AquariumPros Forums

This is a new hobby to me. I love my 2 month old 40 gallon freshwater tank. But.....I have had cloudy water for the past 3 weeks, it's driving me crazy. I have 2 mollies, 4 playts, 2 gouramis. 4 days ago I took my water into the local petstore for testing, they said it is fine. I would classify it is a white cloudy problem. They suggested that I put a Fluval water polishing pad in my filter and hold off on the water changes. I previously had been doing about a 20% change twice a week. I am only feeding once a day, very sparingly. i notice that there is green algae forming on the spout of my filter. Is there anything I can Do??????

If the local shop won't give you the actual values for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH, you'll need to get your own kit to test the water yourself ... it's actually best to do this anyway as many shops don't properly train their employees.

I'd suggest you read the article on the Nitrogen Cycle linked in my signature ... even without all the needed information (there is a sticky thread at the top of each forum) I think it's safe to say that your tank is still cycling and the water changes you've been doing are delaying that process. You've likely got a bacterial bloom which is normal ... and there's nothing you can or should do for it at this point.

My recommendations would be:

• Read up on what the cycle is all about so you understand what's going on
• Get your own test kit or find another shop that will give you the actual numbers for the results
• No more water changes until the cycle is complete
• No filter changes until after the cycle is complete

As far as the algae ... not all algae is bad. If you don't have live plants, it's likely you are overfeeding a bit and there are excess nutrients in the water ... if you do, the proper lighting and fertilizers are needed to achieve the proper plant growth.

And remember ... this is not a simple hobby. Research and patience are required.

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Diane

2.5 Gallon Betta
30 Gallon Angel Community
55 Gallon Community (Jack Dempsey)
60 Gallon Discus Community
75 Gallon Discus Community

Do the research first.......Questions? Read these for answers!
The Nitrogen Cycle
The CO2 / KH / pH Relationship
UGF Pros & Cons
Plant Health
Algae!
Algae in Planted Tanks
Understanding Ich
HLLE or Hole-in-the-Head Disease

thank you very much for your recommendation. i will stop my water changes. i hear patience is the key to this hobby!!