Cloudy Water...bacteria Bloom?

Robb

New Member
Apr 1, 2019
13
5
3
54
Staunton, Illinois
Hey all, I wasn't sure where to post this so I apologize if this is in the wrong place...
I have an interesting situation. My tank water becomes cloudy during the daytime and then clears up at night. I am wondering if this could be bacteria in the water column increasing in number during the day? Water is not green, so I don't think it's algae. Tank's been running almost 6 weeks so the tank and filter should be cycled. Or could this be some sort of a chemical reaction going on induced by light? Water cloudiness starts even before tank light comes on. Weird. Water parameters are 5.5 dKH and 7 dGH. pH right at or just above 7. Thanks for any insight folks can provide.
 

Robb

New Member
Apr 1, 2019
13
5
3
54
Staunton, Illinois
Well, I looked at a water sample under the microscope. It’s a diatom bloom. I know this will eventually go away. Other suggestions to eliminate? Better mechanical filtration? Blackout tank? I need to see if they’re present in my well water. I am concerned I would just be reinoculating tank with each water change.
 

Robb

New Member
Apr 1, 2019
13
5
3
54
Staunton, Illinois
Well, the cloudy water is back. Came on gradually this week. Noticed it just before a water change. Water change didn’t seem to help. Can higher amounts of decaying organic matter cause a bacterial bloom in the water column?

Curious what you guys think...