Post green algae bloom...now very cloudy

[Jenyphur]

Hi all, tank is still very new....approx 2 months. I had the brown diatom bloom, then introduced a cuc and they did a great job at tackling it. About a week ago I started getting a very fine, bright green algae on the glass and rocks. From the research I did I figured it was just part of being a 'new tank' and would go away eventually. I diligently kept the glass clean and although the green algae is still on the rocks it did stop appearing on the glass. That was about 3 days ago...and ever since then I have very cloudy water. Is this a bacteria bloom?

I am changing out the filter floss every few days because it is looking 'icky'. I ordered a new Chemi pure elite and will be here today and plan to change that out also since it has been about 4-5 weeks since adding it.

Any other things I can try? Is this all normal? Any advice and comments would be very helpful..thanks so much.

Also, I checked my parameters this morning:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate : 10 (can never seem to get below 10)
Temp: 78

 

[TOOMANYFISH]

What's your calcium and alk at?
Blooms happen for a ton of reasons, anything getting sprayed in the tank vicinity? Air freshener or cleaning spray?


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[Jenyphur]

No nothing new. My calcium is low at 380...just got my dosing tests and chemicals yesterday. Alk is also low at 7

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[TOOMANYFISH]

Definitely get those up and test everyday or couple of days and figure your consumption per day and dose that everyday to get stable chemistry. The alk will definitely help clear the water


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[Jenyphur]

Its all very scary lol. Is it normal for the alkaline to get clumpy when adding it to the water?

 

[TOOMANYFISH]

You need to dose all very slowly and in a high flow area so it doesn't solidify the calcium in the water column. Also be careful on how much you dose so not to make a big ph swing. If it needs let's say 20 ml don't add that much in one day , try to span it out over a few days


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[Jenyphur]

Ok. Thanks. Will add slowly.

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[ajoe]

Assuming your cycling this tank just turn off your aquarium lights and leave them off until the tank has cycled. No need to run lights during the cycling phase if indeed you are. Plenty of ambiant light in the room as is. Your lights are only fueling the problem and unnecessary at this time.