General Care Discussion :: Tank Cycling Question

[wcrimi]

I have a 70 gallon tank. I clean about 20% of the water every other week. I do a full filter change on my main filter about once every 6 months with some minor filter cleaning at times in between. I also have a small filter running. I clean that fully about once a month. I never had a cycling issue in the last 6-7 years using that method.

About 6 weeks ago I did a full filter change but kept the small one going. All was fine for about 4 weeks. Then I suddenly started seeing the type of foggy water I've seen in the past when a tank is cycling. It doesn't seem to want to improve even after 2 weeks.

1. About how long does the foggy water last in a normal cycling period?

2. Should I do some partial water changes or will that just slow the process?

3. I am adding some water treatment to deal with potential ammonia issues. Is that OK?

4. Why would the cycle take 4 weeks to blow up like that after the full filter change (shouldn't it happen almost immediately) and why would it happen this time and never before?

5. Could something else be going on?

Thanks

[Into_the_Mystic]

Did you do a water test?

[Kansasslider]

You interrupted a cycled tank and need to start over
. If you don't have fish people on here say its ok. I'm not so sure but you don't have much of a choice if I got all your info correct? No water treatment! You need to buy a test kit!

[wcrimi]

Why is this the first time it happened though?

I've been doing the same thing for years with no issues. I just tested the ammonia level and it was fine.

"No water treatment! "

I use a standard water conditioner to remove chlorine etc... when I do water changes. That would also remove excess ammonia etc...

[Kansasslider]

We don't use chlorine remover because it can harm your turtlle.Just let your tank go through its cycle. The water should clear up. Do you have carbon in your filters?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33171

[wcrimi]

Yes. I have carbon in the main filter. It's a large Rena Filstar and has always done a great job.

[ljapa]

If it's an issue of a mini-cycle, the water should clear in a few days. If it's still there and you aren't seeing ammonia or nitrite, then something else may be going on.

I've never seen the cloudiness as part of a cycle. I've also never seen algae in the water column, though I've seen and fought many forms of algae.

What tint does the cloudiness give to the water? From what I understand, a cycle cloudiness is more white, whereas algae is more green.

[Kansasslider]

I agree l. I think it will just clear up. I have had tanks get cloudy but just for s few days at most.

[wcrimi]

It's a white cloudiness, but it's going on 2 weeks now.

I've had issues like this in other tanks that lasted quite awhile, but those were cycling from scratch. This one already had 70 gallons of cycled water and a smaller filter that should have helped.

[steve]

Is there any smell?

[wcrimi]

No smell. It's pretty cloudy in there, but I'm reluctant to do a partial water change because I might just slow down the process.

[steve]

Was the carbon replaced during the last cleaning and was the cloudiness there from the beginning?

[wcrimi]

"Was the carbon replaced during the last cleaning and was the cloudiness there from the beginning?"

The carbon was replaced. The cloudiness started a couple of weeks AFTER the full filter cleaning. My memory is vague but it may have begun after the first partial water change following the filer clean.

By the way, it's still no better.

Should I do a small partial water change?

[Kansasslider]

Do you have a water test kit? If not I suggest you get one and test your water to try and get a better grip on what's going on. I still think its just cycling. When you say a complete filter cleaning, how are you cleaning everything? You might find this article help full.
http://www.oscarfishlover.com/how-to-cy ... r-aquarium

[wcrimi]

I've been testing for ammonia and it's been fine.

Usually when I do a cleaning I just pour out excess accumulated waste and change the carbon. But once things accumulate past a certain point, I do a thorough cleaning. I don't often do a complete filter change like that, but when I do that means rinsing and cleaning the entire physical filter and all media. That's what I did this time.