why is my aquarum still cloudy?

Question

55 gal it's been set up for 1 year. 1 red oscar 2 black convicts 1 algae eater. 2 - 80 gal filters, 1 air pump, 1 heater. I do regular water and filter cleaning or changes. The fish are fed once a day.All levels the last 2 months have been 0 (amonia,nitrite,nitrate ect..) Petco told me nitrate levels should be high in established aquariums. I've been adding cycle with water changes. Lights are on 8 hours a day. I've tried the clear drops with no success. PH is good and fish seem healthy. In 1 year it was clear for about 2 weeks. Any help is greatly appreciated

Answer 1

Your bacteria is growing in the water (free floating) rather then on objects. Add a few decorations (even clay flower pots lying on their sides) to increase the surface area for it to grow on. Make sure that when your are doing water changes that you are only changing 25% and the water is the same temp of the tank to not stress the bacteria. Cut the amount of food you give in half so the bacteria doesn't need to work as hard, and add an air pump and stone (or increase what you have). Don't change your filter too often as there are a lot of bacteria growing on it. I rinse mine out in water the same temp as my tank when it becomes clogged, and change it only when rinsing is no longer effective.
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Answer 2

I don't usually trust the larger pet stores when it comes to the aquatic hobby (most of them do not know what they are talking about, and give bad advice all in the name of selling more products).

You absolutely - positively - should NOT be putting cycle in your tank still. There is not need for it once you've established the bacteria colonies from the original cycle you tank when through (back during the first couple of months that you aqaurium was setup).

Now regarding the Nitrates - they are correct. Proper levels should be at about 20-40PPM after a year (Nitrates are the end part of the Nitrogen cycle, and depending on how much Ammonia that tank had in it when the tank was first cycling usually dictates this. If you don't have live plants in there - which would consume your Nitrate levels - I can't understand why they would be reading "0" zero).

Also - you do not need to change your filters out as often as it sounds like you are doing. The filters become a very valueable bacteria bed for the biological filter you are using. My guess is you have Biowheels/HOB of some sort. I have a 90g tank myself and have 2 Emperor 400's on them, and my tank is crystal clear. The reason for this though is I keep native fish who eat live feeders. They tend to put out a heavier bioload than more ornamentals (except for maybe Oscars).

I would do the following...

- Stop using the cycle product - you do not need it, and it's a waste of money at this point.

- Do not change your filter media except for maybe once every 4 months (and even at that - only change out 1 of the cartridges for a new one at a time).

Everything else sounds fine. Just give it time, because this definitely is a hobby of patience.

Good luck

Answer 3

Not sure how often you've been cleaning/changing filters and water because you didn't specify how frequently, but I agree with the person earlier. If PH and amonia lvls are under control, I would think that you need some bacteria in the tank. It may seem backwards, but I would try NOT cleaning the filters for a while and see if it clears up. You can also buy some additive from a fish store to help the tank cycle.

Answer 4

I do hope that you have an undergravel filter and it is running. Once you put in an undergravel filter, you never need to change the water. You will only add water as necessary due to evaporation. An undergravel filter sets up sort of an environmental system within an aquarium. It begins to breakdown fish droppings and left over food. You never clean an undergravel filter. Less work and less disruption for your fish. Please for the sake of your fish, look into getting one. I promise you, it will work. Oh yea, maybe you are over using chemicals. Slow down. The waters need time to recover and become clear. Good luck to you and your fish. I know that you will be able to clear up the water fast.

Answer 5

bacteria not working, stick something funky from a clean creek or pond in there for a bit and see if you can introduce a couple of good bacteria or algae

Answer 6

I THINK THESE LARGE FISH MAY BE STIRRING UP THE BOTTOM AND I DONT THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE HIGH NITRATE .LEVELS LOOK UP ADVICE ON FISH ON THE INTERNET