Cloudy Water in a Fish Tank and What to do About It!

[@DrinkWetPoopFishing]

i had a bacterial bloom and i used a UV sterilizer and cleared up the water after 3 days.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm pinning this comment. I completely forgot to mention this! Thank you!

[@rantsandreviews]

I like a UV sterilizer for green water but i'm not a fan of using one for a biologically imbalanced tank. I'm glad it worked for you but in most cases killing off surplus beneficial bacteria does not provide a long term solution. It generally leads to a roller coaster effect. Clear one week, cloudy the next as blooms reoccur. I can see it working as long as you fix the underlying cause during the process. "Something" caused the bloom and that "something" is not fixed by using UV.

[@call_me_stan5887]

@@rantsandreviews very good approach. Like you said - it's a patch, not a permanent fix. Cause-effect relationship needs to be established. Sometimes even the water itself may be the culprit - I use heated tap water during winter and cold one during summer and oh boy... the dosing regime must be adjusted accordingly.

[@stevesaquatics165]

It was probably an algae bloom in the water column I just had it and before I was able to figure it out I thought it was a bacterial Bloom and tried everything that Jason here mentioned and nothing worked then I figured out by reading that it was a algae bloom and I used a UV sterilizer to make the water crystal clear in less than 48 hours

[@themastershifter453]

How meany guppy fish do you think I can got in a 20 gal with a really good filter and environment.

[@N16D]

4:36 is when the solution starts

[@majedalhajjaj8965]

Thanks

[@N16D]

@@majedalhajjaj8965 welcome

[@mistygquartz]

Thank god

[@rorilee9791]

THANK YOU

[@nairsreehari96]

Thank you 😊

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

I put my glasses on and that solved the problem

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's too funny! : -)

[@psycho478]

😂

[@68at97]

5:25 are they cleaned

[@TarotMoon]

Ha ha ha ha!

[@Trenaway]

LOL, you are funny!

[@tjhuntable]

The water should be perfectly balanced, like all things should be. -Thanos

[@mastercommanderdragonsir679]

Shut up hippie .

[@lionroaring7021]

Yes.

[@tjhuntable]

Thats funny, i hate hippies. Good one troll

[@advisor4info171]

I found another solution just with tissue paper. No need of UV light and no frequent water change. It works well for me for last 3 months. If interested, you may watch video

[@leahtanner]

I really appreciate all of your videos, they are not only very informative, but don’t linger on like so many others. Thank you!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@rantsandreviews]

You covered particulate cloudiness (PC) very well. I would add that for the average aquarist the easiest way to avoid PC is to use a filtration system that will allow them to use a 3 layered approach with their mechanical media. In HOB's, cans, and sumps I always set them up so that the incoming water first hits a coarse foam sponge/pad, then a medium sponge/pad and then a fine pad or floss. Staging the media this way will reduce the maintenance cycle on the fine pad or floss. Of course no amount of filtration will compensate for bad habits. For bacterial blooms (milky water) in an established tank I usually suggest just reviewing and making improvements to maintenance practices as these blooms are usually due to a sudden increase of bio load and the bacteria reproduce to compensate. A dead fish, uneaten food, too many fish added at once etc... Another very common cloudiness not touched upon in your video is green water. Generally caused by an imbalance between light and nutrients in the water. Maybe a subject for another video?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hey Gerald! Ya, I purposely avoided the green water issue because it is more complex, but that'll be coming at some point. : -)

[@TC-wu3hp]

I’ve had cloudy water and cloudy smelly water. It was frustrating to deal with at the time. Thank you for your video! Great info!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good luck!

[@TroutFink]

First time watcher, and I have to give thanks as I’m getting back into the hobby after 20 years and after going down a rabbit hole for the last few weeks this video seem to be the informed. Watched a couple more videos and I’m hooked. ...Best part of the video was at @4:46. It’s just the Dad in me.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Appreciate you being here!

[@jeffg5181]

Long story short I will never own a tank without my Vortex XL Diatom filter(which I guess is an old school filtration method). But I tell you what, my water has NEVER looked soooo clear!!! Anyone that is having trouble with cloudy water do a little research on them to see if they are right for you! Great video!

[@lynnettehamilton9704]

I have just got my fish and their water is a bit cloudy so I watched this and I think it helped. Xx

[@Umashankar008]

U look like thanos

[@CreatedByNoriElan]

He looks AWESOME!

[@shawnsamaniego3934]

Uma Shankar 😭😭😭😭😭😭 bro I’m dead

[@donbacker9883]

Snap that cloudy water out of existence.

[@kjeldlarsen912]

.??? And you sound like.....

[@nihemahwilson5601]

Lol

[@growinginportland]

This is very important tip. If you have a hang on the back filter, like a AquaClear, make sure that after you remove the dirty water, from a water change that you also remove the filter media and place it in the dirty water bucket. One time I didn't do this, and left the filter media exposed to the elements for about 30 minutes. Once I put in the new water, and restarted the Filter, I got a cloudy tank about 24 hours later. It was a bacterial bloom. I accidentally started the fish cycle again. You see all the beneficial bacteria evaporated from the media from being exposed to the elements. I was able to reverse course by doing 10% water changes daily with Seachem Stability and avoided fish loss. Be careful.......

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Interesting. The filter media must have dried out pretty good.

[@growinginportland]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yeah, it was the only logical explanation. After the bloom hit, I used the API testing kit and saw that my Ammonia levels had jumped to 4 parts per million. I still don't understand how i avoided fish loss. But lesson learned.

[@ProdByAce]

@@growinginportland happened to me a few weeks ago lost 2 giant Red Devils and my Oscar due to an ammonia spike

[@ddc2343d]

Recently set up a shell dweller tank (Thanks to you). I've been dealing with cloudy water for over a month. Every time I'd do a water change, my water would stay cloudy for several days. Mine was a combination of algae on plants, some plant melt/ decaying plants, and particles in the water that were big enough that they would settle on things instead of being pulled into the filter. I ended up making one of those DYI water polishers with a powerhead and water bottle. It was pretty intense and mixed up the tank debris. It was crystal clear within 5-6 hours, and no debris is floating around the tank. I think part of my issue is that my Fluval hang on just isn't cutting it. I have a seachem one on the way after your review.

[@christianjones1834]

Buddy it’s been going on 2 months and I’ve tried it all, and I’m not even really seeing algae growth… 0 nitrates nitrites and ammonia I have some plant melt going on and have dialed back on food so I have 0 idea what’s going on Tried clarifier multiple water polishing filter medias and still nothing it’s insane

[@Josue-xd5ru]

​@@christianjones1834Ever fix it?

[@paulmasters8666]

Cloudy water is usually due to overfeeding causing a bacterial bloom to stay in your water column, the first answer is the most obvious cut back on feeding amounts, another thing that really helps is add sponge filters if you don't already use them you are giving that bacteria another place to live, I place mine high up so they really just filter water through them and don't accumulate a lot of detritus my Fluval external filter serves that purpose. And lastly live stem or floating plants compete with the bacteria for the nutrients in the water column which can also help if you have algae problems.

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

It was cleaning the algae plus a dead ghost shrimp that threw mine out of whack.

[@myrainbow2u]

Can you dumb that down, please?

[@KW-fe5ye]

Yes so frustrated with this cloudy water and I'm 4 weeks in with new tank. Just watched your video 4/12/2020. I trust your expertise along with your other suggested videos. I'll be back a positive report! Thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I hope it all works out well!

[@michaelbelanger8246]

Used many products in this instance; purigen by seachem in filter removes organics, nite out by microbe lift, great for ammonia spikes when combined with Zeolite medium in filter. Also oxidizing with potassium permanganate helps with organics and protozoans, flukes

[@suebunch4588]

I add plain white paper towels in my filter and switch it a few times a day initially, then once a day. Polishes the water beautifully!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have never heard anyone use them in a filter before.

[@suebunch4588]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I've mainly used it early on when even after rinsing, substrate leaves a cloud of tiny particles. In order to extend the life of filter media and get clearer water faster. I should mention that I only do this in hob filters and in tank filters where the media compartment is easy to reach.

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

Love your videos. They are so simple and to the point. I've gained so much knowledge from you already and can't wait to learn more. I find the underwater life so amazingly beautiful. I miss my 40 gallon cichlid tank we had a few yrs ago. I had to give it away when we moved and bought our first house. I'm going to invest in another corner octagon tank soon and I can't wait.

[@apb148]

Thanks to this video, and water changes I realized the problem was the filter bag needed to be changed. Thank you for such a helpful video.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Glad everything turned out. ok!

[@jamesgreen9372]

Good review, I just came over from you new, 11/16/2019, video on over-filtration. This is complimentary and a good primmer. Thanks again, Jim

[@filiplaskovski9993]

Seachem clarity really works wonders man! It precipitates the bloom and then the filter floss grabs it all

[@MikeV607]

The biggest and best tool for cloudy water is PATIENCE. Typically cloudy water, as mentioned, is simply a bacteria bloom that most often will burn itself out in a day or two. Of course if the root cause is excess waste, go ahead and clean it up but otherwise take a chill pill and relax (figuratively! not literally!) :-)

[@paris6817]

No one gives an estimate time. How long should I wait for a 5 gallon one betta lol

[@Ktigerour12]

I agree very much with your comment. To many people just want the instant fix nowadays, there is no magic pill. DON'T BUY THE BIG BOTTLE... that will fix your problem. That store just make more money from you.

[@nokkavelli600]

Mike Vormwald ... what's wrong with actually taking a chill pill?

[@shallnotbeinfringedamerica1683]

Seriously where can I buy patience I need it now like right now

[@kirin1230]

I just set up a tank. It's already cloudy. I think it could be from gravel dust. Is this an issue? Will it disappear from the filter and water changes?

[@AussieAquatic]

Super video!!! I'm a 35 year veteran and NEVER had cloudy water UNTIL now!!!! LOL...……..My super stable Planted show tank in my dining room is milky white as we speak. My Bristlenose catfish gave me a Christmas spawn out of the blue. They've dug out the substrate under some wood and released some super nutrient rich materials, under the high intensity lighting, instant Infusoria bloom. That warrants a new video I guess :)

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Now that's interesting!

[@AussieAquatic]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics planted tank people send most of our time pumping up nutrients. I'm pretty sure I've hit over saturation 😂😂😂. .....time to dilute again. LOL.

[@swannydeehosinpepper9655]

When I change my filter floss I cut a 1 inch by 1 inch square piece from the old filter floss and put it in with the new floss to seed it with the good bacteria from the old floss..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Nice idea!

[@PegsGarden]

I had cloudy water for about a month, I changed my water weekly 40 to 50%, still cloudy the next day, what I realized was I kept changing my filter, now I never change the filter just use filter floss wash it in the dirty fish water when I do the water changes and threw in some bio balls with the filter floss and my water is crystal clear, so really I have learned that all the beneficial bacteria lives in that filter so I kept changing the water and filters which was not a good idea, learning as I am going with my fish and being new to the hobby your videos have helped me a lot.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@call_me_stan5887]

Peg, actually bioceramics is ever better than plastic bioballs. Heck, even lava rock is better ;) Much higher surface to weight ratio. And yes - always rinse your filter insert in aquarium water, never fresh. Change medium gradually, not everything at once (that's why it's good to keep bioceramics in portions enclosed in a porous bag).

[@PegsGarden]

@@call_me_stan5887 Actually you are right, I have ceramic media in the mesh bag, not Bioballs, thanks :0)

[@call_me_stan5887]

Oh :) Very good then. Ceramics lasts about a year but in reality, when it gets brittle, you know the time has come to replace it. In my canister filter I usually had 2 packages with ceramics, one with a sponge and one with fine fabric for additional water clarity. As for ceramics, I would replace one of the packages at any given cycle time (say, after 6 months), to give microbial growth a jump start from the old one. One rule for microbial stability is either to use cycled media from another filter or give the new ones a jump start (which can be done in a variety of ways, like rinsing them with microbial solutions or using old media in conjuction with the new ones).

[@jaredalexander3403]

Peg what kind of filter are you talking about, like a hob or what

[@Trenaway]

Two things with cloudy water, one be patient after putting in fish, because almost all the time it is a bacteria bloom, if you have proper filtration going. When I first set up my tank, because the sub-straight was dirty, I set up two filters which was my water changes since they evaporated a ton of water a day. Now I have only one going, and the water is crystal clear. Fish are thriving in it. My ten gallon, not so much, but then it is only a month old and still cycling. Almost there , because I checked the parameters and saw they were all just about where a tank should be.

[@LearnersTank]

Bro u r a real Teacher

[@johnwayneaquaria8770]

I’ve used UV lights before and have been very happy with the results. A common problem with my tank too is that I have so many airstones and pumps that the water becomes slightly cloudy because there’s so much oxygen in the tank! 😂

[@nijmakayastha305]

Same thing happened in my tank. What is solution of this problem?? 🙏🙏

[@dukenu100]

I had an issue with my new tank but used Aqueon water clarifier plus water from rotting shrimp and it got so clear, I love it.

[@leechez7140]

New tank syndrome, don't do water change, just leave it and it will settle down itself. That's what iv always done anyway.

[@phoebecurtin5200]

how long did yours take to go?

[@leechez7140]

@@phoebecurtin5200 about 7 to 10 days.

[@comet967]

@Wutzmyname Mike update?

[@adidoes9942]

My aquarium has been cycling for a month and a bacteria bloom came out of nowhere. I only have 1 ghost shrimp in the aquarium but i planted a lot of plants. Help!

[@princessangie7809]

That’s what I’ve been doing but it’s been close to three weeks! Should I be worried? It’s still cloudy. And this is a new tank

[@Disciplined.mindset141]

I had some cloudy water in my new tank I used some aqua chlor and tetra aqua safe and within 2 days Crystal clear water (also put a cycled tanks sponge filter in to speed it up). All of these worked like a charm. Hope it helps

[@amandaoliva9951]

Did you had to take the fish out for adding those stuff?

[@wesledford8564]

I put a canister filter full with carbon and pumped water through it, gone next day, should work without canister filter, as long as you had the carbon

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Carbon can also be the cause. It can rub together in the filter and release a fine dust, as I found out recently :/

[@sameese79]

@@BlatentlyFakeName True. I rinse my new filters in a bucket of aquarium water but it still leak carbon back into the tank even after the rinse. I think the manufacturers are making the filters more cheap. I am using a sponge filter now with my carbon tetra filter. The combo has been working for my smaller fish in a 20gal tank.

[@EnragedSeaCow]

Thank you, I’m that guy who started my tank, (40 gal) and got a few plants and guppies to entertain myself during this quarantine. I’m having a bloom and my ammonia is high. I used the fresh start kits and all to condition the water, and am now using ammonia conditioner to neutralize it’s toxicity. I feel like a bad pet owner to my poor guppies but I’m trying man! They’re still kickin and seem happy

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Welcome to fish keeping!

[@cherriterri47]

I had a HUGE spike on ammonia a few months ago, I did everything I could think of, NOTHING worked. So first ammonia problem was I put ammo-lock in for a few days. Thinking it should help. (Ammo-lock turns your ammonia into non-toxic junk but will still reg hi Ammo til the filters process.) Nothing. I even bought a new tank because I was running out of ideas. I read on some site that gravel will trap gases - so I got a wooden spoon and poked holes in the gravel; All the way to the bottom then massive bubbles started to come up. Did that for ten minutes or so. I was like yeah Terri, big idea there. Exactly 30 hours later I saw my ammo meter on my tank was 0. WHAT?? My ammonia problem was in the gravel, it was holding bubbles of trapped ammonia. Gravel can mess up a lot of things I'm finding out.

[@DagonNaxos]

On a new tank, I just let it go. I find that if you try to do too much, too fast it will hang you mid cycle. Also, PLANTS. I know I'm going to get grief for this, but I had cloudy water, along with high nitrites and nitrates for the last few months in an Mbuna tank. I did everything right. I'm not a n00b. I got dirty filters from a friend's tank. I let the tank cycle for a good 3 weeks before adding fish, I added about 1/4 of the bioload that the tank could handle, I have 2 filters on the tank that should equal 4X the filtration I needed, plenty of air, plenty of light, good substrate, did regular water changes, vacuumed the gravel well, didn't overfeed etc etc, but I still had problems. A good friend gave me some Vals and Duckweed from her tanks. It's been about 4 days and my ammonia is zero, my nitrites went from 5+ppm to about .75 and my nitrates went from 100ppm to around 30. Didn't do anything else but add the plants. I've always shied away from plants, because I was always told that you don't put plants in cichlid tanks, the pH is too high, plants are a pain, the Mbunas will wreck them etc etc. Honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. And, yes, I know I said the dreaded "D" word, but the stuff works.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Those are two great choices! Grow fast and I've never had a problem growing either of them in a pH of 8.2 and fairly hard water. : -)

[@DagonNaxos]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yeah, they seem to be doing great in there. I have a Solarmax HO 48" light that I run both the daylight 6700K and the 10K standard lights and my Val is actually turning reddish in the direct light path. The duckweed actually makes some shade, which the fish really like. I have some Anubius coming from Aquarium Co-Op today, which will round out the tank nicely. I really like the videos. Keep up the good work!

[@boscoitalics]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics everyone's a "noob" at something.

[@Abp3.16]

Great video, very informative 💯

[@alltankedup]

What a great video. I hope you get a million subs soon. I did a water change a week ago and the water turned cloudy. Def not algae bloom so I assume it’s a bacterial bloom. Yet my ammonia and nitrite are at zero 😐. Will do another water change tommorow and keep adding stability and one dose of easy life.

[@kellbabesb2516]

i now have the exact same thing going on

[@abdelalkhalil]

the same happen to me ... how did u resolve it

[@benjamincarroll4371]

Thank you for making a solid video that's to the point and editing out anything useless. I subscribed and will be watching all of them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Glad you are here!

[@rjriz1758]

I’ve put polyester in my HOB to help clear up water. Also, feed less and a little larger water changes should help.

[@tracylee4297]

I disagree about the water changes. My experience has been that water changes have the potential to make a bacterial bloom worse. Dose it with some Beneficial Bacteria and give it a few days to work it out.

[@snoopdogg734]

You are practical and a articulate speaker. Your chanel has inspired me to get back into hobby, I look forward to more informative and fun videos in the future. ..keep up the great work sir

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for watching.

[@evelyngines70]

Can you do a video of preping a tank from beginning to end with real plants and what to put on the bottom like sand or other for a betta fish with some other small fishes not much not to big i love the bettas with large fins

[@Bonaparte1974]

so glad i found Prime tank aquatics best help! THANK YOU! PS: first place ever on YT I subscribed :)

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I really appreciate you being here!

[@henryneymeyer3477]

I used a uv filter attachment that goes on the lilp of the filter.

[@emmaelkins746]

My axolotl tank is getting cloudier by the day. When I got them 2 days ago I put a lot of food in there because they weren’t looking so good. Today I am getting a turkey baster so I can clean it. I think that may be the problem because I only got them 2 days ago and I don’t think that the filter would gunk up. I will still check it to be sure tho!!! This video was super helpful!!! Thanks!!!!! God bless you Thanos!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Emma Elkins removing the uneaten food will help for sure. 😀

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Very well researched and presented. I definitely benefited from the information and the post comment discussions. Love to see engaged fish keepers sharing information and learning new information, together. Thanks! (formerly Bob Caylor's Fish Hobby)

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! My hope has always been the comments section is where people can come to learn from others experience as well! : -)

[@misherupacaco]

I had a bacteria bloom few days but after several WC and add nitrifying bacteria my water starts to clear up love the result 😍

[@MyanmarWildWaters]

Sees cloudy water Aquarium Thanos, while installing UV - "Reality can be whatever I want"

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

Precisely 😄

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

Complete list of causes and solutions. Like 🙂👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@801bear5]

Long story short. Let your tank cycle

[@northtexasskies3243]

Yep

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

Or it happens to someone with a seasoned and understocked tank because **** happens. There's cloudy like a bit of shrimp substrate got stirred up or new gravel wasn't properly rinsed and there's BLOOM.

[@bekkieokie]

I have been a hobbyist of aquariums ever since I was 10 years old. I’ll have been able to grow plants in my aquariums and I have at one time in my life 20 large aquariums in my home. I am now 78 years old and I have only one 90 gallon aquarium. For the last six months my aquarium been cloudy. My fish seems to be all right but I cannot clear up the cloudy water. Watching your videos I did get to sponge filters. Next I will try to replace my filters and see if that doesn’t work. I’ve only had the two sponges in my carry-on less than 24 hours. I hope it will work.

[@sunnycal2293]

I had cloudy water once (very milky looking) about 6/7 years ago due to cleaning my filter box and media a little too well. I lost my cycle! Took me a couple of weeks to get my cycle back.

[@sanchocalderon9302]

this helped me a lot sire, balance will be maintained!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good to hear!

[@catfishcave379]

The biggest reason I have cloudy water is because my glasses are dirty.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's awesome! : -)

[@AussieAquatic]

LOL :)

[@haboab0216]

Loool 🏆🏆🏆trophy funniest comment

[@zimrianispresent8123]

Nailed it. Maybe I can start w cleaning my glasses lol

[@WeirdTvv]

Get some snails lol

[@akira3871]

Best way to test water clarity is to siphon some into a 5 gallon bucket. White if you're concerned about yellow water and black if you're concerned about cloudy water. Shine a light and take a peek. This will give you a very good idea what your water clarity is.

[@HPaigieS]

Great video! We have set up a glofish tank and I think we have a combo of too much food (I was trying to settle down some nippy fish by making sure there was enough food) and likely a subpar filter. We do have a bottom feeder, and everyone is getting along so I'm going to reduce feeding and see how far that gets us before messing with the filter. Cloudy water isn't cool, but in the glo setup it's kind of surreal.

[@kristinreimer5774]

I’m wanting to set up a glofish tank also, I’ve had this 20 gallon tank going for about 2 weeks with like 5 goldfish in it and they just ate my rabbit snails!! I’m sad about that but the question I have for you is how long did it take for u to put your fish into your tank? How long did u let it cycle for? And did u put any fish inside the tank before your glofish

[@amandaoliva9951]

Exactly what I am dealing with right now with my glofish tank and i have 2 bottom feeders. What did you to to help with that?

[@acebell7636]

I love watching your videos I have an issue then I just check your channel and then bam there is my answer everytime

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good to hear! : -)

[@AnimalKING]

I use an API product called Accu-Clear

[@anacross3557]

I used it and it did nothing

[@awesomecreator1]

I used API Aqua Clear as well, and it had my tank crystal clear for a few days and then it started to get cloudy again. :(

[@AnimalKING]

awesomecreator1 almost all products that clear your water are just bandages For the real problem so don’t rely on them..

[@jungleman4800]

I just started a 10 gallon set-up. The first few days were fine. The water was crystal clear. I put in 2 algae waffers and now my tank is cloudy. I wasn't planning on adding any fish no time soon but i heard of ghost feeding your tank so i thought i would try it.

[@colincarrington4629]

how did it turn out? i just started my 10g tank a couple days ago and also been ghost feeding. it’s super cloudy right now but not like dirty, you know? hopefully the ghost feeding method completes the cycle

[@paulhana2162]

@@colincarrington4629 if it smells like sulfur( matches ) u need to RESET everything and start from a scratch

[@alixxworkshop846]

The best solution for cloudy water with new aquarium or cycled one with bacteria boom is to immediately put Zeolith inside your filter. just cut a bit of your filtration sponge off so that you can make a place inside for zeolith and put It inside. In couple of days the water will be cristal clear and healthy. In 6-8 months you can replace your Zeolith with JBL Micromec or Eheim SubstratPro and you're good to go for years with stable biological balance. And don't forget to clean your filter regulary... ;)

[@steppydaddy972]

Cleaned filters out. Put my homemade water polisher, full of polyester fiber with my powerhead on top. Does an excellent job of clearing up my water. On my 55 gallon I have a 1 gallon juice jug with suction cups,pot scrubbies,powerhead & polyester fiber.

[@handymantomlandery1855]

added more gravel to gett a bigger bacteria base.

[@theone69ize]

Very well put. Informative and to the point.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FullMoonAquatics]

Good informative video! I have only had cloudiness after setting up a new tank, or a bit after cleaning filters. I use Purigen in some filters. But when I have a small bloom like this, I add a prefilter with polyfill to my intake (or on a powerhead/bubbler). Sometimes I use Stability if I do a major cleaning on my filter, or to help a new tank/filter balance out.

[@killermanfromearth6188]

So best to just let the filters run the course? I have new tank cloudy water.

[@sarbear6598]

Thank you for making this video! Anytime I google this problem it just says overfeeding or a new tank, but I’ve had this one almost a month. My problem is actually multiple different ones caused by me! Thank you I’m learning so much every day

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Glad it helped!

[@mikeashexperience9602]

Dope Video! Sending blessing your way, Keep inspiring!🎒🙌🏻

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Appreciate you watching!

[@dwayneparsons543]

In a new tank some substrates when not washed well enough will put fine particles in the water column that a mechanical filter might not be able to filter out.

[@raerae886]

Carbon always clears up my foggy water that stuff on the glass is so true I laughed I performed a water change on my 10 gal betta tank every day wondering why it was suddenly foggy getting upset I removed all decor was gonna do a deep cleaning and realized the glass was covered in slime stuff

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's too funny, but a common thing. : -)

[@peglegracing]

Just came across your channel and it's fantastic. I'd love to see a detailed video on Bacterial Blooms, similar to the Nitrogen Cycle Explained video, including the most important aspects of avoiding and rectifying them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I will add it to the list!

[@rathman4601]

I dealt with cloudy water, so cloudy that it was as if gallons of milk was poured in it, that took a lot of troubleshooting to find that it was the glass top covers to be the culprit. I never cleaned the bottom side of the covers thinking that the moisture builds on it, drips back down thus self cleaning. Well, after mechanical and chemical troubleshooting and removing everything but the fish without success I decided to try the covers and voilà! No more cloudy water!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's too funny. Not something a lot of people think about. : -)

[@call_me_stan5887]

hard water stories ;)

[@DagonNaxos]

I second this. Had it happen myself. Being a cichlid guy, the caked salt is real.

[@astrobenn_]

I am a stubborn British person who does not particularly absorb information from someone with an American accent. However you are the exception. Your videos are great. Sorry for the rather odd compliment.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you :-)

[@jmommy991]

Had an established tank (2 months with fish in a cycled tank) and all the sudden water got cloudy. Found 2 dead Zebra Danios and removed them. Dosed Seachem prime to protect fish from potential ammonia, added air stones, tested for ammonia and nitrites daily and waited. All clear after a week!

[@fmar.8311]

Did you find the air stones actually helped it removing the cloudiness? I have one sitting around not being used and I've got a bacterial bloom going on currently, been about a week and it's not clearing up.

[@MoonKeyDLaughy]

That was helpful. Hope u keeps Uploading videos!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@sameese79]

I moved my 7" goldfish out if my 20gal tank to a different tank then did a approx 25% water change and it cleared my 20gal up. The guppies and sharks quit gasping as well. That 33 cent goldfish is a pain in the butt. It's big enough to eat!

[@jacibrenner1539]

You shouldn't have a big goldfish in a 20. And definitely shouldn't be with guppies and sharks.

[@sststr]

I have a mystery snail breeding tank, 40 gallons, that has become perpetually cloudy. I am not entirely sure why, probably bacterial bloom? But the snails don't seem to be much bothered by it, so I have given up trying to do extra bonus maintenance to clear it up. Although I haven't tried putting a finer pore sponge, that would be an easy thing to try, I guess. I don't care about the extra frequency of changes, that's fine if it helps.

[@duncanabopolodit7592]

I just stopped doing water changes, so the bacteria could stabilize quickly. I also added a big carbon filter pad to my hang on the back.

[@call_me_stan5887]

It all depends on the water and stock, really. But I've heard about a "no water change" approach before. For some it works, for some it doesn't. I was amazed by the results obtained by "Foo The Flowerhorn" on his channel, with a no fert, no CO2, no filter tank. Personally, I'd been using a carbon insert in my HOB as well. It had a dense mesh to trap really small particles too, but the carbon kept on absorbing all my fertilizers and tannins so I stopped using it. During the transition time there was a period of instability but after 2-3 weeks it has improved greatly.

[@jenniferwatson7704]

Dealing with cloudy water now! Tank is established but nitrates have spiked. My water runs a little on the hard side, but fish have always done well. Other water parameters were normal. 75 gal with one large Pleco and one large Oscar. Did a 20% water change and changed filters media. Hopefully will clear up in a few hours. I think they were overfed, causing this spike.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That can happen. If you can get those nitrates down to around 20ppm or less you should be in good shape.

[@tomsmith5456]

I had it , I didn’t cure it ...It just cured itself in about five days .

[@michaeleber4752]

I guess I've been lucky where I did not have much in the way of bacteria blooms. I'm a stickler for filtration, fish per gallon, and feeding. When I've had one, I let things cycle and in a few days the cloudy water just dies down as bacteria levels out. I was taught that throwing in a ton of fish all at once is the biggest source of milky water.

[@alexandrameganco8104]

Proper filtration and 20% wc every 2 weeks.

[@icarrus4u]

Chemi-Pure Elite will make your tank crystal clear! Just starting using it and it's amazing!

[@icarrus4u]

Sunset Seeker Yay! Put it in your filter and wait 2 days and BOOM! Fish swimming in air HA!

[@timmyturtles9670]

I usually drain half the water from the talk and let another good tub of water sit for a couple of good hours and use water conditioner in is as well

[@knyghtryder3599]

I have had a cloudy 75 gallon for over 3 years now, I am more impressed that the cloud is able to maintain the cloudiness so well, I have changed water parameters drastically, I have completely broken it down and restarted, I even moved the tank recently. The cloud is still going strong , I am considering naming it! Maybe Perseverance..... Two weird aspects I user all marine sand and its a freshwater tank also the tank was used and had a weird gunk on it from when we bought it. We also didnt have a lid during construction for half a year hmm many factors

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

At this point - I think cloud deserves a good name!

[@juicyvenom4553]

4:32 the solutions t9 the problem

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for this video, very comprehensive and helpful. We have nothing to lose if we act on all aspects you've described. Is it the case that Yamato shrimp will clean off that bio-film? Also, what aquarium animals are known to clean up extra food that settles on the aquarium floor? Thanks again and thumbs UP!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! For both I am a big fan of bristlenose plecos.

[@johnsilver9055]

My aquarium glass is just old, so the water looks cloudy when really, it's clean

[@johnsilver9055]

@mark skinner still looking for a 50 gallon

[@kristenwinter8157]

Very useful information. Some I never thought about.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@laceytopmiller794]

When I first got my 60 gal, I cycled it..it went thru it's bloom and I added fish slowly after it was cycled....for the longest time I continued to battle cloudy tank...I realized that I was cleaning the filters way to often...so basically, I was killing off my BB and had to wait for the tank to cycle again...my happy medium was to forget about the canister...leave the canister alone...once a month was way to often for my tank...if I wait and only change it once every 3 to 4 months, the water doesn't cloud up

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sounds like it's perfectly dialed in for your set-up now!

[@denisepollitt1021]

Lacey's place. My experience exactly.

[@steve852011]

I had a well cycled clear tank then treated with api fin and body cure, it was like adding milk and made the water cloudy right away. I fed pretty heavy while i was treating cause he was eating and i wanted him well nourished. When i finished the antibiotic treatment i did a 50 % water change and vacumed the gravel. The directions say you need to add carbon, i dont like the carbon cartiges for undergravel filters as i think they really kill the flow, so i added a hang on the back filter that cycled the tank 40 times an hour and ran that for 4 days with no change. I figured that i had done plenty of carbon filtration and decided to remove the hang on filter and let the undergravel filter settle things down, after 3 days still cloudy...

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would make sure there is no ammonia or nitrites. If there is, that could be causing it. I don't use carbon to remove meds - I just do water changes to gradually bring the concentration down. Also, I usually cut back on food when treating for disease because most fish either stop eating or reduce the amount they eat. Hope this helps!

[@Jcarpangler]

I have a 1 year tank and it’s going through a bacterial bloom

[@travisconover4762]

Me too and I have way enough filtration I don't understand.

[@rickrodriguez6675]

I have used Acurel F in the past & still do if need be. With great results.

[@Bullitt1768]

That stuff gums up filters and it's just masking a problem

[@rickrodriguez6675]

I have never had this happen when using this product. It works fast & effectively.

[@DivaDivineGoddess]

Let it cycle for a week Friday put 3 fish in by Sunday cloudy ima Pisces bug know nothing about fish ITS FOR THE CHILDREN 😆

[@rambo58581]

I once used Isinglass which is commonly used as a beer/wine clearing agent in the brewing process. Water cleaned up within hours and was polished nicely by the filter. I have to add tho, this would not be a good idea if your tank contains shrimp or snails.

[@justintrujillo8483]

when ever i disrupt the substrate in my tank it always gets cloudy

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I try to keep substrate in non-planted tanks well gravel-vac'ed to avoid it as much as I can.

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

The shrimp substrate 😒

[@Jagdpantherl]

if i get cloudy water i suspend feeding for a few days and clean the gravel and filter and do water changes and i clean the glass with a scotch brite pad freshly opened and it usually will clear in a day or two.

[@Teramydog]

Water from my well has so many minerals in it that it clouds the water when doing water changes.

[@Chimichuru4782]

Same

[@Lindyphuoc]

So thorough, great information. Thank you.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@alberthazelnuts6372]

Mine come from my house filter not being clean on time.

[@baircichlids5350]

Thanks man definitely needed this one I guess one jumbo box filter isn't enough for a 40-gallon breeder added 1 sponge filter yesterday things cleared up quickly. 👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

BairCichlids Good to hear!

[@danm7298]

I forgot to rinse my 5 bags of gravel when i finally started my new tank. The water is pretty cloudy even after doing a 100% water change. i had to use 5 gallon buckets to fill 125 gallons both times...:( and my bathtub was at the opposite end of the house. Thats how excited i was. i do have a python pump coming in the mail but luckily to drain it i just used an old electric pump and garden hose. But my water is still cloudy. has anyone ever had that problem? i guess ill do more water changes and gravel vacs. maybe buy some filter floss. I already used water clarifier. id really like to get sum fish soon

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Usually gravel doesn't contribute significantly to water cloudiness. Perhaps your gravel did though. I would give it a week and see if everything settles down?

[@danm7298]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks for all your information and answering my questions. you deserve a nobel peace prize for aquatics. It seems like the water is a lot cleaner than the first time i filled it. I see there are other commenters that say theyve had new tanks get cloudy. ill add some smart start and do some maintenance and see if that helps. ill let you know how it turns out.

[@danm7298]

Well i took all the water and gravel out and rinsed it. i wiped the tank out and got all the sand and dust out. i refilled it but it still seems quite cloudy. should i just keep doing water changes? or do u think i should try getting new substrate? Its definitely the gravel that is causing the cloudiness. although it looks better than the first and second times i filled the tank. I really want to get fish in this thing.

[@kirin1230]

I got a tank second hand that came with gravel. It made the wate cloudy even though I washed it. The gravel was very fine, so I likely didn't get all the dust out. I'm planning on waiting for it to settle and hoping the filter and water changes will fix the problem.

[@kirin1230]

@@danm7298 I would recommend waiting for everything to settle. Another possible reason, is that the cloudiness could be small bubbles from new water. Either way, you should probably wait. Also, are you aware of the nitrogen cycle? You can't put a fish in your tank right away. You need to allow the beneficial bacteria to develop. This process can take as long as two months. If you don't allow the bacteria to develop, any fish you put in will die.

[@Caroline-xp4lq]

Thank you 🙏❤️🙏

[@robmormile3911]

Just stumbled on your vid. I know it’s from 3 years ago but about a month ago I had to deal with super cloudy water. This is what happened. I went on holidays for 5 days leaving the fish unfed the whole time. Came back home, everything was sweet, so I fed them. The next day I noticed the water went a little cloudy, by that afternoon the water looked as tho someone had poured flour in my tank. Even behind the suction cups were all gunky. All water parameters were spot on. I was at a loss on what happened. The only thing I could think that might have happened was the fact I didn’t do a weekly maintenance prior to feeding the fish, possibly feeding what bacteria had started to grow by feeding them. I ended up doing a complete new tank setup with a fish is cycle. Was a hard decision to make but all fish done the hard yards. What little troopers. Anyone else come across this situation before?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can happen. Usually a few large water changes and using an algae scrapper on the glass helps.