Hello all,
First off let me start by saying HI. Im a new member but not a new reader of all the great info on here. Im posting because i went through the search bar and found helpful items but not one that could maybe tell me where I went wrong.
So I have had my 45g tank running for about 5 months. I cycled it as normal for about a month with 2 fish (a pleco and a 1/2" barb) with a canister filter and got it established. Since then Iv added three 1" red bellies and one orange lobster. By the grace of the fish gods the Reds haven't even poked at the lobster or the barb or the pleco in the entire 5 months! They actually live in peace contrary to other members posts Iv read lol. With that said, let me explain my recent problem.
So after about 5.5 months of perfect clear water, I decided it was time to do a thorough cleaning of my tank and filter. I had been doing weekly 25% water changes leading up to this as the Reds are messy eaters.
I replaced the bottom filter media (various pads and such) and washed off the Bio balls at the top. (I think this may have been my first mistake as i might have rinsed off some of the good bacteria)??? After this point my water seems to have become a slight milky white color even 24 hours after a good water change. In the following two weeks, I got frustrated and did water changes twice a week hoping that would get rid of the milky-ness.
#1 I know that a slight milky color means a bacteria bloom, correct? I feel my over zealous filter cleaning may have got rid of some of the good bacteria that was keeping my water so clean?
#2 I got rid of a few live plants thinking they caused an algae bloom. I dont think that was the case as I put some new LIVE plants back in and it actually seems to be helping.
After talking to various fish ppl, It seems as the white milky color is bacteria. Could I have just reset my tanks bio filter by washing it or do you guys think there is something else im doing wrong? My substrate is not an issue. It was always washed and I dont have a crazy filter head stirring up debris.
First off let me start by saying HI. Im a new member but not a new reader of all the great info on here. Im posting because i went through the search bar and found helpful items but not one that could maybe tell me where I went wrong.
So I have had my 45g tank running for about 5 months. I cycled it as normal for about a month with 2 fish (a pleco and a 1/2" barb) with a canister filter and got it established. Since then Iv added three 1" red bellies and one orange lobster. By the grace of the fish gods the Reds haven't even poked at the lobster or the barb or the pleco in the entire 5 months! They actually live in peace contrary to other members posts Iv read lol. With that said, let me explain my recent problem.
So after about 5.5 months of perfect clear water, I decided it was time to do a thorough cleaning of my tank and filter. I had been doing weekly 25% water changes leading up to this as the Reds are messy eaters.
I replaced the bottom filter media (various pads and such) and washed off the Bio balls at the top. (I think this may have been my first mistake as i might have rinsed off some of the good bacteria)??? After this point my water seems to have become a slight milky white color even 24 hours after a good water change. In the following two weeks, I got frustrated and did water changes twice a week hoping that would get rid of the milky-ness.
#1 I know that a slight milky color means a bacteria bloom, correct? I feel my over zealous filter cleaning may have got rid of some of the good bacteria that was keeping my water so clean?
#2 I got rid of a few live plants thinking they caused an algae bloom. I dont think that was the case as I put some new LIVE plants back in and it actually seems to be helping.
After talking to various fish ppl, It seems as the white milky color is bacteria. Could I have just reset my tanks bio filter by washing it or do you guys think there is something else im doing wrong? My substrate is not an issue. It was always washed and I dont have a crazy filter head stirring up debris.
