Why does the water become cloudy in the aquarium?Many aquarium fish lovers from time to time ask this question. and it’s a genuine question because the health of the fish depends on the quality of the water. But there is no unequivocal answer to this question, however, there may be several reasons for this phenomenon.
Why does the water become cloudy in the aquarium?
The following are some main reasons:
Gravel residue
If, after filling the aquarium with new water, it immediately or after an hour or two becomes cloudy, the reason may be insufficient washing of the soil, namely gravel. What should be done in this case? Empty the tank and rinse the gravel thoroughly. The gravel must be washed until the water in which you are doing it is completely clear. Then put the gravel on the bottom and refill the water. If the problem of turbidity was in the gravel, the water will become completely transparent.
Dissolving the constituent objects that are in the aquarium
If the water remains cloudy after washing the gravel, it may be due to the slow dissolution of other objects in the aquarium. Most often, in this case, we are talking about phosphates, silicates, and heavy metals. At the same time, an increased pH level of the water is usually observed. Treatment of water with the help of means that improve its quality can become getting rid of the problem.
Reproduction of bacteria
Usually, the turbidity of the water due to this reason does not appear immediately, but after days, weeks, and even months after the installation of the aquarium. If the cause is precisely the bacteria, then nothing needs to be done. The turbidity of the water will disappear by itself after a while.
Rotting plants and excess feed
Food residues floating in the water can cause milky white water to become cloudy. This is due to the increased growth of bacteria trying to destroy the food. Nothing special should be done in this case. You just need to give the fish as much food as they eat, and remove the excess. It is also necessary to remove feed residues and debris from the bottom. Feed your fish less often. Do this not every day, but every 2-3 days. In this case, the excess feed will not remain, and the water will not become cloudy.
Flake precipitate
Sometimes the water can become cloudy due to debris in the water that flakes at the bottom. These flakes can be easily removed with a filter (remember to clean the filter before use, this will work better). Filters for removing debris from the aquarium are sold in pet stores and are easy to purchase.
Green water
The water does not turn green by itself, but due to the increased growth of algae. Here are the main reasons for greening water:
- The lighting is too strong. If the aquarium is in the sun, or if the lamps above it are lit 24 hours a day, this ultimately leads to increased algae growth. To slow down their growth, it is necessary to remove the aquarium from the sunlight and limit the time spent under the lamps.
- Excess nutrients in the water. Substances such as phosphates and nitrates contribute to the growth of algae, so there should be as little of them in the aquarium as possible. Changing the composition of the water can reduce its green color, but it does not completely solve the problem. It is important to find the source of the appearance of phosphates and nitrates, then only the problem can be eliminated.
Phosphates
The sources of these substances can be decaying fish food and water itself. If you analyze your tap water, you can find out if it contains phosphates. If your water initially contains a lot of them, you will have to use a reverse osmosis water desalination agent or agents that can remove phosphate from your water.
Nitrates
These substances are a byproduct of fish life. The only way to remove them is to change the water. Make sure your filter is clean and powerful enough to clean your aquarium. If you can remove all the debris with the filter, your nitrate levels will drop noticeably.
In the vast majority of cases, you can get rid of turbidity in the aquarium by weekly replacing 10-15% of the water, keeping the gravel clean, and choosing good quality food for the fish.
Also Read:
Aquarium Stones
What Equipment To Buy For An Aquarium
How To Leave Aquarium Fish For The Time Of Departure