Platterpus
Axolotl Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 3
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Adelaide, Australia
- Country
- Australia
- Display Name
- Brendan & Kerri
I am in desperate need of some good specific advice about my recent ongoing problem with cloudy water… About two months ago, our main tank (approx 170 litres) became cloudy. Having experienced cloudy water in the past, I instigated the (usually successful) regime of daily vacuuming and partial water changes. I have continued this practice for almost two months now and have seen no change whatsoever!
About a month ago I became extremely frustrated and decided to strip the tank and start again, replacing filter media, flushing substrate and scrubbing rocks etc. Within a few days the water had started to cloud again. The tank has since successfully re-cycled, but the cloudiness has stayed the same.
From the very beginning, I have been mindful of the biological filtration process – consistent testing has confirmed that ammonia and nitrite/nitrate levels have remained at zero… (or acceptably low during cycling)
I will also add here that I have been reluctant to post to the forum so far since most cloudy water issues are fairly simple to diagnose and therefore treat – and not the kind of generic problem I would usually raise here! This is different and I’m hoping someone here can help… I am inclined to believe it may be a type of brown algae.
Some clues:
The tank had been established and healthy for at least a year without major issue.
The water clouds again immediately after partial water change
Behaves similar to normal brown algae, but no brown residue/slime on surfaces??
Mechanical filtration is not reducing cloudiness
Tank is situated in low light
Axolotls do not seem bothered or distressed
Water parameters test same as normal (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/pH)
I have resisted using chemicals like algae-cure etc and believe I have otherwise almost exhausted my options. I have tried everything from the sensible (patience) to the drastic (tank restart) - all without any real change. I have researched and re-researched cloudy water issues and just can find anything that matches exactly what I am experiencing. HELP!!!
About a month ago I became extremely frustrated and decided to strip the tank and start again, replacing filter media, flushing substrate and scrubbing rocks etc. Within a few days the water had started to cloud again. The tank has since successfully re-cycled, but the cloudiness has stayed the same.
From the very beginning, I have been mindful of the biological filtration process – consistent testing has confirmed that ammonia and nitrite/nitrate levels have remained at zero… (or acceptably low during cycling)
I will also add here that I have been reluctant to post to the forum so far since most cloudy water issues are fairly simple to diagnose and therefore treat – and not the kind of generic problem I would usually raise here! This is different and I’m hoping someone here can help… I am inclined to believe it may be a type of brown algae.
Some clues:
The tank had been established and healthy for at least a year without major issue.
The water clouds again immediately after partial water change
Behaves similar to normal brown algae, but no brown residue/slime on surfaces??
Mechanical filtration is not reducing cloudiness
Tank is situated in low light
Axolotls do not seem bothered or distressed
Water parameters test same as normal (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/pH)
I have resisted using chemicals like algae-cure etc and believe I have otherwise almost exhausted my options. I have tried everything from the sensible (patience) to the drastic (tank restart) - all without any real change. I have researched and re-researched cloudy water issues and just can find anything that matches exactly what I am experiencing. HELP!!!
