Here's my theory, maybe a little clearer. The rotting food is breaking down. It is made up of proteins. These are being eaten by micro-organisms that are making your water cloudy. The pH is probably dropping because the bacteria are breathing and releasing CO2. This would not cause an ammonia spike if you already have a srong bioload of nitrifying bacteria. What you are witnessing is a bloom of an entirely different suite of bacteria. Do water changes and make sure there is nothing left rotting in the tank. Throw some air stones on there for good measure. Are your fish gasping or breathing heavily?
Help me theorize about my cloudy water/fish behaviour
- Thread starter cvermeulen
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rjmtx;1228529; said:Here's my theory, maybe a little clearer. The rotting food is breaking down. It is made up of proteins. These are being eaten by micro-organisms that are making your water cloudy. The pH is probably dropping because the bacteria are breathing and releasing CO2. This would not cause an ammonia spike if you already have a srong bioload of nitrifying bacteria. What you are witnessing is a bloom of an entirely different suite of bacteria. Do water changes and make sure there is nothing left rotting in the tank. Throw some air stones on there for good measure. Are your fish gasping or breathing heavily?
well I think I've gotten most of the decomposing stuff. Your theory makes sense though. Nobody is gasping for air. Would a pH of 6 be affecting them this way?
Ok, ok, so the plot deepens (or lengthens). I added some crushed coral to the filtration this weekend, and it's brought the PH into the range I'm happy with. The oscar and aro are resuming feeding, everyone seems peachy... the only remaining mystery was the cloudiness. Soooo today I came home from work, and the cloudiness was completely cleared up... and my water is distinctly green. ****siiiigh****
IME, that may be a good sign. Generally tanks out of balance will bloom white, then eventually yellow/green before clearing. I've never seen one go from cloudy white directly to clear. It may just take time. Hopefully you're on the right track & not headed for an algae bloom...
cvermeulen;1235219; said:Ok, ok, so the plot deepens (or lengthens). I added some crushed coral to the filtration this weekend, and it's brought the PH into the range I'm happy with. The oscar and aro are resuming feeding, everyone seems peachy... the only remaining mystery was the cloudiness. Soooo today I came home from work, and the cloudiness was completely cleared up... and my water is distinctly green. ****siiiigh****
I think you need to call a priest and excorcise your aquarium. That was a weird phase you went through
underwunder;1235777; said:IME, that may be a good sign. Generally tanks out of balance will bloom white, then eventually yellow/green before clearing. I've never seen one go from cloudy white directly to clear. It may just take time. Hopefully you're on the right track & not headed for an algae bloom...
I hope your'e right. I recently got a timer for the lights set up (it was not working for a while). I'm running about 16 hours of daylight now. I also noticed yesterday that my oscar was playing soccer with my large moss ball, and it was in the dark for a couple of days (he hid it in the cave). I dunno if that would have thrown the nutrient balanc eout of whack or not.
Anyways, I'm happy that everyone is eating normally again, and green water I can deal with for a little while. If it really persists I may invest in a UV.
Onion01;1235784; said:I think you need to call a priest and excorcise your aquarium. That was a weird phase you went through
LOL. well at least I know the cloudiness isn't from leaching!
