Tank Foggy and I can't quite figure out why

[jah2328]

Hi, I've been running into some issues with my tank. I've had this tank running since January 3rd with no issues. My nitrogen cycle seemed to be complete, as my current tank parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and a small amount of nitrate. Over the past couple of weeks, my tank started to get cloudy, and I mean really cloudy. I'm so confused because I didn't change anything in my tank. I do bi-weekly water changes of about 20-30%, and my tank is bare-bottom, so there is no substrate to cloud it up. My filter media isn't dirty. I feed my little buddy with tongs so there is no extra food in the tank. In addition to the fog in my tank, I noticed an increase in slime buildup on the sides. It looks like a dirty white deposit, but when I wipe it it leaves the paper towel darker and sometimes a shade of yellow and recently red. I've wiped it down when the water is low during my PWCs, but it returns the next day. My axolotl seems to be happy and healthy, as his appetite is still great and he has no fungus or signs of stress. I am concerned because I can't see any poop due to the cloudy water. As you can see in the attached images, the water is extremely convoluted. It seems to have a darker shade than the usual bacterial bloom, but I wouldn't know too well.

One more thing - I've tried letting the tank just sit for awhile with minimal water changes to see if it would subside. It just got worse.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I miss being able to see my copper MAC with perfect clarity

 

[jah2328]

Just to clarify, my ammonia and nitrite are both 0. Water temp is about 63.5, and pH is 7.1

 

[minorhero]

This is a bacterial bloom likely caused by excess waste/leftover food. Start doing bigger water changes at least once a week. At least 50%, I aim for 70-80. With a bare bottom tank and a few (fake?) plants, the main surface area for beneficial bacteria is your filter. If food for bacteria build up you will get a bloom like this. Sometimes this happens when a tank is brand new but then it usually settles itself on its own a few days/weeks.

Another thing to consider is whatever you are doing for filter maintenance. Depending on what filter you are using and your method for cleaning, it might not be enough.

 

[jah2328]

Plants are fake except for two marimo moss balls. I was going to add java ferns when all this happened. Thank you for the advice! Ill get on this asap

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Just to clarify, my ammonia and nitrite are both 0. Water temp is about 63.5, and pH is 7.1

I concur with minorhero. It's a bacteria bloom. bi-weeky changes is not nearly enough, especially in a bare bottom tank. You should be doing 50% changes weekly and rinsing your filter cartridges in the old tank water to remove any extra debris.

 

[jah2328]

I concur with minorhero. It's a bacteria bloom. bi-weeky changes is not nearly enough, especially in a bare bottom tank. You should be doing 50% changes weekly and rinsing your filter cartridges in the old tank water to remove any extra debris.

Okay. I should have clarified better, as I meant twice a week by biweekly. Thank you guys

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Okay. I should have clarified better, as I meant twice a week by biweekly. Thank you guys

Bacteria blooms happen. its not uncommon. The slimy white stuff on the side of the tank are another indicator of excess biological waste. To clear it up a little quicker, you can do 30% changes daily for 3 changes. That should help.

 

[jah2328]

Bacteria blooms happen. its not uncommon. The slimy white stuff on the side of the tank are another indicator of excess biological waste. To clear it up a little quicker, you can do 30% changes daily for 3 changes. That should help.

Sounds good I'll keep you guys posted

 

[kwarzym]

Hey @jah2328, I know you mentioned you only have two live plants (some moss balls), but do you have any wood? I had the EXACT same issue as you (cloudy water and white slime despite multiple water changes) due to adding grape wood to my tank years ago. I have never had this problem with other aquarium wood, but for some reason, grape wood is a feast for bacterial slime for the first few weeks/months before it settles back down.

 

[jah2328]

Hey @jah2328, I know you mentioned you only have two live plants (some moss balls), but do you have any wood? I had the EXACT same issue as you (cloudy water and white slime despite multiple water changes) due to adding grape wood to my tank years ago. I have never had this problem with other aquarium wood, but for some reason, grape wood is a feast for bacterial slime for the first few weeks/months before it settles back down.

I have no wood in my tank, but I appreciate the idea. I have an artificial cave, a jar, an artificial plant, and my moss balls. I was really hoping to add more natural components but I will definitely wait for this to calm down.