Cloudy saltwater tank: The ultimate guide to get rid of it

Cloudy Goldfish Tank: The Ultimate Guide To Get Rid Of It.

It can be a bit frustrating to see your goldfish tank
water become a complete mess.

We have all been there. We know how crazy that can be.
But well, tank water has gone beyond the profit-making vibes that we all bury
in our minds. There are of course a lot more to it, one of them is the
cloudiness of your fish tank.

You know what strange is about this cloudiness thing?

Most times, what you see with your naked eye is just a
mere change of your water from that fresh look to a milky white or probably
brown color.

It is actually not that simple. It can be a huge sign
that your goldfish tank lacks good hygiene. Maybe you are not adding the right
proportions of chemicals to your goldfish tank, or you are just being careless
even when you know what to do.

While you are at it, your fishes started to become a
victim of your cloudy goldfish tank. There are lots more you can do to save the
day. You may well figure it out here.

1. What Makes Your Goldfish Tank Cloudy?

You cannot possibly get rid of the cloudiness in a
goldfish tank without having an idea about its causes. This is because there
could be special causes. And each cause has a different treatment method.

It means you can't treat bacteria-oriented cloudiness
the same way you would treat algae-oriented cloudiness.

Let's get down to the point. Cloudiness can be caused
by a number of things.

When I say "a number of things", you should
know that there are whole lots of causes waiting for you right here.

Algae Bloom

Sometimes, the cloudiness of your goldfish tank may be
very severe. So when all of a sudden, the milky white color of bacterial bloom
turns green, then an algae bloom is sure at work.

Unlike bacterial bloom, algae bloom is easy to figure
out with your naked eye.

With a thick greenish hue in your goldfish tank, you
are sure to easily spot an algae bloom.

It is often perceived as the most frustrating form of
cloudy water. You don't want to invest your gaze on this ‘messy thick green
water'.

Causes

Still wondering how these algae bloom thing storms your
tank? Not to worry.

The reasons are simple.

First, it usually starts when you overstock
fishes in your tank or probably overfed them.

Second, it may be that there are overgrowing
numbers of nutrient in your tank water. The nutrients may be nitrate and
phosphate. It is sure to mess up the nice look of your goldfish tank water.

Still wondering how this phosphate and nitrate works.
Your goldfish tank will definitely be invaded by these two nutrients when there
are lots of decayed fish food and waste in your water. Third, it may
just be that your goldfish tank is exposed to excessive direct sunlight, or
your tank lights have been switched on for a long time. It could stir up algae
growth.

Finally, an algae bloom could occur if you fail
to perform the weekly water changes.

Bacterial Bloom

Maybe you don't know, one of the most common causes of
cloudiness in a goldfish tank is bacterial bloom.

Certainly, some less harmful bacteria in your tank are
the brain behind the constant maintenance of the nitrogen cycle. Of course,
this nitrogen cycle keeps your tank super clean. But well, there are also other
kinds of bacteria right there. These bacteria are quite harmful.

When a lot of these harmful bacteria invade your
goldfish tank, your water becomes cloudy. And in the next few days, your water
turns to a milky mess.

Sounds frustrating right? What's more?

Strangely, bacterial bloom doesn't just come. It seems
to be addicted to a specific phase of a tank.

What am I talking about? Bacterial bloom has a more
pronounced period when it invades your tank. It often shows up when your
goldfish tank is still new and the environment inside of your tank is still
prone to microorganisms of similar nature.

One more thing. If by any chance you figure it out in
an old tank, it may be due to seasonal changes, for instance, hot periods.

Dirty Tank

Somehow, dirty water may also have a cloudy look with a
slight yellow color in your tank.

High level of dissolved phosphates, silicates or
heavy metals

Once you have thoroughly washed your gravel and you
find out that the cloudy look is still looming over your goldfish tank, you
should test the pH of your tank water.

When the pH level of your water is high in dissolved
phosphate, silicates and metals, chances are that the cloudiness in your water
is caused by them.

Gravel Residue

Let me say this straight, inadequately washed gravel
can make your goldfish tank cloudy.

Are you wondering how? Once you filled your goldfish
tank with water and it becomes cloudy afterwards, chances are that you didn't
wash your gravel as much you as you should.

2. How Do You Get Rid Of A Cloudy Goldfish Tank?

In many cases, all you just need to do is watch the
cloudiness of your goldfish tank leave on its own.

In other cases, you may just have to exercise a little
patience and settle with simple routine maintenance.

But well, it can be frustrating when you simply can't
resolve the cloudiness of your goldfish tank even with these simple measures.

If you think the cloudiness of your goldfish tank may
prolong more than you ever bargain for or you want to speed up the solution,
this is why I have garnered some treatment methods that are bound to apply to
each cause for you.

Treatment Methods

Algae Bloom

If you are quite sure that algae overgrowth might be
the problem, here are a few treatment methods you should try.

Algae-eating fish

You may not know. Algae-eating fish are often a good
way to deal with algae bloom and the cloudy look of your tank.

How do you get to use it?

Try to buy some algae-eating fish or snails that can
feast on the algae on all corners of the tank. There you go. Your tank can
become clean again with this simple tip.

Algaecide chemicals

If you aren't really confident about the algae-eating
fish thing, try some algaecide chemicals.

Use a Nitrate or phosphate filter media

Unlike other remedies, adding a nitrate or phosphate
remover is more of a control measure than an instant solution.

Where am I going? After your tank water is completely
free from cloudiness, try a nitrate and phosphate filter media.

A good example is Fluval Clearmax.

So what is the essence of it? It will minimize the
likelihood of algae bloom in the long run.

Use Particulate clarifiers

Maybe you don't know, you can also add clarifiers such
as Nutrafin's clear fast to get rid of algae bloom.

Let me be honest with you, it may take a lot of
persistent usages to clean your water completely but it sure does work.

Add UV sterilizer

Will UV Sterilizer make your goldfish tank completely
sterilize? No. Recent studies have it that a good number of living
microorganisms grow each day in a fish tank. So a UV sterilizer will only
reduce the numbers of these harmful organisms including algae bloom in your
fish tank. It can't definitely sterilize the parasites that have already
invaded your fish tank.

Bacterial Bloom

Broad-spectrum antibiotic

If by any chance you think that the problem with your
tank is bacteria, try to use a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

You can add seachem kanaplex, minocycline, and the
likes or contact a veterinarian for appropriate antibiotic treatments.

Sure enough, they are active against negative bacteria
in your aquarium water. It is available in pet supply stores.

What's more? When you decide to add a broad-spectrum
antibiotic to resolve your cloudiness problem, you may need to exercise some
patience.

This is because effective results may take a few weeks
but whatever it is, it is definitely a good catch for cloudy water.

High level of dissolved phosphate, silicate and metal

Add water conditioners

You should treat your tank water with some water
conditioners in these cases.

Use reverse osmosis water

Dirty Tank

Change your tank water

Once you can figure out what the problem is with your
dirty tank, change your filter and do a 20-30% water change. While you change
your water, remove excess fish food and waste from your gravel.

What's more? How often do you need to perform this
water change?

The answer is quite simple.

This depends on the capacity of the tank, the number of
fish and whether or not you have a good filtration mechanism.

If your tank becomes dirty because of excess waste in
your tank, a 20 percent water change per day until it becomes clean will
perform the magic.

Add Water Clarifier

After you have performed a water change for your tank,
you can well add water
clarifier to speed up the clarity of your water.

Gravel Residue

Wash inadequately washed gravel

Imagine what it would be like to fill your tank with
some water and in a twinkle of an eye, the tank turns cloudy.

It can be extremely frustrating. But well, there is one
thing you can try. It may be that there is some inadequately washed gravel.

Still wondering how to break free from this? Simply
drain the tank and wash the gravel until the water becomes clear. There you go.

3. Tips On Keeping A Goldfish Tank Clear

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• Ensure that your filter is always clean.
• Do not expose your tank to sunlight. It spurs algae overgrowth.
• Do not overfeed your fish. Eliminate the remnants of any uneaten food after a few minutes.
• The consequences of overfeeding are fatal. Your tank will be exposed to a lot of algae.
• Ensure you perform a water change regularly.
• Do not use an overdose of any products you decide to use for your cloudiness problem.
• In addition to maintaining the clarity of your goldfish tank, you can well install an EcoBio-stone in your goldfish tank.

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Still wondering how this EcoBio-stone works? It is made
from a natural volcanic stone that is garnished with some less harmful bacteria.

When I say less harmful bacteria, this stone is sure to
regulate the nitrogen cycle of your tank and make it clean regularly.

You may never see the invasion of algae and bacterial
bloom in your tank with EcoBio-stone around you.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your goldfish tank as clear as possible after a
cloudy attack requires a bit of determination and consistency.

If you are to have a healthy goldfish, you should know
that the above tips should be incorporated into your lifestyle just as you take
your bath and eat every day.

You can't possibly break free from these things.
Somehow, they will come at you. This is because your tank water is naturally
prone to things of such nature.

If by any chance the cloudiness in your goldfish tank
persists after all these tips, you should perform water change frequently or
probably contact the nearest veterinarian shop. Then you are good to go on your
journey to a crystal clear goldfish tank.

Read the original article at :
Cloudy Goldfish Tank: The Ultimate Guide To Get Rid Of It.

5 Effective Ways to Increase The Hardness of Your Aquarium Water

Basic Killer Tips on Aquarium Water General Hardness

5 Killer Ways to Soften Aquarium Water

Softening your aquarium water requires you to remove some dissolved minerals  that hardens your water. 

How do you soften your aquarium water?

What are the most effective methods  for softening your aquarium water?

I know you are probably eager to see how you can soften your
aquarium water right now but most times, 
the softness of aquarium water does not come first.

When you keep water hardness in consistent check, it may
also follow that you are also trying to determine whether the softness of your
water is still intact.

What am I talking about? I will dive in water hardness
first, then you can figure out how you can soften your aquarium water in the
subsequent heading.

How do you
determine whether your water is hard or soft?

There are many ways you can simply determine whether your
water is hard or soft. 

So, if you are unsure as to how to figure it all out. I will
show you how.

Local water company

Of course, this method may look like more of a Plan B than
the real thing but honestly, it is effective.

You can simply figure out your water hardness or softness by
asking any local water company around you.

Certainly, they should be able to find out whether your
water supply is hard or soft.

Soapsuds test

If you are a Do-it-yourself kind of person, you can simply
figure out the hardness or softness of your aquarium water by using the
Do-it-yourself method.

Out of other methods, it is the simplest and easiest.

This is because you are doing it yourself. You aren't
leaving your comfort zone. You aren't using any testing instrument nor asking
anyone about the state of your water.

So, how does it works?

• Get an empty and
  transparent bottle.
• Fill one-third of it
  with water from your aquarium.
• Add a few amounts of
  liquid soap and shake intensely for a few minutes.
• Your water is hard when
  there aren't any bubbles and the water looks milky. This is not the case
  for soft water. Your water is soft when there are a lot of bubbles and the
  water is clean from the bottom of the bottle.

Test kits

Well, the soapsuds test may be effective but it is not
always as accurate as you think.

During those inaccurate moments, you just need to embrace
some advanced test methods.

You may not know. Test kits would perform  the kind of magic you desire for your
aquarium water.

What's more? If you are still unsure as to what testing  kits really are. I will show you:

Test kits are available 
in liquid form, powder and strips. 

Still wondering about how you can use them?

• After filling a
  transparent container with water from your aquarium, insert the test strip
  for a few minutes and then remove it.
• Observe the color change
  in the water.Test strips always come with some color charts.
• If the color  change in the water corresponds with the
  colors in the color chart , chances are that your aquarium water is hard.

You can also  follow
the same procedure for the liquid and powder form. So, there you go with your
testing kit journey.

Hard water
species?

Unless you are just the persistent one who only roots for
soft water species, there are some species of fish that can actually thrive in
hard water.

What am I talking about?

Actually, you may not have to soften your aquarium water in
some circumstances.

This is because chances are that your fish may be the kind
that can thrive perfectly in hard water.

Why? They may be the kinds that grew in hard alkalinity
environment.

Sounds good? 

So, you may have to ignore the soft water thing by simply
choosing the hard water fishes. They are:

• Paradise fish
• Swordtails
• Archers
• Monos
• Mollies
• Platies and the likes

How do you
soften your aquarium water?

If you still think that soft water is the real thing for
your fishes, then you can simply go for it.

Maybe soft water is just what your species of fish really
need, there are varieties of ways you can soften your water.

Do not be surprised. Softening your aquarium water with
these various methods may mean changing your water sources to an expensive
source. 

Rainwater

Sure enough, softening aquarium water may be a bit
expensive.

If you want to escape this expensive scene, you can just go
for rainwater to soften your aquarium water. It doesn't cost you anything. It is
the gift of nature.

All you need to do is to make sure all your rain catching
system are very clean.

If you are going to employ large containers, ensure that
there aren't nearby chemicals and dirt that is hazardous to the health of your
fishes.

Peat Moss

Peat Moss is a common aquarium water softener for fish
owners. But well, there is a number of ways you can employ to apply it. I will
show you how.

Aquarium filter method

This method is quite simple. You can simply add the peat in
your aquarium filter so that it can flow freely in the tank.

Container method

This is simple but gradual. Figure out a clean but large
container and soak the peat in it for two weeks.

Purchase only non - additive peat. Also, the peat is prone
to contaminants.

Simply boil the peat to ward off contaminants. Add an air stone
to keep the water flowing.

 Driftwood

Maybe or maybe not, driftwood may not be as effective as
other ways of softening aquarium water but notwithstanding it is still a fine
alternative.

Driftwood will produce tannins in your aquarium water and
most likely, your water will change into brown color. It wouldn't harm your
fishes any way.

Reverse osmosis

Aside from rainwater, reverse osmosis is another way of
escaping the expensive scene. This method will soften your aquarium water.

It is not only economical. It is endowed with varieties of
benefits which are by far more than the ones you would get from rainwater.

Want to figure out those benefits? Keep reading.

• Reverse osmosis will ward off minerals from the water
• It will remove contaminants
• It will remove metals too

Water softening pillows

Like every other means of softening aquarium water, water
softening pillows is quite simple too.

It is considered the best method for softening aquarium
water is smaller tanks. 

You know what is great about this tool? You can always
recharge and use it for as much time as you can.

What's more?

All you need to do is to install a water softening pillow in
your aquarium filter, let the water flow through it and you are good to go. It
is that simple.

Conclusion

Now you have figured out how to soften your aquarium water.

Of course, you don't have to be an aquarium expert for you
to digest the tips above.

Being able to scan through these tips is more than enough
and it is going to play a huge role in ensuring a hassle-free journey for your
fishes.

Let me say this straight, it is not only humans that deserve
a healthy life. While you deserve a better healthy lifestyle as a human, your fishes
deserve more.

So whichever way you are going to tend your fishes, ensure
you pay close attention to the hardness of your aquarium water.

Read the original article at :
5 Killer Ways to Soften Aquarium Water

The Best Ways to Use Natural Well Water for Your Fish Tank

More often than not, aquarium owners get caught up with the process of setting up the fish tank. Their first concern is usually the ideal mix of fish species, how to keep the fish tank warm and clean, and the logistics of decoration.

In the process of figuring all these out, it is crucial to consider the water source you intend using to fill up the fish tank.

If well water is the only option available to you, you don’t need to panic about how to use well water ideally. Read this guide to learn the best ways to utilize well water for your fish tank.

Source
and contents of well water

Well water comes from a source beneath the surface of the earth known as groundwater.

The groundwater flows naturally below the Earth surface and breaks through the surface through springs.

It lies deep within underlying soil and rock, and its contamination content is far less than that of surface water.

This is because the soil and rock layers between the groundwater and the surface has naturally filtered out the majority of contaminants. A pump or container is used in drawing out the well water.

If you are in a rural area, you can get your well water from the land you’re situated on.

However, you can get well water from deep wells drilled already into the local aquifer in cities.

Furthermore, you should also know that the mineral content of well water tends to be higher than that of surface water.

The water picks up the mineral content mostly as it is purified down to the aquifer. This should not be a cause for panic as the mineral content in well water is non-corrosive.

How
to prepare well water for your fish tank

After purchasing everything you need to set up your fish tank, it might be tempting to just fill it up with water and put your fish in.

But this is not the right way.

It is essential that you first prepare your water.

The steps to proper preparation include:

• Setting up the fish tank by rinsing it, including any rock or gravel before you add water.
• Oxygenate the water by filtering it through the pump.
• Treat the water because well water can contain chlorine and other chemicals that can be deadly to the fish
• Let the tank run for some time before adding fish. The ideal running time is one or two month(s).
• Once the water cycle has been established, you can begin adding the fish gradually. If you add all the fish at once, the formed balance can be upset, leading to the death of all the fish.

See also: How to Save Your Fish from New Tank Syndrome (Bonus 2 More Quick Cures)

Treatment
methods of well water for use in your fish tank

It is possible to direct the well water straight from a hose to your fish tank. However, it is important to critically check the water first.

If the water comes from the local aquifer, then it is possible that it has been treated with chemicals like fluoride and chlorine to make it healthy for human consumption.

But these chemicals might be toxic for your new fish; even a little chlorine level can prove deadly.

So, at the very first time, you need to

Removing the chlorine and other chemicals.

Some of the symptoms that the water is not suitable for the fish include fast breathing, changing of color around the gills and inability to breathe.

You can decide to make the well water safe for use naturally. That is, without the use of additional chemicals.

If this is your decision, then the next steps required are fairly simple.

First, you should realize that one of its most dangerous chemical components is chlorine.

Ensure that the well water sits for a period of 24 to 48 hours so the chlorine component can naturally evaporate.

As you wait for the natural evaporation of the chlorine, add an aerator to the well water to speed up the process. The aerator will also increase the chances of the complete dissolving of chlorine from the water.

However, you should also realize that if this process works for the chlorine, it might not work for chloramines.

One of the best tools to use in making your well water safe from heavy metals without using chemicals is through a Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifying system.

This purifier system can remove different types of contaminants from the water.

In fact, some of the RO models are designed with remineralizers that can correct other components such as the pH, as the RO system strips away so many unwanted elements while filtering the well water.

After removing the chlorine and other chemicals, what next?

The next step is conditioning, which involves making the well water ideal for the fish.

Conditioning

Some experts regard conditioning as a necessity, and incredibly, it also can be done naturally.

If you haven’t moved the well water to your fish tank, you can do that now.

To naturally condition your already-purified well water, you can use dolomite filters, crushed corals, or decorative limestone within the fish tank.

Using any of these or aquatic plants will increase the pH levels.

However, if it is the case that you want to reduce the pH level, then you can do this naturally by including decorative driftwood to the fish tank.

The kH can be naturally raised with baking soda while limestone or coral can increase the gH.

To read more about the pH, gH and kH, click here.

Effects
of well water on your fish

Just like everything in life, the use of well water for your fish as its upsides as well as its downsides.

• Pros: One of the positive effects of well water is that it is readily available for use.

• Cons: Its adverse effects include its unpredictable pH and mineral content.

However, you can solve this naturally by proceeding with the preparation and treatment methods listed in this guide.

Conclusion

Well water comes from a source beneath the ground known as groundwater.

From reading this guide, you should now know that using well water should not be a cause for panic.

You can use well water for your fish tank without negative effects if you follow the proper preparation and treatment methods.

Read the original article at :
The Best Ways to Use Natural Well Water for Your Fish Tank

How to Save Your Fish from New Tank Syndrome (Bonus 2 More Quick Cures)