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Something strange is happening in my 20 gallon tank. Last week i noticed my filter, an aquaclear 200, didn't have the usual water flow. I took it apart, cleaned it well, with no improvement. Yesterday, the water turned REALLY cloudy, almost white, like a fog. Thinking it was the poor water flow, i immediately went and got a new motor for my filter. The water flow is now back to normal, but it's been over a day and the water is even worse. I haven't done anything different in the tank. I do a weekly 30% water change, the ph is at 7.2ppm, nitrites 0 and nitrates at 10ppm. I'm aware it could be in a mini cycle, but i was wondering if anyone knows about "suspended algae"? At least i think that's what the LFS called it. Does anyone have any ideas what might be going on and what i can do to fix this? Also, is this awful looking water hurting my fish? None seem to be suffering yet, all acting normal. Thanks in advance.

It's impossible for us to say for certain that the conditions you are experiencing in your tank will not hurt the fish BUT... I suspect that it will not. Do keep a watchful eye on them though for any signs of distress or odd behavior.

The problems you had with the filtration unit more than likely is what contributed to the cloudy water so fixing that should go a long way to solving the problem.

Keep a close eye on your water parameters.

About all I can suggest from the information you have given us is to double up on water changes for a week or two. Two or even three 30% water changes per week for a couple of weeks.

Suspended Algae (or maybe they meant algae blooms) or even green water as they sometimes call it, usually occurs when there is an over abundance of nutrients in the water. Phosphates being the main one. It can also happen if the tank is receiving direct sunlight. Cutting back on the availability of light and food for the fish for a period of time may help.

Is this a planted tank and do you add any water additives to the water beyond dechlorinator?

The tank isn't planted, nor does it receive direct sunlight. The water isn't green, even when trasferred to a white bucket. I leave my water out usually a day or two, with an air stone and a heater in it. I use aqua plus and also proper ph 7.0 . I used to use peat in my tanks, since my tap water has a ph of over 7.6, but disliked the color and smell. At first i thought maybe the proper ph may have contributed to the cloudy water, but i don't think so. I switched all my tanks over to proper ph and haven't had any problems in the 3 months i've been using it. I've been putting in more fresh vegetables for my pleco's and didn't know that this could be putting too many nutrients in the water, so i will cut back on the zucchini. Every time i think i'm doing something good for my babies, it backfires on me. Thanks for the info Tammy.

I have noticed my tank doing same thing from time to time.I just continue my bi-weekly water changes and after a period of time it does clear up. I worried at first; but noticed water chemistry never changed, so I don't get too worked up about now. Patience.

Bacterial die-off from the plugged up filter is most likely the culprit of the cloudy water, or bacterial bloom due to the resurgence of filtration, or a combination of the two. Time should take care of it, and if you have some Bio-Spira might be a good time to give it a few squirts.

I have never seen white colored suspended algae, personally. I'm thinking it would be hard to photosynthesize as an albino algae. They sell you some algae-be-gone liquid to go along with that sage advice?

edit - as long as the fresh veggies are being eaten, I wouldn't worry about the veggies unless there are veggie particles floating around suspended in the water causing a mess. What you have , since it is white, is highly unlikely to be algae, and for that reason is not likely to have been caused by nutrients. Green water is a whole different animal, but in your case I would continue feeding those plecs the good stuff.

[span class="edited"][Edited by jake 2004-08-17 07:19][/span]

The addition of the "New Improved Cycle" will restore the good bacteria and clear the tank...

The time frame for clearing after dosing will be at least two weeks.

Because of the scarcity of Bio Spira, another bacteria starter, the product should not be promoted.

--garyroland.

Thank you to everyone who replied. When I got home today the water was completely clear. I believe it was the combination of a malfunctioning filter and leaving the vegetables in until there was nothing left but the "skin". (usually all day) I did water changes every second day and added NIC and everything seems back to normal. (I'll do some tests in a bit) I can't deprive my wonderful plecos of zucchini, it's the only chance i really get to see them. They love it so much. From now on, as soon as they have a good feed of it and start to lose interest, I'll remove it from the tank. I've been in this hobby over a year now and everyday I learn something new from you guys.
Thanks again.