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I have a tank that has always been as clear as glass. I used to have black rock in the bottom and then I changed it to black sand (easier on the bellies of the plecos). I do water changes regularly and vaccuum the tank and such. But all of a sudden, this tank has little particles floating in it - looks like dusty floating around (if that makes any sense). I did a 50% water change again, but it didn't help. What's up with this? This tank has been set up for probably 2 years and the sand has been in it for probably 2 or 3 months.

When was the last time you changed your filter media? Sometimes sand can clog it.
Amanda

I have changed the filter cartridge and cleaned out the black filter piece...maybe I need to tear apart the whole filter? I'll try that...can't hurt! The cloudiness doesn't seem to both the fish - just me.

Do you feel that the filter is pumping as much water as usual? I've had the problem that some of the small holes inside the filter unit gets clogged, and the filter itself stops working as good as it used to. It's not particularly "instant", but at some point the filter will not work as efficently as it should and it's not enough to get the water clean... You can usually tell from the flow of the filter by just looking at the water-turbulence.

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Mats

It seems to move the water as fast as always...but I'll double check it tonight when I get home. Maybe tearing it apart and giving it a thorough cleaning is due...or perhaps the filter is craping out on me. :lol

It could be a bloom of rotiferans or ciliates. Take a sample in a small glass, and see if they move by their own.

I'd be inclined to test your water, in case you've knocked your Bio-filter out of wack.

I made a 30%+ water change on one tank very recently, rinsed the filter in the out-going tank water. That afternoon the water had gone cloudy, which I thought was a bit odd. Conducted a water test, the Nitrite level was a shocker! Another immediate 50% water change, seemed to bring things closer to normal. I'm still monitoring it...

I tested the water for everything - it all checks out just fine.

I did a better than 50% water change....not as cloudy, but still is....

Still not sure what the heck the problem is.

Who occupies this tank? Sometimes Corydora sp. can turn up the substrate making the water quite cloudy. I have a tank with Aeneus Cories who are very adept at turning up the substrate, clouding the water and clogging the filter. Since I've moved them into a 15 gallon tank, by themselves(for the moment), I've added a second hang-on-back filter, so I can clean it as it gets messed, impeller and all.
Amanda

This tank is occupied by too many fish - that I know - I use it as my "grow" tank and when the smaller fish I buy get bigger, then I move them to my bigger tanks with fish of the same size/breed (I have found that even peaceful community fish will pick on the little guy).

In this tank are longfin black skirt tetras (3 - ready to move out), orange von rio tetras (6 - but they are not quite 3/4" long), blue tetras (6 - about 1.5" long, ready to move out), 2 spotted corys (not sure what kind), and I just recently transplanted a nifty cory to the tank - I don't know what he is. Someone gave me a tank with a betta and him in it (a bowl actually). He has real high dorsal fins - reminds of a shark.

There are two leopard sailfin plecos in this tank as well. They have been in there since they were about 1" long and are now about 4.5" each.

I did take the filter part, clean it out (had some mung in it and sand), and did a big water change....it was like I did nothing. The fish all appear to be very healthy, and this weekend, many of them will get transplanted out of that tank and into bigger tanks.

I'm at a loss as to what to do....I think it is bothering me more than the fish, but the plecos are starting to look a bit stressed (not putting their dorsal fin up as much as they used to and not having the brilliant patterned bodies).

Do I dare ask the size of this tank? It will continue to be mucky and cloudy until you do something about the stocking ratio. The only remedy for this problem is to change the stocking ratios. It sounds as if more tanks are in your future. What is the largest size tank you currently own?
Amanda

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit...but this is a 10g tank that is having the issues.....I moved out the larger fish tonight - so all that is left is the blue tetras, the orange von rios, and one pleco.

I have a 55g, 38g, 25g, two 10g, two 3g, and 10 betta wee "tanks" (rectangle containers for them).

I have a 20g not yet set up - but I'm thinking that is going to be my project for the weekend......

Yup, I think Amanda hit it on the head - too many fish in too small a tank.

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Mats

I would go with that as well...except my 3g that only has 3 white cloud tetras in it - is starting to do the same thing.....