Cloudy water in an aquarium: what to do? Video

Cloudy water in an aquarium is unaesthetic and, among other things, very dangerous for the health of fish. This kind of trouble can happen for several reasons. Improper aquarium maintenance, rotting algae, the presence of putrefactive bacteria, overpopulation, overfeeding of fish are just the most common causes of cloudy water. This problem can appear due to suspended fine soil particles, which are formed due to careless pouring of fresh water into the aquarium. This is quite harmless turbidity, after a while it will disappear by itself when suspended particles fall to the bottom of the aquarium.

Quite often the water becomes cloudy the first time you start the aquarium. This is due to the fact that a biological balance has not yet been established in it. In this case, no action is required. You should wait a little, and the water itself will become transparent.

A faulty or poorly designed cleaning system can cause cloudiness in the aquarium water. There must be a filter in the aquarium. This is especially important when there are a lot of fish in it.

The water in the aquarium is always alive. Its condition is the result of the interaction of its inhabitants, including algae. That is why it takes time and a competent approach to restore water.

First, you need to identify the exact cause of this trouble. If the root of the problem lies in the overpopulation of the “reservoir”, it is necessary to urgently reduce the number of its inhabitants, or improve the purification system by purchasing a more powerful filter. It will help maintain biological balance in your home pond. Overpopulation is especially dangerous in aquariums that are not equipped with cleaning and aeration systems. The water in them quickly becomes cloudy, and the fish in it simply suffocate.

If food residues are constantly settling on the bottom of the aquarium, the amount should be reduced. Remember: feed only as much as the fish can eat at a time, and not an ounce more! Here the rule applies: it is better to underfeed than overfeed. You can also add bottom fish to the aquarium, which will happily eat up the remains of food. However, this is only possible if the volume of the aquarium allows it, otherwise you will achieve overpopulation and negate all your efforts to eliminate the problem of cloudy water.

There is one iron rule among aquarists – one liter of water is required for one centimeter of fish. It turns out that only two or three fish with an average body length can be populated in a ten-liter aquarium.

Putrefactive bacteria are another enemy of aquarium cleanliness. They appear, as a rule, when there is an excess of feed. If reducing the amount of feed does not help, you can try not feeding the fish for two to three days. Believe me, such unloading will not harm the inhabitants of the aquarium, rather, it will benefit them. In addition, putrefactive bacteria, having lost their power source, will simply die.

Cleaning the aquarium is also important. Clean your aquarium wisely. Many novice aquarists, when the water becomes cloudy, resort to drastic measures – they completely replace it. In this case, not only all the water is extracted from the aquarium, but also fish, algae and soil. The latter is thoroughly washed, almost sterilized, and sometimes completely replaced with a new one. The result is clear water in the aquarium. True, not for long: a month later it will mercilessly grow cloudy again! In addition, its inhabitants are experiencing tremendous stress as a result of such a general cleaning. For them, this approach is like for us a flood, an earthquake and a fire combined.

No need to replace all the water completely! It will be enough to pour out a few liters of water from the aquarium once a week and replace them with a fresh portion. The aquarium soil should be cleaned using a special device – a siphon. By following this simple rule, you can easily keep the water in your aquarium clean for a long time.

The problem with muddy water can be the proliferation of “bad” algae. If the remains of food constantly accumulate at the bottom of the aquarium or the “pond” receives a lot of light, dangerous algae, which is popularly called “black beard”, can begin to grow in it. Getting rid of this scourge is not so easy, but possible. This will help a siphon of soil, frequent water changes, as well as replanting higher plants and snails in the aquarium. The latter love to feast on algae, including “bad” ones. Over time, the “black beard” will disappear, and the water will become clear.

Aquarium plants must not be allowed to rot. If darkening and sliminess develop, they must be removed without fail.

Chemicals can be used to combat muddy water. However, they should be used with caution, otherwise the inhabitants of the aquarium may not withstand such an attack and die.

Cloudiness in aquarium water is a natural process that should not be feared. Follow the tips above to keep your aquarium clean and happy and healthy in a comfortable environment.