Losing Battle Against Bacterial Bloom

[tetratank]

Hello peoples,

I need some urgent help as I am now ready to give up this hobby. I've had this set up running for 3 years. Had 2 months where I didn't do any water changes or any maitenance on the tank. Too much going on so the poor tank didn't get it's regular maintenaince. Everyone was happy, water clear, nothing wrong until I DID maintenace and now regret what I have done.

I did my gravel clean, but obviously went too vigourously and created a bacterial bloom. I could not stop the water from going white over the next few days. No matter how many water changes I did, Monday before last, I woke up to hear my very large Angel slapping herself against the top of the glass. The tank looked like someone had poured milk into it. At this point I filled a bucket of water with neutraliser and got her in along with the surviving corydoras, harlequins and bristlenose. All the rummynoses died as did the cardinals.
I have tried everything between then and now to fix this problem. After 2 days of the tank just doing the same thing, I asked my fish shop to take my fish until I get this sorted. My kids would be devasted if we lost the corys and Angel.

I cleaned everything thinking I will have to start again. I mean everything too, and dried it all out in the sun. Changed the rocks aswell. Everything was new bar the carbon, as I didn't have anymore. I rinsed this and dried it. Filled up the tank and ran it with just the new rocks and the filter equipment. Within 2 days the ph was terribly alkaline and there was ammonia 0.25. Only a smidge of it, but why There were no plants or fish or anything in there bar the new rocks.......

Water change again, but still the cloudy water persists. It's not severe, but it is increasing and I am doing daily water changes. I really don't know what to do. I have had a pretty good 3 years with this set upOnly one itch issue to speack of that was fixed in 2 weeks. This has got me.

Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Thanks heaps

 

[tetratank]

Just to add to my post, I live in Australia and the ph in my area is pretty neutral.

I have just done a complete 'gut' of the tank once more. Cleaned absolutely everything! Talk about cycling all over again. If anyone can offer some help I would really appreciate it.

Oh and not new to having fish as I have had them my whole life, just new to cloudy water, never had this before and new to this bacterial bloom distaster..

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons or litres is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

You over cleaned the tank sending into into a mini cycle.
Did you wash the filter sponges in tap water.

Throw the black carbon away it no good once it dried out.
Also carbon only affective for 2 to 9 days.
You have to replace it every 4 to 6 weeks. Also using it all the time is a complete waste of money, as it only affective for removing meds.

Just water changes, and increase aeration.
No more cleaning of the tank. Only the filter floss wants rinsing once a week.


Once the tanks cycled gravel vac and water change once a week.

Milky substance on fish can be due to bad water quality, ph shock, parasites.

 

[tetratank]

Hi Wilder,

Thanks for your reply.

How many gallons or litres is the tank. 80 litres
How many fish and which type. 4 x neon tetras, rest are at the fish shop.
Water stats in ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, 0 and ph 7.4

You over cleaned the tank sending into into a mini cycle. I know, too thorough after a long time.
Did you wash the filter sponges in tap water. Not initially, a week after the gravel vac as by this time the tank was already cloudy.

Throw the black carbon away it no good once it dried out. Done and replaced. Sponge replaced too.
Also carbon only affective for 2 to 9 days.
You have to replace it every 4 to 6 weeks. Also using it all the time is a complete waste of money, as it only affective for removing meds.

Just water changes, and increase aeration. Continue this daily? Have lowered water level to achieve higher aeration.
No more cleaning of the tank. Only the filter floss wants rinsing once a week.


Once the tanks cycled gravel vac and water change once a week.

Milky substance on fish can be due to bad water quality, ph shock, parasites. Fish have no milky substance. They look perfectly healthy. Tolerant little neons they are. The other fish (large Angel and corys etc) are all AOK at the pet store. Checked today on how they were doing, and all bright and happy.

 

[WILDER]

Bless them. Sounds like the lfs is taking good care of your fish for you.

Sorry I read it wrong. Milky tank, not milky fish.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Well until recently my tank would have an algae bloom after every water change which was generally 50%. I was talking to my local fish store owner and she told me to stop doing the 50% changes and cut back to 2 %25 water changes as week. WOW! what a difference the fish seem happier/more active and my water stays crystal clear! I would suggest taking a deep breath and letting the tank settle. Do 2 small water changes a week, once your tank seems under control go back and get your angel and corys.