Everytime I QT my tank gets cloudy

[Darbna]

So I got a few new fish, a small brown powder and Small blue Powder, pink spot goby, 6 line wrasse, and 2 black clowns. I set the tank up, and in a day or 2 it always gets cloudy. Fish seem OK, eating, but the blue powder seems stressed with constant swimming. I have the heater set at 79 and a small powerhead going for circulation. Ammonia is 0 but the tank still gets cloudy. Any suggestions?

 

[NanaReefer]

What are you doing for filtration? Sounds like a bacteria bloom. Other possibilities, calcium precipitation, algae bloom.

 

[Darbna]

I got two hang on filters on each side running. Used to run one and got cloudy, so I tried the two. What can I do to circumvent the bacteria bloom if that is what it is? Also, I do not have a light on the tank only the room lights for observation.

 

[NanaReefer]

Great read explanation.
http://www.marineaquariumservice.com/cloudy-marine-aquarium-water/

 

[Darbna]

Just ordered an air stone and another small power head

 

[Humblefish]

Any medications being used in the QT? Any natural sunlight hitting the tank?

 

[Darbna]

Any medications being used in the QT? Any natural sunlight hitting the tank?

No and No. Only Copper at this time.

 

[Humblefish]

No and No. Only Copper at this time.

What kind of HOBs are you running? Do they contain "seeded" bio-media?

 

[Darbna]

What kind of HOBs are you running? Do they contain "seeded" bio-media?

I have 2 aqueon QuietFlow 20 running and there is no bio media. I am using synthetic mixed with RO. Ammonia Badge good, and reading 0 on accual test. Fish are eating some. Using pellets and have some brine shrimp to keep them eating. So far so good. but still cloudy.

 

[maroun.c]

Looks like a bacterial bloom. if this is very frequent it might be a sign that tank is not properly cycled and bacteria is multiplying with each quarantine session as if the tank is newly setup.

 

[melypr1985]

there is no bio media

Your filters dont have a sponge or something for bacteria to grow on? They are just empty aside from the water going through them?

 

[Darbna]

Your filters dont have a sponge or something for bacteria to grow on? They are just empty aside from the water going through them?

No I have sponge and
Acurel Ammonia Reducing Pad
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28058

 

[melypr1985]

No I have sponge and
Acurel Ammonia Reducing Pad
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28058

Ohh!! Well that clears that up. :) I dont know much about this particular product, but I'm curious as to if it is having anything to do with your water problems. It could be contributing in some way. It says this at the link you provided:

Please Note: Acurel Ammonia Reducing Pad should be used as a preventive measure. It is not a remedy for sustained ammonia concentrations and should ONLY be used in freshwater aquariums and ponds"

 

[melypr1985]

Oh and I'm not sure if this filter pad has the same properties as amquel or other liquid ammonia reducers, but as a general rule we recommend not combining any ammonia reducers with copper as it makes the copper turn so toxic it will kill the fish. Of course, your fish are still alive right? So this pad probably isn't doing that, but I thought I would mention it.

 

[Humblefish]

Please Note: Acurel Ammonia Reducing Pad should be used as a preventive measure. It is not a remedy for sustained ammonia concentrations and should ONLY be used in freshwater aquariums and ponds

*BINGO*

 

[Deinonych]

Looks like a bacterial bloom. if this is very frequent it might be a sign that tank is not properly cycled and bacteria is multiplying with each quarantine session as if the tank is newly setup.

+1

Likely the biofilter is not up to snuff. Best to seed the biofilter with some sort of media. Some keep ceramic media in their sumps and use as needed. An alternative is to use an inert substrate (e.g. Seachem Matrix) in a HOB filter and seed with a bacteria-in-a-bottle product. I've had great results with Bio-spira, personally.

 

[Bunnee911]

I have used Dr Tims successfully.

 

[Darbna]

Oh and I'm not sure if this filter pad has the same properties as amquel or other liquid ammonia reducers, but as a general rule we recommend not combining any ammonia reducers with copper as it makes the copper turn so toxic it will kill the fish. Of course, your fish are still alive right? So this pad probably isn't doing that, but I thought I would mention it.

Thank you I did some research and a few other were using this pad for the same reasons dn with saltwater. I have had the same issue with other filter pads so I thought I wold give this a try. The fish are alive and well. prob gonna do a water change tomorrow and add back some copper once finished and going to add an air stone and another small powerhead to turn the water a little more in hopes to break the bacteira bloom.