the water in my 60 gallon aquarium is cloudy, with a white tint to it. i do a 15 gallon water change every week.. (at least). i believe i have sufficient filtration... they are fed small amounts twice a day... any idea as to what could cause white water??

before anyone can really help you they are going to want to know your ammonia levels along with nitrates and nitrites and im assuming your tanks been cycled

furthermore, did you clean your filtering system?
it is common mistake, to alter the filter media by
cleaning every time they do water change. cleaning
should be done using tank water in a bucket,,, or
do not touch the filter unless necessary.

water parameter is needed too. ammonia? nitrate? nitrite?

99% of the time if your parameters are ok its known as a bacterial bloom.....it will clear after a week or 2 but big waterchanges will increase the problem ..leave your tank completely alone for 5 -7 days with the lights off at all times and it will definately clear..........as long as your parameters are ok

yeah i screwed up and cleaned one of the filters, pump and everything in the bathtub. ( it was nasty) well another lesson learned. and i have been changing the water quite often, probably a little too often. i need to get a better water test kit, the strips i have don't even have an area for ammonia. i'll get water parameters up soon.

Them water test strips are so unreliable, i would really recommend a proper water test kit, i'll see if i can get you a good link for 1.
also, thats probably the reason for your cloudy water, (the total clean out of the filter)
like a few of the guys as said, its best to not clean it out to much, just give it a clean when needed, its not the filter cleaning thats going to clear your water, its your water changes.
1 thing to remember mate, never clean your filter media in tap water, make sure its always cleaned in your tank water.
i hope this helps mate

when you say proper test kit, what does that entail? are those the kits w/ drops and everything i've seen at petsmart or petco.... i really wish there was a fish specialty store here, all i have are the big chains...

can you buy online? if so, check this link out mate.
www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/test-kits-c-44_273.html

I use the API freshwater master test kit.

petsmart carries the american pharmaceutical (api) master test kit in all their locations. this kit uses a liquid reagent to test for ammonia nitrites nitrates and both high and low range ph. they are quite easy to use and very reliable. the cost about $30 or so and i would strongly recommend this brand to anyone who is looking for a good test kit.

What do you know... i didn't do too bad on my own. on my way home from work, that's exactly what i bought at petco.

here we go: ammonia 0ppm, nitrate between 5-10ppm, nitrite 0ppm.

Thor84 wrote:




PERFECT WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!