Habitat - Indoor :: Cloudy water

[jordanwalker1531]

I have a 40 gallon tank with about 25 gallons in it. I have two RES (temporary) in it and it has a filter rated for 55 gallons. does the water just get somewhat cloudy?

[BullDog]

What colour is the cloudiness? When is the last time you did a full water change, or a filter cleaning?

As a tank is cycling, it'll go whitish-cloudy when the ammonia levels creep up, before the bacteria develops.

[jordanwalker1531]

I just got it yesterday so...last night

[Cryptic]

wait for 2-4 days, you'll see the water will brighten, like BullDog said it needs time before the bacteria develops

[BullDog]

Ok, so then it's probably just ammonia spiking. Do you have a ammonia test kit? You can do 25% water changes every few days (or more often, if needed) to keep the ammonia down, but don't change too much water at a time, or the bacteria won't develop.

[jordanwalker1531]

do ihave to do this forever? how can i control the ammonia?

[BullDog]

Once the bacteria is established, ammonia will go down to zero (or pretty close). It can take a week to a month for the bacteria to establish, but once it does you'll notice the water start to clear up. Then the only thing you have to monitor is nitrate.

[jordanwalker1531]

So do I need to do anything before this? I am moving back to college in a week so the water will be drained anyway.

[BullDog]

Well, you should do a couple of partial water changes since too much ammonia can be harmful to your turtles, but when you drain it and set it up again you'll be starting from scratch again.

[jordanwalker1531]

will I always have problems with cloudy water? will getting another filter help out? or do i just need to let the bacteria build up in the filter

[BullDog]

You just need to let the bacteria build up. Assuming your filter is at least 3x the gph as your tank, the water should eventually clear up.

[Azfar]

I did a full change of water and clean the filter as well 4 days ago (tuesday), the water become whity cloudy after that.. but today (saturday).. the water become crystal clear. Huh fiuhh.. I was like.. ehh.. I'm about to change the water again and ask everybody in the house.. who change the water?.. and no one did it, my dad mum and sis never touch the water.. hihi..

I think it took few days for the water and bacteria to settledown..