Keeping Aquarium Water clear and Clean!

keeping the water clear and clean is every hobbyist’s dream. There is probably nothing more disheartening than seeing a cloudy tank!.

But what are some of the reasons behind these strange phenomena?. Milky, Cloudy water? maybe even Green?.

Let us look at the most common reasons for watercolour problems. How to remedy those problems, and how we can prevent them in the first place. Whether a new tank or an established tank!.

How to keep water clear and clean

Before we look at water problems let’s answer the question How to keep Aquarium’s water clear and clean?.

Wash gravel. Allow the tank to cycle don’t overstock and never overfeed. Use a filter powerful enough for the size of your tank. Make regular weekly water changes and clean the filter thoroughly. 

 WHAT’S NEW TANK SYNDROME?

NTS (New Tank Syndrome) Is something most long-time experienced fish hobbyists will have encountered at some point!.

Am I right in its most basic understanding?. NTS is when the tank appears cloudy sometimes milky. This can be because the substrate usually gravel has not been washed properly.

Before being placed in the tank and after the water has been added boom cloudy greyish water. If this happens almost immediately after the water was added.

Or within a few hours chances are it’s the substrate and you will need to just start again re-clean the substrate and redo and add new water!

Bacteria Bloom

If it takes a longer period the next day say it’s more than likely a bacteria bloom. Basically, there has been a spike in ammonia. Maybe some good bacteria but it has not settled and is still floating in the water.

This is most likely because your filter is new. Meaning it’s using new media and has not had enough time to develop or as we say in the game mature!.

This is fine and should solve itself within the natural cycle. You need good bacteria to grow and turn the ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate!.

Be Patient Cycle Aquarium Properly

So be patient. We’ve all heard that one. keep testing until you see nil ammonia and nil nitrite and some nitrate the water should have settled down by then.

Some people use fish flakes to cycle the tank. As food waste will kick start the ammonia process. Once the filter and also the tank itself are matured and start to produce good bacteria.

This bacteria will start converting the ammonia, unfortunately, overfeeding the tank even with fish in it. Will produce too much bad bacteria ammonia!.

So it’s even more tricky with no fish!. The solution here is to either use only a pinch of flakes at first. Keep testing daily or every other day for signs of nitrite.

You can also add some bio boost to help keep ammonia levels down. At the same time as speeding up good bacteria growth.

And the best way is to seed your tank. With some filter media and even some substrate that has been used in an established tank before.

We take half the media from an established tank. which has all the good bacteria needed and the new filter will mature in a matter of just days.

Allowing for no extra fish flakes no messing about. By all means, add some bio boost after a few days to stop ammonia spiking and keep testing.

 WHAT ABOUT CLOUDY WATER IN AN ESTABLISHED TANK?

So we have sorted NTS but what if an established tank becomes cloudy. This is probably most likely even definitely down to one of two reasons.

Overstocking your tank with too many fish or overfeeding your fish or maybe both. In some extreme cases! you have what’s commonly referred to as a bacteria bloom.

Crazy I know as you thought everything was going great but it is easily remedied. You need to be more regular with water changes.

Maybe a 50% water change also cleaning the filter more often will help and thirdly adding plants to help!. Also siphoning/hoovering the waste and debris will help.

 OH NO, MY WATERS GREEN!

This is something that in most cases is not harmful in any way. Unlike ammonia spiking which is very harmful to your fish in short poisoning our little friends!.

Green water tho is a good bacteria bloom. This is from either too much light from your tank light or direct light and or excess nutrients from phosphates and nitrates!.

Solving these is as follows. Lights this is straightforward turn them off and make sure the tanks are out of direct sunlight. If that solves the problem or at least slows the algae growth down then great.

A water change should also be done and the filter should be looked at. More than likely, the filter isn’t keeping up with the filtering process!.

Plant Matter And Fish Waste

The other concern for your tank turning green is from the dreaded Phosphates. Or excess nutrients either from decaying plant matter leftover fish food and or waste erm wee and poo right!.

This will build up in your tank if left unchecked and you basically end up with too much good bacteria!.

This may not look the best but on the whole, is not dangerous for our little fish friends. To solve the issue normally a good water change and getting rid of all the waste that’s built up.

This should do the trick. There are a few other things that can be looked at that involve the filter. As that is where most of your good bacteria are kept lol!.

Make sure the filter is big enough for your tank and also regular cleaning of the filter will help. We give ours a look at every water change!.

 SO IN CLOSING BEST WAYS TO KEEP THE WATER CLEAR AND CLEAN? 

If it’s a new tank make sure the substrate is super clean before placing it in the tank. Use good clean water and condition the water with a tap safe!.

Allow the cycle yes the nitrate cycle. Allow this to complete be patient!. Pro tip seed your new tank with media from an established tank.

Half in your new filter half in the tank’s water. This will not only speed things up but negate the need to add any ammonia yourself.

No need for fish flakes etc! Never do a water change on a new tank give it some time to cycle!.

Established Tank Overfeeding Overstocking And Filter

On our established tanks make sure the filter is powerful enough for the size of the tank being used. Never overstock your tank and keep up with regular water changes.

These are super important and of course, clean the filter. We would also suggest a couple of bottom feeders plecos will keep on top of the excess algae!.

Lastly, two main points. try not to overfeed your fish and cut down on the waste a little. Last but not least remember to turn the tank lights off they should only be on for around 10 hours a day anyway!.

In closing, you can also add crystal clear. Or clear fast or one of the other products. Their all similar just different brands to keep the water well super clean.

This should be done along with all the other steps in this post for the best results!. Hope you take a look around our site and have learned some valuable information. If you have any advice or if you need any advice. Feel to chat don’t be shy lol see you soon the Tank0fish team!.