Fish owners who are not necessarily pros when it comes to caring for fish tanks usually ask, why is my aquarium water cloudy? Well, there is no single answer because there really is not one single cause. But, based on the circumstances that cloudy water exists, it can usually be narrowed down to a few basic causes.
Residue from your gravel: If you notice that your fish tank water appears cloudy within an hour or two of filling it then it’s most likely due to insufficiently cleaned gravel. To resolve this problem simply drain the tank and rinse the gravel until the water runs perfectly clear. Remember to never use soaps, this will get your fish sick.
Dissolved constituents and nutrients: If your water is still cloudy after attempting the above, it is probably because of its high levels of constituents. This can include anything from phosphates, silicates, or heavy duty metals. At this time, if you test the water you will notice that the pH levels are super high in alkaline. To resolve the problem in this case, you can treat your water with conditioners. You may also try switching to Reverse Osmosis water. It will be sold at your local pet store.
Blossomed bacteria: Sometimes it takes weeks or months for a fish tank to become cloudy. This is usually caused by bacterial bloom. The cool thing about this cause is that over time, the bacteria forms colonies and the problem eventually resolves itself. Uneaten fish food or decaying plants usually cause bacterial bloom and cloudy waters. All you have to do is remove these decaying objects and the bacteria will be cleared away naturally.
Keep your feeding times to a minimum and try not to overfeed your fish. If a vacuum doesn’t work you may invest in a flocculent to clear away all the debris from your fish tanks. These are marketed as water clarifiers and can be found at any local fish shop.
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