Full Version: New Tank Getting Cloudy
I setup a new 55-gallon aquarium, and the water has suddenly gotten cloudy. I began setting it up early last week, adding about 10 gallons of water at a time. Water always looked clear. I added my first fish with a packet of Bio-Spira on Saturday. They seemed to do fine, and I added a new Ranchu on Sunday. I woke up today (Monday), and the water is noticeably cloudy. I did an ammonia test, and levels were close to zero. Any ideas?
Awwww! It must be a bacterial bloom! 
Dont worry about it, it means your tank is growing to a mature tank!
Dont worry about it, it means your tank is growing to a mature tank!
Yea, it does sound like a bacterial bloom. Give it a few days and when the bacteria find a place to settle, it will clear up again. Don't go changing all your water out trying to "help" or you will just have to go through this again. Looks strange, but it's not a bad thing! 
it sounds like your tank is going through the cycling process pretty well
It never fails.......I do a big water change then comes the cloudy water.....THEN someone stops by & I'm sure they are thinking "Does she EVER clean that tank?" Next day....crystal clear water & NO VISITERS!! 
Thanks guys! Well, the three fish still seem to be happy in their cloudy home.
Definately a bacterial bloom
As all above said dont change all the water, but if the looks realy get to you try very small changes and test after each change so you dont kill the cycle.
by the way...I adore your fish! I played your movie bout 10 times last night LOL and saved it to my computer for my daughter...we LOVE your ranchu!!!!!!!
As all above said dont change all the water, but if the looks realy get to you try very small changes and test after each change so you dont kill the cycle.
by the way...I adore your fish! I played your movie bout 10 times last night LOL and saved it to my computer for my daughter...we LOVE your ranchu!!!!!!!
You guys were right.
The tank is clearing up now.
What is a "bacterial bloom?"- I have a 46 gallon, I just did a 25% water change and vacuumed the gravel and it seems cloudy to me - am I in a bacterial bloom?? The water is testing ok - should I wait a couple of days too?
I just set up my tank yesterday it's a ten gallon tank. Yesterday the water was clear with all good reading but hardness was just high. Today my tank is very cloudy. Any tips on what I should do?
There are benificial bacteria living in every healthy cycled fish tank. The bacteria break down ammonia (toxic to fish) to nitrites (also toxic), and nitrites to nitrates (not toxic unless in very high numbers). When you do water changes on a cycled tank, you remove the final product, the nitrates. When you have fish in an uncycled tank, or there is suddenly more ammonia than the bugs are used to, you may experience a bacterial bloom. This is when all the buggies reproduce like mad 
QUOTE(Kissy @ Oct 20 2005, 04:30 PM)
There are benificial bacteria living in every healthy cycled fish tank. The bacteria break down ammonia (toxic to fish) to nitrites (also toxic), and nitrites to nitrates (not toxic unless in very high numbers). When you do water changes on a cycled tank, you remove the final product, the nitrates. When you have fish in an uncycled tank, or there is suddenly more ammonia than the bugs are used to, you may experience a bacterial bloom. This is when all the buggies reproduce like mad
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So, how do the reproducing bugs cloud the water, and why does the cloudiness clear up eventually?
I'm not too sure on the why's and hows..that's how it was explained to me. I hope someone can answer because I am curious too.
Despite my fish seem to be doing better, the water parameters aren't getting much better. Also, white dots are appearing on some of my fish. Ich? Weird...
That sounds suspicious and it could be a sickness, especially because of the water params. I'd post in the disease forum just to be sure.
QUOTE(gchen @ Oct 21 2005, 09:54 PM)
Despite my fish seem to be doing better, the water parameters aren't getting much better. Also, white dots are appearing on some of my fish. Ich? Weird...
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It depends where the white dots are. If they are only on the wen, it could be just the wen growth.
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