water is filtered but cloudy

[PhilGoodz]

i have a 55 gallon tank filtered by a Aqua-Tech pump rated for my size of tank. the problem is my water seems clean, just not clear. i have changed my water twice and still the same result. any suggestions?

 

[rallysman]

How long has it been set up? Is it a white cloudy look?

 

[RadleyMiller]

What are your water parameters?

 

[PhilGoodz]

been set up for about 4 months. yeah its a white cloudy look. im beginning to think its the filters, because the cloudyness seems to seems to come and go.

the ph level is at 7.4

 

[rallysman]

Test your ammonia nitrite and nitrate.
Sounds like it never has fully established or you dont have enough biological filtration.
How often do you clean the filter?
When you clean it, do you remove all of the media?
What kind/size/ number of fish do you have in it.
How much do you feed?

let us know that and I'm sure we can get you back on track.

 

[RadleyMiller]

It sounds like you tank is going through a recycle. Does it get cloudy whenever you change your carbon or clean your filter?

 

[T]

radley what do u mean by a recycle?

 

[RadleyMiller]

An establish tank is incurring another mass growth in denitrofers. First nitrosomas then nitrobacter. It's like your tank is getting itself set up again after already being set up. It is like a mini cycle. The tank is already seeded but needs time to catch up with the bioload. Give it water changes and keep testing. It should take a few days but everything will level off eventually.

 

[cwickham]

An establish tank is incurring another mass growth in denitrofers. First nitrosomas then nitrobacter.

Wow, can you say that in english next time? I kid.. I kid... Any ways, I get this problem after I refill the carbon in my filters. It lingers for maybe two days but eventually disappears. Also, how many and what size filters do you have on your tank? Ive got two Emp 400's on my 55 and it stays crystal clear (with the exception of refillign the carbon). Granted Ive got two 12" Poopmachines in there (Tiger O's).

 

[boisblancboy]

When you replace the carbon, only replace it in one filter at a time, stagger them. When you replace all the carbon at one you are killing most of you beneficial bacteria and your water goes cloudy until the bacteria is repopulated. If you stagger the replacement of the carbon you shouldnt get that. A lot of people dont even use carbon as it really needs to be replaced very often to do any good, but it is a great place for the BB to grow on.