I have a question I'm hoping someone can help with. I've had my 29-gallon tank up and running for 6 months now. I'm not new to fishkeeping. I've run into a problem I've never had before. My tank was properly cycled (to a "T") and has done extremely well since the cycle was done.
My water has always been crystal clear and the levels have stayed darn-near perfect (and still are). My fish are healthy and happy. I have not lost a fish for any reason in over a year.
With that said, here is my problem. I did my weekly water change (25%) and added a new filter cartridge (the new cartridge was put in the day after the water change as per usual). Before someone asks, no I do not change the filter every week, just once a month. This is the first time my water has become cloudy after this process. In all my years, I've never had this happen. It looks like someone poured a half-gallon of milk into the tank. Very odd. My fish are all acting normal with their usual disposition and respiration and my levels all continue to test in the normal range. It's just the water is cloudy (and getting worse).
Has anyone run into a problem like this? I treat my water a day before putting it into the tank and allow it to vent and warm to room temp. It's been my magic trick, so that can't be it. I've changed the filter cartridge this way for years, so that can't be it. This tank is 6 months old, so it's not a cycling issue (but perhaps a re-cycle issue). What could it be?
The only thing I can think of is the algae wafers. I just started adding them for my Cory Cats to enjoy. Could they have sparked an overabundance of algae in my tank? I'm stumped. Any ideas? Has this happened to anyone else here? How can I try to solve this mystery?
My water has always been crystal clear and the levels have stayed darn-near perfect (and still are). My fish are healthy and happy. I have not lost a fish for any reason in over a year.
With that said, here is my problem. I did my weekly water change (25%) and added a new filter cartridge (the new cartridge was put in the day after the water change as per usual). Before someone asks, no I do not change the filter every week, just once a month. This is the first time my water has become cloudy after this process. In all my years, I've never had this happen. It looks like someone poured a half-gallon of milk into the tank. Very odd. My fish are all acting normal with their usual disposition and respiration and my levels all continue to test in the normal range. It's just the water is cloudy (and getting worse).
Has anyone run into a problem like this? I treat my water a day before putting it into the tank and allow it to vent and warm to room temp. It's been my magic trick, so that can't be it. I've changed the filter cartridge this way for years, so that can't be it. This tank is 6 months old, so it's not a cycling issue (but perhaps a re-cycle issue). What could it be?
The only thing I can think of is the algae wafers. I just started adding them for my Cory Cats to enjoy. Could they have sparked an overabundance of algae in my tank? I'm stumped. Any ideas? Has this happened to anyone else here? How can I try to solve this mystery?
- 29-gallon tank
- 2 filters: Tetra EX45 and a Top Fin 30
- 12 fish in the tank (Platy, Molly, Cory)
- Water temp is 78-80 degrees and remains consistent
- Aquarium established 6 months ago
- Cycled properly
- 25% water change weekly
- Alternate filter changes monthly
- Level are near-perfect and consistent