fluval fx5- tank cloudy

[janev]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have 2 tanks one is 90 gals and doing great.
The other is 245 gals. I have been having problems with it since I had my handyman clean it.

My water is very cloudy. I have done four 1/3 water changes since he clean the fluval fx5.

I do have a big bioload. one 8" fly river turtle, 1 large percostomus, 12 gourmai, 7 rainbow fish, 5 paroon sharks (little ones), 2 griaffe catfish, 1 ? catfish, 6 clown loach, 6 large tin foil barbs & 3 small jewell ciclids.

Went to the LFS says NO3 is high and ph is 8. no nitrate or ammonia.

Says need more biologial filtration.

Bought some ceramic rings from LFS and put it into the fx5.

Did another water change, and when I turned on the fx5 it blew in more krud into the tank.

Could their be something wrong with the fluval? it seems to be working like before except now it is blowing crap back into my tank.



I want to scream.

Please help

Need some advice.

Thanks

 

[Aussienative]

new ceramic rings will usually cloud the tank for a day or so...

 

[turbid]

how is the filter set up? maybe you need to add some floss at the top to trap teh smaller particles, however it will increase maintenance intervals

 

[navygirl76]

you said you have no nitrates? (i think you meant you have no nitrItes lol) NO3 is nitrates.. you should have no ammonia, no nitrItes and some nitrAtes (ppl usually shoot to keep that under 40 ppm) . so you mean your nitrAtes are high?

both of my FX5s will blow crap back into the tank after i turn them back on so thats normal..

If all you have on that tank is just one FX5 you may need something else. I have a 180 gallon with an FX5 AND a sump underneath.. its stocked with about 40 mbuna. im betting you need another canister on that bad boy..

 

[joey02]

I also think extra filtration is needed. maybe another fx5. your handyman most likely killed all or most of the BB in the filter when he cleaned it. so now your tank is probely having a mini cycle.

 

[janev]

You are right, my handyman probably killed all the bb in the fx5 and the tank is cycling.

I guess it serves me right for letting someone else clean my tank.
I hope Santa will get me another fx5... or something else like it.


I prefer to have 2 filters working at time like my 90 gal.

Today went to the LFS and bought a gallon of water conditioner to do a small water change.

Thanks