cloudy fishtank?

Question

set up new 30 gallon tank with hard water.Let cycle for a week and treated water,still cloudy.Running a power filter only.HAOW CAN I GET THIS WATER CRYSTAL CLEAR.

Answer 1

There could be a number of problems leading to your tank being cloudy and/or smelly.

All too often too many new fish owners make the same common mistakes. Did you wash your tank out properly prior to installing? Did you wash your gravel thru a strainer (and I don't mean just rinse it off)? These are the two leading cause for cloudy water in a new tank.

Your tank is not cycled completely . See web page.
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

I'd strongly recommend that you become familiar with the Nitrogen cycle, so you are aware of what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
You should begin testing your water right away for ammonia and take appropriate steps to keep it below lethal levels. Hang in there; once you get your tank through the initial cycle the cloudy water problem will clear up

Do you or are you using a gravel siphon to clean the bottom when doing water changes? (Sorry forgot it is really new) Did you rinse out your filter and pads prior to installing them?

If you did not rinse the gravel well enough you can do one of two things, stir up the gravel in the tank really well. This will cause all the "dirt" particles to float in your tank. Keep the filter running and do a 20% water change. As long as your water "quality" is fine, do this every other day until the water is clear. Each time, be sure to rinse your filter out as well.
I know pain in the butt. but if the tank is not yet cycled.

Now after you get this all cleared up, we will talk about the algae that will soon hit your tank! Just kidding LOL

Good Luck

Answer 2

At one week, your tank hasn't finished cycling. This can take from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on a number of factors. As the first answer said, PATIENCE!

If you are cycling without fish, have you added an ammonia source? You need to feed the beneficial bacteria to get them to reproduce. Chances are they are reproducing and this is the "cloudiness" that you see.

If you have a water test kit, use it to monitor the progress of your tank. When ammonia = 0, nitrites = 0, and you only have nitrate forming, you tank is ready for fish.

Also, as anumber of others have indicated, if you didn't rinse your tank, gravel, and decor before filling your tank, these could be contributing to the haze.

Below are a number of websites with info on causes of cloudy water and cycling both using fish and not, and using an existing filter or aquarium gravel source to "seed" your tank:

Answer 3

Hard water will not cause cloudiness so it must be something else about the tank. What kind of gravel do you have? Any fish in there yet? Add all the info you can and I'll check back and add to my answer.

MM

Answer 4

Did you get your water tested for ammonia or high PH? that could be your problem.
if not, Ive seen tanks take as long as 2 weeks to clear up. did you rinse out the carbon before you put it in the filter?

Answer 5

you doing a fishy or fishless cycle, cause ya know you dont just let a tank sit, thats not considered cycling. Wanna explain what you are doing for a cycle?

Answer 6

Just let your tank cycle over time it should clear up. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

patience..time...let it cycle.....