Bacterial Bloooooom

bwalders65

bwalders65

New member
Im sure you guys noticed the couple extra O's i threw and there and it was for good reason. I have had a bacterial bloom in my frag tank for 2+ weeks that looks like I put a couple gallons of milk in a 35g Frag tank.

ANYWAYS this all started when I came home and saw there was a murkyness to my tank. So i thought hmmm. Ill just ad some NO3 PO4 X to it. Boy was the the worst decision yet. Since then it has been that couple gallons of milk in a 35g tank look.

Does anyone have any ideas how i can get this cleared up?

I have kicked around the idea of getting a submersible UV sterilizer. But am unsure if thatS a good route. Let me know guys!
 
The bacteria you see in the water column is heterotrophic bacteria which is breaking down organics which will then be processed by autotrophic bacteria (nitrifying bacteria) which will break down dissolved organics leading to an increase in nitrates.

Did something die? Snail, fish, etc. Spilled fish food? Carbon overdose?

I would do a thorough tank cleaning/inspection and consecutive daily water changes. Skim wet and a quality UV will sterilize their ability to keep producing.

Edit: I'm not sure if the NOPOX had anything to do with it as it sounds like the bacteria was starting to multiply and the NOPOX was just coincidental. But it very well could have been.
 
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I think the NOPOX might have made it worse? Possibly a carbon overdose. That's the thing I only have snails in the tank as of now. The tank is about 2 months old also. I think spot feeding the zoas with the supernate of the mysis is what started the murky water, but was no where near as bad as it is now.
 
Water changes. I would do 25% per day for 3 days and see how it looks. For larger water changes I like to do it when my tanks pH is at it's highest so it's not such a instant shock, because your new water will likely have a much higher ph. Not sure if it makes a difference, but that's what I do.

Also, skim wet and change out any mechanical filtration more often. Change out your GAC if you run it. Like I said, a UV will sterilize the bacteria and prevent it from continuing to reproduce.
 
My first thought is you had an anemone get sucked through a power head or something. No dead snails anywhere? I know those things get really nasty when they decompose, I had a big Mexican snail die and YUCK did it smell. Totally agree with cuzza though, big water changes.
 
Reefpilot11 said:
I had a big Mexican snail die and YUCK did it smell. Totally agree with cuzza though, big water changes.
Click to expand...

+1 on snails and the smell, I had one that made me gag so bad, I almost lost my lunch.

Something is feeding the bacteria, so I would also use water changes to help clear it up a bit and see if you can locate the source (likely decaying critter) and remove it.

You may want to add an airstone for the time being to help with oxygenation as bacteria may out-compete your fish for it.
 
The satisfying thing is the only thing in the tank right now is 4 snails and some liverock. There was about 15 frags and a tang but they were moved to another tank for the time being. Also with a snail dying. I've only ever had 4 snails in the tank and all of them can be located and are alive. This whole ordeal really puzzles me -_-
 
This may be far fetched but, do you have corals in there or anything that could have spawned? That would account for the milky look but also it would go away with water changes. Have you done water changes yet?
 
I did a 30% water change but that didn't seem to help. Also all corals are out of the tank. Not to mention the only coral I had in the tank where zoas/pallys. It is somewhat crazy
 
bwalders65 said:
I did a 30% water change but that didn't seem to help. Also all corals are out of the tank. Not to mention the only coral I had in the tank where zoas/pallys. It is somewhat crazy
Click to expand...

If there's nothing in the tank then just do a 100% water change. Test for a few days to a week to make sure everything is stable and put the corals back in.

Maybe something else is going on and your precipitating. Have you tested?
 
Just a thought. Have you done a quick ammonia check? Might have had it go back into cycle .... just a thought on something to rule out.
 
CuzzA said:
If there's nothing in the tank then just do a 100% water change. Test for a few days to a week to make sure everything is stable and put the corals back in.

Maybe something else is going on and your precipitating. Have you tested?
Click to expand...

janes_mw said:
Just a thought. Have you done a quick ammonia check? Might have had it go back into cycle .... just a thought on something to rule out.
Click to expand...

Both are a possibility.
 
I have check ammonia every other day and it has never gave an above zero reading. It was tested with Api but still nothing showed up. There is a skimmer on this tank in the sump but is definitely not micro bubbles. I'll post some pictures momentarily. Also what sort precipitation might be occurring?
 
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