tank set up leads to cloudy tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
update. i removed 80% of my water and changed it with my water from an established tank. It was clear for one night and after 2 days it was cloudier than ever. now its so green i cant even see throught it. (lengthwise or widthwise)
i moved the rocks that were blocking the filter. could the sand be a reason why its so cloudy since it can't store bacteria?
 
Keep the light off for several days and cut way back on feeding. You keep telling us that the filter came with the tank but we have NO idea what brand or even what kind it is. Cannister or HOB of some sort judging from the pick up tube.

What is you main form of biological filtration in that tank? and what are the water test readings?

These are all very importiant questions in order to be able to help you solve your problem.
 
You are having bad luck with both bacterial and algae blooms. Instant fix is lights off and a couple 50 percent water changes. Intermediate fix would be using a UV light.

Long term fix is getting a decent water change schedule and feeding schedule based on bio-load. Also rethink the mechanical and biological filtration to tune it for your exact setup. Lastly get some "Under Boulder Jets" in your tank to blow the detritus out of the rock cracks.
 
Those rocks you got outside your apt could be leaching and causing your problem.
I would try takin the rock out for a week or 2.
Just a thaught:)
 
my filter is a TOPFIN 30. its just a box with a carbon bag that hangs outside of the tank with a intake tube sticking into the tank.
ive never done a water check i just use amquel+. other sites say its a bacterial bloom but i took out all the water and replaced it with established water. shouldnt that mean my tank is cycled.
 
1) Get a better filter...those Topfins really aren't worth the plastic they're made of. JMHO...I've had a lot of success with Aquaclear...AC-70 is the smallest size I'd buy..

2) You mentioned the tank is 28" long, what size is that, 30 gallons? That's a LOT of africans you have for a 30...hopefully this is just a grow-out tank because the stock you have in there now just isn't going to work in the long run.

3) When you removed that filter pack, you removed a bunch of bacteria from your tank and basically started the cycling process over (That's another reason why TopFins suck...you have to throw away all your media and the bacteria that lives in it when it gets dirty). I don't touch my filters in a new tank for at least 8-10 weeks. Also you don't want to stock heavily during that time or else, as you are seeing now, your tank will constantly be trying to catch up with the bio load.

Hope that helps.
 
You definatly need a much better filter system. Something in the range of an Ac 70 (aquaclear) or an E280 (Emporer) and of course a dose of fresh bio-spira. Seasoned water does nothing at all for you. All of the active BB (benificial bacteria) are in the filter media and on the serfaces of the substrait. With the topfin...you toss that away every time you change or clean the filter pad.
 
what would you guys recommend as a good canister filter thats not asking for too much $$$. or should i get an extra good one since im gonna get a 175+ gallon tank in the future.
 
check out JEBO canisters... and before you guys flame me.... he asked good for the money... and thats JEBO
 
Not good if you need replacement parts that are almost impossible to find.... Great deals can be found on line for cascade cannisters and Rena's...both companies offer custmer support and good parts availability.
 
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