Water cloudy (mlky), why?

[Skip]

29 gallon tank.
4 goldfish (4-5 inches)
water turning slighly milky (not clear)
What is the cause, and remedy.
thanks

[Steve]

Skip wrote:
> 29 gallon tank.
> 4 goldfish (4-5 inches)
> water turning slighly milky (not clear)
> What is the cause, and remedy.
> thanks
>

It's probably suspended bacteria, which I've experienced with a fairly
new aquarium. If the aquarium has been set up with fish in it for less
than 4-5 weeks that could be it - and some partial water changes may be
in order. It'll probably clear up as the tank and biological filtration
become established (mine did :) ).

If it's a well established aquarium I'd only be guessing. But then I
think stronger filtration (and possibly bigger tank?) might help.
Partial water changes meanwhile...

Steve

[Fishman]

Cloudy water falls into two main groups: Green and Milky

Green water is suspended algae.
Milky water is suspended bacteria. There are two principle reasons and both
of them are based on the concept of too much food.

As mentioned in a separate post, milky water from a recently set up tank
(1-2 months old) is typical and will eventually clear up once the nitrogen
cycle completes and settles to the tank parameters.

In an established tank, milky water is a typical result of too much waste
that provides a food source for bacteria. I would recommend looking at your
maintenance routine and/or the frequency and amount of feedings. Milky
water can usually be solved with corrections to one or both of these.

Fishman


"Skip" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> 29 gallon tank.
> 4 goldfish (4-5 inches)
> water turning slighly milky (not clear)
> What is the cause, and remedy.
> thanks
>

[Larry]

>
>In an established tank, milky water is a typical result of too much waste
>that provides a food source for bacteria. I would recommend looking at your
>maintenance routine and/or the frequency and amount of feedings. Milky
>water can usually be solved with corrections to one or both of these.



I have a 10g with a goldfish in it and since I changed the filter for
a new one(mini penguin type) I have had milky water.

I feed my 6-7" fish 1/4 tsp twice daily(pellets) so I don't tshink
that's a lot..is it?

I think I might have lost my good bacteria with the filter change and
that's the reason. Can't wait for it to clear up.

[Fishman]

You may very well have. A complete filter change is almost a sure way of
recycling your tanks. Be sure to test the water more frequently during this
time to ensure that your tank cycles as expected. Thereafter, the
cloudiness should clear up after the tank settles.

Fishman


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
>
> >
> >In an established tank, milky water is a typical result of too much waste
> >that provides a food source for bacteria. I would recommend looking at
your
> >maintenance routine and/or the frequency and amount of feedings. Milky
> >water can usually be solved with corrections to one or both of these.
>
>
>
> I have a 10g with a goldfish in it and since I changed the filter for
> a new one(mini penguin type) I have had milky water.
>
> I feed my 6-7" fish 1/4 tsp twice daily(pellets) so I don't tshink
> that's a lot..is it?
>
> I think I might have lost my good bacteria with the filter change and
> that's the reason. Can't wait for it to clear up.

[Robert Flory]

"Skip" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> 29 gallon tank.
> 4 goldfish (4-5 inches)
> water turning slighly milky (not clear)
> What is the cause, and remedy.
> thanks
>

Quick fix, try Accurel F -- The only thing I buy at Petco. It will clear
the water overnight ....
then you have time to fix the root cause.

bob

[Steve]

Robert Flory wrote:
> "Skip" > wrote in message
>>water turning slighly milky (not clear)
>>What is the cause, and remedy.
>>thanks
>>
>
>
> Quick fix, try Accurel F -- The only thing I buy at Petco. It will clear
> the water overnight ....
> then you have time to fix the root cause.
>
> bob
>
>

Chemicals :( .
Steve

[NetMax]

"Steve" > wrote in message
.. .
> Robert Flory wrote:
>> "Skip" > wrote in message
>>>water turning slighly milky (not clear)
>>>What is the cause, and remedy.
>>>thanks
>>>
>>
>>
>> Quick fix, try Accurel F -- The only thing I buy at Petco. It will
>> clear the water overnight ....
>> then you have time to fix the root cause.
>>
>> bob
>
> Chemicals :( .
> Steve

lol, true, but I think Accurel F is mostly a flocculent (though some
flocculants are now packaged with bacteria starter in them). A
flocculent temporarily attaches itself and coats particles, and then it
later breaks down releasing the particles. The idea is that if the
particles are bacteria or algae spores, then they will die or be filtered
out. If the particles are non-organic (fines), then they will be pulled
down into the substrate and out of the water column.

I've used them at work occasionally with very mixed results (though some
people swear by them to treat symptoms before treating the root cause of
the problem). They aren't exactly 'chemicals' in that they are not
dissolving to change the water parameters, but I was never convinced that
they had no effect on fish (wouldn't they coat the gills and possibly
impede respiration?). They shouldn't be used on cycling tanks (bacterial
bloom) imo.

Flocculants are a major part of treating the municipal water most of us
drink.
--
www.NetMax.tk