Particles in Water

Mawgan

New Member
Apr 2, 2015
2
0
1
Uk
Hi All, I'm completely stuck and fed up with seeing my water full of little particles. I'm completely new to keeping plecs and have run a 400L tank for around 8 months now. Another 120 L for around 6 months. In the small tank are 4 zebras and 2 snowballs and all is great. In the 400L I have 5 tiger plecs around 2.5", a blue phantom app 5", another around 2.5" and 2 snowballs. I also have some corys and some tetras. The plecs are growing nicely and appear really healthy. I have an E-heim pro 3 400-600L canister running. One day, after I change my water and clean my filter, the water begins to clear but within a few days the tank starts to look dirty again and full of particles. I clean the bottom of the tank about twice a week and have changed some of my filter media to more of the foam. I clean the canister every week. Can someone tell me where I am going wrong please - I'm worried I don't have enough filtration on the tank or perhaps have too many plecs in there. Would I be better running the tank with a sump? I'd hate to think I'm not taking care of these little guys properly and would appreciate any advice.
 

jamo33

Member
Apr 22, 2015
20
0
1
Sydney
Let me start by saying my information may not be 100% and others will certainly have a better knowledge than me, but I would love to help if i can. First off what do you mean by particles? small white specks? Cloudy water? etc etc. What are the water parameters? When did this problem start?
I wouldn't say the tank is overstocked.

My personal tank upkeep seems more laxed than yours and I have no issues, i don't know about others but my canister filter lasts at least 2 weeks before a clean. Maybe i am doing that wrong but i fear I will be removing too much bacteria if I am cleaning filter and doing water change each week. Perhaps try just a simple water change if water is cloudy, don't disturb the gravel or substrate and see what happens. Could be a bacteria bloom?

Hope maybe this helps a little, but get back to everyone with water parameters and there may be a better chance for everyone to help.

Jamo