best way to tackle bacteria bloom?

fishnut321 · 08/29/2009, 08:51 AM

hello ive had my aquarium up and running for about a month consisting of existing live rock and livestock from my old tank and a new sand bed. I have been dealing with a cloudy tank, from bacteria for the past four days and doesnt seem to be easing up. I run a forty breeder, over skimmed with 250 watt halide and a moderate stocking list. Any suggestions?

jlemoine2 · 08/29/2009, 08:55 AM

Have you tried water changes and fewer feedings?

fishnut321 · 08/29/2009, 08:57 AM

yeah ive reduced feedings to one small one a day and have already changed ten gallons the other day

WaterKeeper · 08/29/2009, 09:03 AM

Unless the fish are showing signs of respiratory distress from low dissolved oxygen level, then just wait. Most blooms subside as quickly as they start once whatever started the bloom is exhausted. You can use a canister filter with sub-micron filter element to quickly clear a bloom but it usually is not needed.

fishnut321 · 08/29/2009, 09:12 AM

alright, would it be a good idea to run some carbon during the bacterial bloom? Also what would cause this, ive had several systems in the past three years and never encountered it. My live rock had been sitting in a tub for about six months seperate from my live stock, could bacteria levels drop to such low levels that other bacteria strains could take over causing the cloudiness?

WaterKeeper · 08/29/2009, 09:21 AM

Sound like the long isolation period caused some starvation of critters on the rock and you have a mini cycle in the tank. That is of more concern as it can create an ammonia spike. Check levels and I'd do a few 20% water changes every other day for the next 10 days.

fishnut321 · 08/29/2009, 09:28 AM

Okay i will do that!

fishnut321 · 08/29/2009, 02:44 PM

alright time to stump Waterkeeper and others...

Just tested my water params are:

ph 8.1
alk. 2.5 meq/l
ammonia 0
nitirite 0
nitrate around 0

So im completely confused now what is going on with the cloudiness in my tank. Im not dosing two part yet, which is part of my low ph and alk, but i cant imagine the cloudiness is caused by calcium falling out.

I added some fresh carbon and going to start the 20% water changes water keeper advised today.

any thoughts?

cloak · 08/29/2009, 03:50 PM

Leave it alone. Something has disrupted the natural order of things. Other than doing your top offs, just stop fiddling with it and let nature take it's course.

walkthedog · 08/29/2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
Leave it alone. Something has disrupted the natural order of things. Other than doing your top offs, just stop fiddling with it and let nature take it's course.

1+ great advise.

08/29/2009, 08:51 AM	#1
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	best way to tackle bacteria bloom? hello ive had my aquarium up and running for about a month consisting of existing live rock and livestock from my old tank and a new sand bed. I have been dealing with a cloudy tank, from bacteria for the past four days and doesnt seem to be easing up. I run a forty breeder, over skimmed with 250 watt halide and a moderate stocking list. Any suggestions?

08/29/2009, 08:55 AM	#2
jlemoine2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 200	Have you tried water changes and fewer feedings? __________________ -James Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef w/ 40 gallon frag tank.

08/29/2009, 09:03 AM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Unless the fish are showing signs of respiratory distress from low dissolved oxygen level, then just wait. Most blooms subside as quickly as they start once whatever started the bloom is exhausted. You can use a canister filter with sub-micron filter element to quickly clear a bloom but it usually is not needed. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/29/2009, 09:21 AM	#6
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Sound like the long isolation period caused some starvation of critters on the rock and you have a mini cycle in the tank. That is of more concern as it can create an ammonia spike. Check levels and I'd do a few 20% water changes every other day for the next 10 days. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/29/2009, 08:57 AM	#3
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	yeah ive reduced feedings to one small one a day and have already changed ten gallons the other day

08/29/2009, 09:12 AM	#5
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	alright, would it be a good idea to run some carbon during the bacterial bloom? Also what would cause this, ive had several systems in the past three years and never encountered it. My live rock had been sitting in a tub for about six months seperate from my live stock, could bacteria levels drop to such low levels that other bacteria strains could take over causing the cloudiness?

08/29/2009, 09:28 AM	#7
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	Okay i will do that!

08/29/2009, 02:44 PM	#8
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	alright time to stump Waterkeeper and others... Just tested my water params are: ph 8.1 alk. 2.5 meq/l ammonia 0 nitirite 0 nitrate around 0 So im completely confused now what is going on with the cloudiness in my tank. Im not dosing two part yet, which is part of my low ph and alk, but i cant imagine the cloudiness is caused by calcium falling out. I added some fresh carbon and going to start the 20% water changes water keeper advised today. any thoughts?

08/29/2009, 03:50 PM	#9
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Leave it alone. Something has disrupted the natural order of things. Other than doing your top offs, just stop fiddling with it and let nature take it's course.