard, alkali water. Driftwood/Bogwood/xxxxwood, (xxxx insert whatever!), generally will to a greater or lesser extent reduce your pH, and soften your water.

 

[pete28]

thank you all for the wonderful and quick responses. i will remove the driftwood as soon as i get home this evening and i will begin my search for tuffa rock hopefully my lfs has some in stock. as far as the level readings i will take them again and post them. ill just continue what i am doing and hope for the best. will this in anyway be harmful to my beautiful fish

 

[duendecillo]

I guess you are all absolutely right, my nitrite is quite high...
glad it will sort itself out
just one question, are these the good bacterias? that break off the nitrites?

 

[Nina7777]

and i will begin my search for tuffa rock hopefully my lfs has some in stock.

You can also use limestone rock, most lfs have this in stock if not the tuffa rock. Also there is a great pinned article in the african cichlid forum, it has information as well as other ways to keep your PH stable at 8.0 or higher, which is what your african cichlids will prefer and do better in.

will this in anyway be harmful to my beautiful fish

The bacteria bloom will not harm your fish as long as you keep up with the daily water changes untill your levels get lower.

I guess you are all absolutely right, my nitrite is quite high...
glad it will sort itself out
just one question, are these the good bacterias? that break off the nitrites?

are your nitrIte levels high or are your nitrAtes level high? NitrAte is the good bacteria will breaks down the dangerous nitrIte and amonia. NitrAte can also be harmful to your fish but only if it is above 40. Once your water clears weekly water changes help to keep the NitrAte in check.