Cloudy tank

[tempest]

hello...I have a 55 gallon tank, freshwater,
I use an Emperor power filter(400 gph).
Teh fish I have are 2 Geophargus jurupari, 2 Pacus, and a freshwater stingray.
My problem is my tank is cloudy..I have cut back on the feeding and all water test are good,ie ph, ammonia, hardness, etc. and the temp is 73 degrees F.
Anyone know how I can clear the tank??

[Garfield]

Hello,

The filter that you are using is good. I am thinking could it be that the sponge in the filter has larger gaps that is not filtering as much tiny dirt as possible? Try to put in a small cloth, together with the sponge, in the filter too. But after putting the cloth, please make use that the filter is able to pump the water as good as before.

If you still want the water to be clearer, after a small cloth in being put into the filter, you can also use another cloth to tie around at the nozzle of the filter where the water is pumped out.

Also the fish food, do they dissolve and 'melt' after awhile in the water, thus clouding the water?

Just an idea. Hope it works.

[DiscusDude]

We need more information: Is this a new setup? Has the tanked cycled? You didn't metion if you had a substrate or not. It could also be an algae bloom, how is your lighting? Are you doing regular water changes?

If it is an algae bloom it will eventually clear away, but you certainly can help it along by minimizing your lighting, doing regular water changes. If you are sure everything is fine, you can try a "Diatom Filter" brands include Vortex or Diatomagic. The are water polishers that filter down to the micron level and make your water look crystal clear. A side benefit is that some parasites such as ich can be reduced by using a diatom filter regularly. Hope this helps.

[Koilady]

Hi Tempest. It could be that your tank is going through a bacterial bloom due to some disruption in the balance. It could also be due to a tank that has been set up for alonger than a year that has a substrate of gravel. The gravel could be saturated with fish faeces and uneaten fish food and needs a good cleaning out and this usually means stripping the tank down. This not a particularly popular idea but sometimes it's the only thing that can be done.

Lorraine

[sALmoN]

perhaps some suspended particles
use char coal?

[tempest]

The tank has been set up for over 3 weeks, yes there is a sustrate, medium gravel...which I vacuum when I do the water changes(15% once a week)
I have some live plants...

[Phreeeekz1]

OK, here we go...

1. Your 55gal has only been setup for 3 weeks, that is roughly half of it's first cycle, expect fish deaths soon... this is not a joke. soon you will see ammonia spikes and nitrate/nitrite spikes.

2. Buy at least a 700 gal tank for those pacu's.. these fish grow massive in a short period of time, I rescued a single pacu several weeks back that was in a 220gal on his own, 220 gal was way too small, the poor thing couldn't even turn around in it. And you have 2 of them...
On the upside... Pacu's are beautiful fish, great to keep (if you have the space) and live upmost of 30 something years.
Expect to spend about an extra $12 per pacu on food in few years too, as well as good pellets they also need fresh fruit such as small grapes and cherry tomatoes, fresh veg such as blanched zuchini in their diets.

In short, you have stocked you tank with big fish ahead of it's cycle, I truely hope that your fish survive (get pleanty of stresscoat).
You have also stocked you tank with fish that will outgrow a 55 gal in no time (purchase a larger setup and start a full cycle soon)

No matter what you do chemicaly or mechanicly filter wise, you will keep getting this problem untill the tank has fully cycled. The more you try to correct it, the longer it will take for a true cycle to occur.

I take it that you are new to this hobby, as you are unaware of cycling tanks and what species should not go into a 55 gal setup.
Perhaps you were sold these fish (the pacu's) by a store that either has no clue whatsoever about fish, or just wanted to off load them on somebody quickly after realizing what they themselves had gotten into... (I'm not even going to comment on putting a fresh water ray in with the other fish you have in a 55 gal)!!!!!!!!

This post might seem harsh, and so it should.

You have spent good money on a setup without researching the basics of cycling a setup, you have purchased fish that you have not researched (ever seen an adult pacu.. real tank busters that get over 36 inches head to tail)
Arghhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!

I hope the fish survive, I hope in future you will research before spending and hope you have enough cash and space to provide adaquately for the fish you now own (should any survive).

[tempest]

i thank you for the advice...I am not really new to the hobby...I had several fresh water tanks and a marine tank...Just never had one this big...
As for the pacus, I do have a 150 gallon tank that I can transfer them to...if they get too large I will find a home for them among my avide fish friends...
the ammonia level is 0 %, nitrites a little high...but I over fed them for a time and think a few water cahnges will bring this down..
As for my Stingray.....he is the best in the tank!!!The pacus and the jurupari do not mess with him, and he eats his fav foods regularly....the other fish tear up my plants! Love my ray!!! I may set up another tank and by him a mate!
So far all water tests are in spec except the nitrite...A little high..so hopefully things will go well...
John

[Garfield]

Hello,

Read this thread. I think Brandy might have the answer to your trouble. http://petshub.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000007.html

Good Luck. http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Shemmyboy]

what substrate do you have? if its sand then i think it is the food rotting on the sand. or your filter could be clogged w/ sand. i like the cloth on the filter idea. that would keep the sand out.
Shemmyboy:argue: :agree:

[Jeni]

always always always cycle the bigger tanks!! i cycle anything over a 3g

[horseluver12]

Hi,

Is your tank new? Most new tanks will have a cloudyness thing the first time you set them up. They have these drops you can use to clear your tank up, I don't remember what they're called, but when you go to your pet store, fish store or whatever, ask somebody if they have any drpos that will clear a fresh water tank up.

Hope I helped!

Thanks, Lisa:angel6: