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![]() Dragon
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![]() Ever experienced water cloudiness? Guess what? You are not alone. All hobbyists have experienced cloudy water in their aquarium tank at some stage. So just what are the reasons that cause cloudy water in aquarium tanks? Water clarity is usually related to age of the tank, as well as the level of care and maintenance provided. This article will help you identify the possible causes, along with some prevention tips and recommendations. Residue from Rocks, Gravels & Substrates Rocks, gravels and substrates have residues even when they are new from its packaging. Despite stating that they are “suitable for immediate use” on its packaging, it is always recommended for all gravels and substrates to be rinsed before use. “Suitable for immediate use” just means that no additional curing process is required; rinsing is still required. If you are still experiencing cloudy water after the rocks, gravels and substrates are rinsed thoroughly, bacteria bloom could be the reason for it. Cause(s):
Bacterial Bloom A. Bacteria Bloom in New Aquarium Bacterial bloom is a common situation experienced by hobbyists when setting up new aquariums, as it occurs during the early stages of the tank cycling process. During this process, beneficial bacteria build up in order to consume the ammonia being produced, hence causing the water to be milky. This cloudiness is caused by free floating beneficial bacteria which are not harmful for your fishes, and should go away when they settle down – usually takes about 1-2 days. Note: Should your fishes be gasping for air at the water surface during this period, you can either conduct a 50% water change to reduce the amount of bacteria, or increase the supply of dissolved oxygen (e.g. introducing air pump). Cause(s):
If fishes are introduced,
Note: If fishes are observed to be gasping for air at the water surface, conduct water change or increase air supply. If fishes are not yet introduced, B. Bacteria Bloom Due To Sudden Increase in Nutrient Levels The introduction of big quantities of new fishes to your aquarium tank or heavy feeding, even after tank cycling, will increase the nutrient levels causing ammonia and nitrite level to spike up. Ammonia and nitrite spikes can be deadly for your fish. Beneficial bacteria multiply rapidly to cope with the additional organic waste being produced, which in turn cause the water to appear cloudy. The cloudiness usually last about 1-2 days till the water condition is stabilized. Introduce new fish gradually to reduce the impact in your aquarium tank. Cause(s):
C. Bacteria Bloom Due To Restart of Beneficial Bacteria Colony The beneficial bacteria colony residing in your tank can be removed, or even wiped out due to the following reasons:
Cause(s):
D. Bacteria Bloom Due To Filtration System Shutdown or New Filter/Filter Medium The tank water may also turn milky if the filtration system is being restarted after a long shutdown. The lack of water movement during these long shutdowns causes oxygen to deplete, which results in beneficial bacteria dying off and eventually turning the water milky. Replacing your existing filter/filter medium will also result in bacteria bloom as the beneficial bacteria colony will attempt to rebuild itself when this occurs, causing the aquarium water to be cloudy. Cause(s):
Other filters (established tanks)
Algae Bloom Whenever we see green cloudy water in your aquarium, it definitely means one thing – excessive floating algae growth. A. Too Much Light Like most aquatic plants, light encourages growth. This is usually caused by the aquarium being exposed to direct sunlight, or leaving the aquarium lights on for too long. Avoiding the placing of aquariums directly under sunlight and reducing the amount of time the lights are on will help solve the issue. Cause(s):
B. Excess Nutrients Nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates, supports algae growth. The possible sources of these additional nutrients includes decaying matters from uneaten fish food, fish excretes, dead fish and water source. Water change needs to be conducted as soon as possible to provide immediate relief, followed by removing the source of decay from the aquarium to completely resolve the problem. Providing good quality food in appropriate amount will prevent overfeeding and reduce fish wastes. Cause(s):
IN CONCLUSION From beginners to pros, it is inevitable for fishkeeping hobbyists to encounter cloudy water. Rather than feeling baffled on the causes, it is always good for aquarists to know learn and understand the possible causes, prevention and solutions for cloudy aquarium water. This will better prepare you when encountering similar situations. Last edited by Qian Hu; 02-02-2018 at 03:15 PM. Reason: Update formatting and URL |
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