My Fish Tank Water Has Turned Cloudy

It is not uncommon for aquarium water to suddenly turn cloudy. Many people refer to cloudy water as a bacterial, or algae bloom. Quite often people who have just set their tanks up complain because they are worried about why their water has suddenly turn cloudy. Quite often the most simple things can result in your water turning cloudy. Sand and gravel can often contain dirt and impurities. If you don't wash your new substrate properly then the chances are you are going to end up with cloudy water once you put the water in. This could carry on for a while every time you disturb your substrate so always prewash your substrate thoroughly and this will reduce the chances of you ending up with very cloudy aquarium water in your new aquarium..

A bacterial bloom can occur in not just new tanks, but well-established aquariums as well. The cloudiness in the water is caused by free swimming bacteria that form when there is an imbalance between your beneficial bacteria and the amount of waste being produced by your fish. In other words, if the amount of ammonia produced by your fish out ways the beneficial bacteria in your filters then bacteria will start growing in the aquarium water which is why it turned cloudy. Generally these bacterial blossoms as they are also known are not harmful to your fish as the amount of ammonia present is often very low and doesn't last very long. If you have a well-established biological filter then things should go back to normal fairly quickly, however a moderate sized water change can often bring the situation under control. It is important that you cut back on feeding until your water settles down and the cloudiness dissipates.

The overstocking of a fish tank often results in cloudy water. What you are doing is introducing more waste than the filtration can cope with.  Ammonia starts talking up in the tank water and this is when the water goes cloudy. In situations like this, your fish are at risk. You must carry out extra water changes and if necessary, use products like Prime that will convert the ammonia into a non-toxic form.

Green algae can also be the cause of cloudy aquarium water. Green algae is not directly harmful to your fish, it just looks unsightly and may mean you can't see your fish properly.

Preventing algae from growing in your tank is not difficult. Just follow a few simple rules. Don't leave your lights on for too long, eight hours a day is probably the recommended period for lighting your aquarium. Don't put your tank in direct sunlight, this is a sure way of encouraging algae growth. Carry out regular water changes as high nitrate levels will encourage algae to grow.