[Gamegurl]

Hey gang,
The last week or so I have noticed that my main thank isn't cloudy but seems almost hazy.
Like looking through very thin smoke.
The water parameters are all perfect, zero Ammonia and Nitrite, 15 Nitrate.
I've been getting a lot more of the spot green algae and scrubbed it off as best I could today and snipped off some more leafs.
I ordered a Phosphate test kit and will post results when it arrives.
How does one test the Co2 levels in a tank?
hope all are well

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Hi GG,
Ive got to get a phosphate test kit too.
I noticed a few small spots of algae starting to appear and all my water parameters are excellent.
Im an enthusiatic feeder : ) and im guessing its starting to lift the Phosphate levels.
Its funny you know...not a lot of people test for phosphates,me included, but as we know,higher levels can cause grief.
Please keep us updated GG,it would be interesting to know what your findings are...Cheers.
PS-Im not much help when it comes to Co2...ive never used it,sorry.
Take care.

 

[Gamegurl]

I don't use Co2 either, I just wondered if there was a way to test levels. Will keep you posted.

 

[susankat]

You can't test Co2 levels unless you have use of a drop checker which you order it and specific solution, that don't worry about unless you decide to add pressurized Co2.

 

[Gamegurl]

What about the haziness in my tank?

 

[susankat]

The haziness might turn into green water as you don't have enough live plants. Do a quick black out then large water change, add more plants.

 

[Gamegurl]

The haziness might turn into green water as you don't have enough live plants. Do a quick black out then large water change, add more plants.

I'm confused. The tank is full of plants. wysteria, pogstomen, three types of hygro, Anubias and some buce.
Black out like covering the tank? How long a black out? 1 day, two days.
Edited: My room is quite dark with double dark blue curtains. The only real light would be from the 20.
After a black out then a large water change?

 

[susankat]

2 days should do it. I was thinking this was new tank

 

[Gamegurl]

No, the new tank is doing great, it's my 29.
Water tests on the new tank daily, zero Ammonia and Nitrite, Nitrate around 10.
Thanks Susan!
Do we think just lights out for a couple days or do I need to drape something over it?

 

[susankat]

drape something over it. no light whatsoever

 

[Gamegurl]

I was just trying to think what was different and I got it. It started about 4 or 5 days ago. That coincides with when I put my neighbors snails in there. Arggg. They were moved next door to Dave's tank for other reasons but that is the only difference I know. One other thing of note, I found one single snail egg on the glass. It was whitish and kind of clear. I scoured the tank but only saw the one.

 

[susankat]

If there was one, there is probably more. On plants and deco, You didn't add any of the water from neighbors tank I hope.

 

[Gamegurl]

If there was one, there is probably more. On plants and deco, You didn't add any of the water from neighbors tank I hope.

Absolutely not. I'll check more. It was only in there for 24 hours. Might have been a Cory egg.

 

[susankat]

Cory eggs are not clear. they will be white if not fertilized and will turn a light brown if they are.

 

[Gamegurl]

It was white the edges were translucent.
I just looked up the difference, pretty sure it was Catfish egg. Will keep an eye out for more.

 

[Gamegurl]

My Phosphate test kit arrived. Water is testing at 2.0 ppm. I find differing opinions online about the level I should have.
Some say it should be zero, and some say keep it below 2.
Opinions please. I got some Phoscleaner for my filter, I'm thinking I should put it in there?
It is Fluval Clear Max

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Thanks for the info GG,appreciate it.
I think that going for a zero reading would be the best way to go...i believe it would nip the emerging algae problem in the bud and help to clear your water (along with water changes of course).
Putting the Phoscleaner in your filter should acheive a zero reading...quite quickly too.
Im about to do the same thing with a Fluval Phosphate removing filter pad i have but never used.
Take care

 

[Gamegurl]

Thanks for the info GG,appreciate it.
I think that going for a zero reading would be the best way to go...i believe it would nip the emerging algae problem in the bud and help to clear your water (along with water changes of course).
Putting the Phoscleaner in your filter should acheive a zero reading...quite quickly too.
Im about to do the same thing with a Fluval Phosphate removing filter pad i have but never used.
Take care

Thanks for the input, I tend to agree with you about the level of Phosphate. If not zero at least closer to one.
I tested the tap water and came up with zero phosphate, same with Nitrate and Ammonia.
I'll keep you posted. My 48 hour black out ends tomorrow.
It's truly sad looking at my tank with the drape over it.

Edited: It's a fine line here like I don't want all algae gone, keep my Nerites happy and healthy.
best Elmer Fudd voice..cwazy man, cwazy 😝

 

[Gamegurl]

Update regarding hazy tank. I am attaching a photo of what came out of my filter and that's only a little of the gunk.
I'm shocked at the amount of debris and sediment and am pretty sure that's why it's been hazy.
It makes sense as I did a pretty thorough gardening thing a couple weeks ago, should have checked the filter before. faceplam
I rinsed my regular filter cartridge (FILTHY!) and popped the PhosCleaner in there for now.
It seemed a bit empty in there so I crammed the regular filter cartridge in behind the bag of resin balls?
What I want to know is if maybe it's to much filter material in there? There's decent flow.
Ideally I'd want like a spongy filtery thing to put in there.
I'm planning on getting my Tidal filter next month so help about packing filters would be appreciated.
Cheers, hope all are well

 

[Gamegurl]

I adjusted things in the filter with the Main cartridge in and in front there is a little plastic device you can put a sponge into, useless I was told by the Pet Store and I agreed, but...
I cut down the bag of PhosCleaner, sewed it shut with my little fingers and placed it there so the return flow goes over that material.
Hopefully this haze will clear, it's odd, it's really not cloudy but I usually can re-use the water from my filter after straining it through my fine mesh net, today even after a bunch of straining there was that fine sediment shown on a paper towel in the pic.
any ideas, thoughts?