Fish Tanks how to keep water clear?

Question

I have a 30gal fresh water tank that I can not keep the water clear. We change the filter once a month and also drain some water out and add fresh to the tank. We are on well water.

Answer 1

Cloudiness comes from one of two things. Bacteria or algae. If the cloudiness is whitish in color it's bacteria, if green then the cause is algae.

First, I would suggest you start cleaning the tank by removing about 25% of the water using a gravel vacuum once a week and replacing it with fresh. Don't change out the entire tank. If you have been changing the whole thing, that's the source of your cloudiness and goig to the smaller more frequent changes will fix it.

If it's algae then the change in water changes will help that too, but you will also need to keep the light off as much as possible. Only have the light on when you are home to enjoy the tank and then only about 10 hours a day. If that's all it's on now, reduce it even more.

This should clear up the problem but it will not work over night. It may take up to two weeks before the tank is clear.

MM

Answer 2

Well the well could be the problem. the problem is the filter system you are using. It is most likely a small square filter that hangs on the back of the tank with a charcoal filter in a material bag. Try getting a bigger filter that sits on the floor behind the tank. It should hold about a gallon of water by its self. They cost from one hundred twenty five dollars up to over two hundred. It will keep the tank crystal clear. It will also take more time in between cleanings saving not only your fish but some time for you. Also your well water if processed or goes through a water softener can cause problems. Also watch how much food you give your fish. Most people over feed their fish and that will cause a lot of problems with the tank. Do you vacuum the bottom of your tank? If when you put your tank together and you put a plastic tray under the gravel you have an under the gravel filter. When you vacuum the gravel make sure you don't pull up the bio material from under the plastic under the gravel. I would go to your local pet shop where you purchased the tank and talk with someone you feel knows what they are talking about and see what they suggest...Best of luck...

Answer 3

It's hard to tell you how to keep it clear without knowing what you have in it. if I had to guess, I would say you are probably overstocked and with only doing water changes once a month, you have big problems. Maybe that's not the case.

First, start doing water changes weekly. Replace one to one and a half 5-gallon buckets each week (15 to 25 percent). Make sure you vacuum the waste from the bottom too. Second, never change the filter unless it has deteriorated to the point that it doesn't work any more. Your filter is where 99% of your beneficial bacteria live. When you replace it, you are throwing away most of your bacteria, causing a mini cycle and a bacteria bloom (which will cloud the water). Third, make sure the tank isn't in direct sunlight. That can lead to diatoms (and algae) which make the water green and very murky. You won't be able to see the back of the tank.

Also, do you test your water for ammonia and nitrites? If you are changing the filter every month, you could be experiencing water quality issues although you didn't mention any problems with the fish so that may not be the case.

And lastly, algae eaters and snails won't help with cloudy water. They may (not guaranteed) help with any algae problem but it depends on the type of algae and the type of AE you get.Different algae eaters eat different types of algae and may not touch the type you have.

Answer 4

Dear Linda K,
my family has always owned fish, and keeping the water clear is easy. You need to but a bucket, and a water sucker vacuum. Stick the end of it in the bottom of the tank. It looks like a giant tube. You suck the air on one end and let go, because the dirty water will suck up on its own. Move it around the bottom, and let the muck water fall into a bucket. If the water is green, then you have an algae problem. You need to buy Sucker Fish. Make sure to check the PH of the water, because it might be too acidic, or too balcidic. ( There is about 12 fish per 10 gallons, so make sure you don't have too many fish. )
Cowgirl**

Answer 5

Maybe you have too many fish for the size of the tank. Could be you are overfeeding too. Do some research on it. There is a formula (so many inches) of fish for every 10 gallons of water. Sorry, I don't recall the exact details. Don't think the well water has much to do with it unless it is cloudy to begin with.

Answer 6

Do you have an algae problem? or cloudy water or?
what kind of filter do you use?
Also, do you know how 'clean' the well water is? it may have certain chemicals in there that's causing your dirty looking water.
Do you use charcoal in your filter? If not try it :) it may work wonders.

Answer 7

Snails help. Also, if you use real plants, consider using fake ones. Part of the problem of messy tanks is because they're overcrowded. I don't have an aquarium now, but I used to. I used to keep only a few colorful fish in my tank, rather than crowd it, and it stayed clear longer.

Answer 8

Don't put the tank in front of a window and get an alge fish it works i have well water

Answer 9

You can get algea eaters and snails. I have a 20 gallon fish tank that gets pretty dirty to. I think what you're already doing is good to. Just don't over feed them sometimes that contributes to a dirty fish tank.

Answer 10

When you change your water you need to use a gravel cleaner.You should use this to remove 20% of the water once a week.