I hope this is the correct area to post this:

I have been having a problem with the tank being cloudy. What causes this?

Once a week I change out water about 25% and change the filter every two weeks.

I add some aquarium salt with the water changes and aqua safe.

And I do add cloudy clear, but that only lasts 2 days.

Why is this problem happening? I've never had this problem before.

And, I don't have any test kits...yes shame on me! I've never used them before.

I've been running tanks for 12 years...this is the first time this problem has been happening!!!

Can anyone help?

I think what could be happening is a bacteria bloom. You have been very LUCKY with having tanks for years and never test.
But I think your luck may have run out with this one.
I would asap test the water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH for starters and see what they say.
You shouldn't have to change the filter every 2 weeks, maybe rinse it off in tank water but not change it.
If I am not mistaken the chemicals that take out the "cloudiness" are for small particles in water, if it is a bacteria bloom it will do nothing for it.

I will move this to the water chemistry and see if you get some more responses there. Good luck

Oh my! What is this bacteria bloom?

Ok, so if I test...how do I fix the problem? Do I add something? I've never tested and this is so confusing, but believe once I learn, it's probably easier than I think.

Fish seem fine, not to jinx them...they are active and eating.

It's a 20 gallon with 2 comet fish.

I do rinse the filter, that's what I meant by changing (in addition)...sorry.

There's a second tank, they are just lovely. 2 dalmation mollies. Happy little things. Tank is clear!

Ok a bacteria bloom happens when a tank is trying to cycle. Once the good bacteria start they "bloom" and can cloud the tank, it will settle down once the tank is fully cycled.............it is a good thing.
You want a bacteria bloom to happen, it can be frustrating to look at, but nesassary for a healthy tank.

I do know that testing and cycling is all very confusing in the begining, but once you get the hang of it, it is very easy.
Testing while cycling you should do once a day. Read up on cycling and get you some test kits. Drop test kits are better.
I am glad to hear you are just rinsing the filter, are you doing it in old tank water? If not you could be killing the good bacteria in the filter.
I would stop using the cloudy clear for now until we test the water.
Let me know when you get your results and we can guide you better from there.

PS if you can't afford tests right now taking a sample of your water to the lfs they can do it free. Make sure you get actual numbers and don't let them just say "your water is fine". We need the numbers to help you better.

This is certainly helping me. Once you think running a tank is easy and you got it, something happens! There's so much to learn!

I've never run the filter under old water! Something else I had no idea of doing! This is embarrassing! :crp

I will let the tank go cloudy and leave it be and then test it. Correct?

And I will run to Zoos to get a test kit. I don't rely on the employees there, they are mostly teenagers who have directed me in the wrong direction before.

So, I'm sure I will post again very soon with questions!

Thank you so much for helping!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

You are very welcome. Once you test and let us know the numbers we are here to help.

Don't be embarrassed, I didn't have a clue when I came here. This is where you learn.

You have a Merry Christmas as well.

By the way, not to get too personal...but we lived in St. Joseph, MI for 5 years. It's an absolutely beautiful place to live and we were 90% guaranteed a white Christmas!!!!

That is cool, I have no idea where St. Joseph Mi is. We are in south east Mi. So far all we have is a dusting. We are to get a couple inches this week though, so maybe.

St. Joseph is South West MI right on Lake Michigan so we got tons of lake effect snow. On a clear day you could see Chicago across the lake.

Wow that is cool. We are on Lake Erie, so oppsite of that.

The tank is clearing up!

I will post again when I get a test kit! So crazy right now only 3 days until Christmas!

Excellent great news!! Yes enjoy your holiday!!