Hey what's up guys (and girls). I've watched this site and surfed the threads for a while now, but have recently decided to become an active member. I love everything about this site. I have been an active aquarist for about three years with several tanks and setups, from small to fairly large. Ultimately I decided to to focus on one tank with monster fish!!! OH NO!!!! ...... This has been pain-staking and emotionally rewarding. I like my fish more than my dog, but I wouldn't tell him that. Anyway, I still have a tremendous amount to learn, hopefully not the hard way, which is how I've had the pleasure of learning some things already. While I'm not an idiot (at least I don't think so), I did start this venture with a bit of nievity due mostly to excitment and overzealousness. Okay so now to the core. I have a SA RTC and an oxdoras niger (or whatever you want to call it). So far these guys are great. Healthy as a horse and starting to look like a sausage in my tank. To date everything has been fine, clear water and safe levels, but for about a week now I haven't been able to clear up the water. Its just a Mississippi mud brown color, very murky. I've done a water change everynight for about four days and I'm filtering in order through large porous sponge, small porous, carbon, and buffer material. Until now, evertime my water clouded up and started turning brown, I've cleaned the filter media, filter, tank, and done a water change, and whithin 24 hours my water was crystal clear again. What now is this problem? Could I be to the point of underfiltering? Possibly, but why so sudden? Any ideas would be appreciated but most of all I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I'm very happy to be here, and hope to contribute to the best of my ability with the knowledge I possess. THANKS
Hello Everyone
- Thread starter DieSolo
- Start date
Hi and welcome to the site. Have you done a test on your water? what size tank and filter are you using? Does the tank smell funny and how much and how often do you do water changes? Sorry for all the questions just trying to get an idea of the situation.
No problem. Thanks for responding, I just didn't want to make the post any longer than it was. My ammonia and nitrites were a little high, nitrates are zero. The water smells a little funny but not much more than usual. It has smelled horrid a couple times in the past, lol, my girlfriend loved that one. The fish (2) are about 12" long give or take and right now I have them in a 150 gallon tank with 2 fluval 406 canisters. I do feel like I'm under filtering, but with regular maintenance its been great thus far.
welcome to mfk..... good that here and active.. your going to learn alot.. just ask and all the answers will come.. nice to meet you
Welcome to MFK! Best to repost your question under the General Aquaria Discussion section. How big is your tank? You must at least have a turnover of at least 4 times per hour. Your water could also be leaking tannins from driftwood which can be resolved with activated carbon. Lastly, the RTC should be housed in at least 4,000 gallons of a pond. If you are not prepared to do that, you will have a lot of problems in the future.
