Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Cichlidkid on November 29, 2014, 12:23:32 AM

Title: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Cichlidkid on November 29, 2014, 12:23:32 AM
Ok we changed out the old substrate with new crushed coral. We saved about 25 pounds of old rock and put that in nylons to keep in the tank for a week or so. Then after about 6 hours I had to clean the pads on the filter (FX6). Then the next morning I rinsed them off again as they where packed with the white particles from the gravel. I am guessing I didnt clean the coral good enough. Anyways we went up and got new pads for the filter and put them in last nigh. I have even done a 25 gallon water change and I still have cloudy water. I once again rinsed the pads out in siphoned tanked water and it seems that I can not get the tank to clear up anymore then what its current state is. Can I get any suggestions to try and clear it up or is this just something that I have to wait for the beneficial bacteria to build up again? The fish are doing great and loving the new substrate. But I personally cant stand the cloudiness.
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Title: Re: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Cat(fish)lady on November 29, 2014, 01:07:42 AM
Just gotta give it time.
Sometimes it takes forever to settle if not rinsed well enough.
Title: Re: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Regalblue on November 29, 2014, 01:58:03 AM
Sounds like you took a big hit on BB & you're dealing with a bacteria bloom. 

Keep an eye on your parameters,  change water as necessary & don't kill off anymore BB in the filter.
Title: Re: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on November 29, 2014, 07:59:36 AM
You could put some Smart Start Complete in to help replenish the lost BB.

http://www.tlc-products.com/startsmart-complete/new-tank-set-up/ (http://www.tlc-products.com/startsmart-complete/new-tank-set-up/)
Title: Re: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Cichlidkid on November 29, 2014, 08:25:44 AM
Regal that is exactly what I was thinking but just wanted to see if I was correct as I am still a newb and learing. MaizeNBlue that is the exact stuff I used. I am thinking about going to get more today.

Thanks for the responses as these are what I was actually hoping to hear. That is why I changed it all on wednesday so I could watch it over the next five days as I have been off of work for the holidays. I guess I just keep testing the water and wait for the bacteria to grow....

Oh what are common signs to look for if the water starts to head down hill?
Title: Re: Cloudy Water help!!!
Post by: Mission Man on November 29, 2014, 11:13:55 AM
Using crushed coral, you're going to have residual calcium "dust" that will need to settle or filter out of your tank.

If you had to clean your filter media 6 hours after you added the coral, then it's probably the coral.  Usually a bacterial bloom will take about a day (depending on the temp.)