[Jda]

I have struggled with cloudy water for weeks. I have had my water tested and told it isn’t related to algae, but my PH, GH, and KH are high. I have been doing water changes every couple days and started using accu-clear. Did nothing and so one last ditch effort I took out 80% of the water vacuuming the gravel really good. To my amazement, it was crystal clear and beautiful. 3 days later I see it starting to resemble a white cloudy appearance again. Trying to get ahead of it and get advice. Can PH cause cloudy water? I gave 5 glofish and 2 African dwarf frogs in a 20 gallon.

ph 8.5
Kh 240
Gh 180
Nitrates 0

Also, not a new tank. It’s been up for 2 months and was crystal clear and then suddenly went cloudy and unable to see anything in it. Been babying it trying to keep the fish happy and healthy.

Take out the gravel. Something in the gravel must be dissolving in the water. Also do you use well water or city water? I suspect the gravel is breaking down. I do not use gravel. I use sponge filters and marineland filters with charcoal. Plastic plants can be used to replace the gravel. Remember that certain foods will clod water if used in excess. Good luck!

 

[Jda]

I have city water. Not very good city water at that. So you just have a bare bottom tank? I also have a sponge filter. I’ve had it for 2-3 weeks now.

You will notice on u tube that serious breeders do not use gravel. Years ago i took out my gravel and undergravel filters and replaced them with sponge filters, old type bubble up filters and hang on the back marineland filters. You can never have too much filtration. I use plastic plants for decorations
City water needs to age at least three to four weeks to dissipate chlorine and ammoniates You need to change 10 % of the water each month. The bare botom tank makes it easy to suck out any debris on the bottom. Also ring out your sponge filter with the old water from the aquarium.

These techniques have worked for me to raise and breed fresh water angel fish.

 

[Jda]

These differences are due to differences in fish species . Tropical fish have varried habitats. Differences in water parameters, pH etc. You need to learn about the requirements of the fish.
I cannot use tap water directly with angel fish because of all the chemicals I found it can kill. Other fish are more resilient.
Maintaining an aquarium doesn t need to be so expensive and sophisticated as stated in a previous post

Read up on the habitat of the fish you have in your tank.

 

[Jda]

I know people give different explanations. I just get defeated when it clouds up. I took out the two plants I bought because they don’t thrive in high ph. I cleaned really good where they were and it’s not cloudy anymore. I feel like there’s so many different causes for cloudy water. Just trying to learn. Thank you.

Some people think you just set up your tank and sit back and warch. Like anything else good you need to work at it! Yes, there is constant maintenance and learning new things. Keep trying.