Of course, every aquarium owner wants crystal-clear water in which the fish and plants feel comfortable. Cloudy aquariums appear unkempt and unattractive. Unfortunately, many fish keepers know this Problem with milky water.
Cloudy water is usually not just an optical problem. At bad water values the animals get sick. That’s why you should act quickly when the water is milky.
Milky aquarium with dragon stones
Cleaning and care
Milky water is a well-known problem among aquarists. The cloudy visibility does not bring joy to either the owner or the fish. For this reason, every aquarist should deal with the subject in detail.
There are many different reason, why the water becomes milky. Dirt particles are often to blame for the water appearing cloudy. If the water is not changed regularly, a lot of dirt accumulates in the pool despite the filter. plant and fodder residues should be removed daily.
Above all, excess feed that rots on the ground can lead to a bacterial explosion. The bacteria then cause the water to become very cloudy. Algae can also be a problem. A distinction is made between different water turbidities.
Reasons for milky water in the aquarium
Milky water due to suspended particles
The most common cause of cloudy water is suspended particles floating around. These occur more often if you stir up the substrate or change the water in the tank too infrequently. It is also worth checking that the pumps are working properly.
Too many airborne particles can also occur wrong or dirty filter material be due. If the pump is not working well, the water will be insufficiently filtered. The use of a new and fine fleece can be very helpful.
After a generous water change and the use of a new filter material, the suspended particles should have disappeared in a few days. You can also buy liquid filter media in pet shops.
They are harmless to the fish and can clarify the water. The liquid medium clings to the suspended particles. Due to their weight, they then sink to the ground and can be easily vacuumed off.
This liquid filter medium are not a permanent solution, but only an emergency aid. But no aquarium owner can avoid cleaning. Regular water changes play a major role in proper care.
If suspended particles were really the problem, the water should clear up after 5 to 6 hours. So cash is a good test to see exactly where the problem is.
If the water quickly becomes cloudy, you should change the water every 7 days. This is especially important when there are a lot of fish in the tank. A lot of fish automatically means a lot of dirt.
It also helps to reduce the amount of food in the short term. In stable tanks it is sufficient to exchange a large part of the water every 10 to 14 days.
Milky water from bacterial bloom
When the water is striking white then it is often a so-called bacterial bloom. This bacterial bloom is mainly found in tanks that have not yet started. During the break-in phase, all tanks are cloudy for many days.
After the running-in phase, the 4 to 6 weeks takes a while, but the water should be clear by then. This bacterial bloom can also occur after a filter cleaning. The filter material contains many valuable and vital bacteria that ensure a balance in the tank.
If too many good bacteria are removed when changing the filter, this can lead to an undersupply of vital bacteria, as in the running-in phase. Despite this, the bacterial bloom is not too dangerous for the fish.
However, it becomes problematic when the bacteria consume too much oxygen. It is therefore important that the water is supplied with plenty of oxygen. The circulation of the water surface as well as an air pump are very important.
Various models of air pumps for the aquarium are commercially available. A good aquarium air pump bubbles clearly visible. This allows oxygen to get into the water.
Plants also produce oxygen. Therefore, you can also buy more plants. Even with white water you should have one immediately big water change perform and then do not feed the fish for 2 days.
It is also possible that it is necessary that amount of food long term to to reduce. Bacteria often live on leftover food and dead plant parts. You should also check the tank for dead fish.
A dead fish that is not discovered and remains in the water for a longer period of time can also lead to a bacterial bloom. It is even worse when several fish suddenly die unexpectedly. Then the water is cloudy within a few hours.
Milky water from algae
Algae can also be a problem if left unchecked. If the water greenish works, algae are often to blame. These green algae float in the water and make for a cloudy look.
The phenomenon also occurs frequently in standing water in the wild. The algae multiply profusely when in the water many nutrients available. These can come from dead plants or dead fish.
Also one Overdose of plant fertilizer can be the cause. Plants should only be fertilized very rarely. The location of the pool is also important. Direct sunlight strongly stimulates algae growth.
Algae problems can therefore arise, especially in summer. Some fish species are excellent algae killers. The Siamese Algae Eater is a very good algae eater.
Direct measure against an algal bloom Fast-growing plants such as waterweed or hornwort. Alternatively, a UV clarifier can fix the problem.
Milky water due to wrong filter
If the filter to weak is, this also leads to an impairment of the water quality. Only a good filter with a sufficient flow rate ensures crystal clear water in the long term. The wrong filter material can also worsen the water quality.
A large external filter with a strong performance is extremely important for the cleanliness of the water. The regular cleaning of the filter is also relevant. As a rule, you should check the filter every 4 weeks and clean the coarse sponges.
It is important not to overdo the cleaning. Many important and good bacteria live in the filter materials. Cleaning the filter too thoroughly can therefore lead to problems.
Milky water from humic acid
When the water is striking brown or yellow acts, humic acid can be the cause. The humic acid causes strong and unsightly discolouration. Most often this problem occurs when a new root enters the tank.
Above all mangrove rootsthat have not been adequately watered are problematic. Alder cones and leaves also produce a lot of humic acid. Blackwater aquarium owners even intentionally keep humic acid levels high.
Some species of fish specialize in black water and only feel comfortable in it. As a rule, however, humic acid is undesirable in the aquarium. To get rid of cloudiness, one should remove the mangrove root or foliage from the tank.
Conclusion
There are 5 main reasons for milky water. Depending on the coloration, the cause can be determined relatively precisely. Most often, milky water is caused by suspended particles, a bacterial bloom, algae, a weak filter or humic acid. All causes can be eliminated by changing the water.