Grey White

GREEN WATER:

Green water is free floating algae.

The main causes are:

*High waste particulate matter in the water column, which over crowding, over feeding and also important here is improper feeding (poor quality food that is mostly passed thru the fish, usually non aquatic amino acids an too much cereal are the culprits here)

*Intense lighting, but rarely is the problem, this usually just "feeds" the problem.

*Poor water parameters; Nitrates and phosphates to high, kH to low (best above 80 ppm), Redox should be -300 mV (don't rush out and buy a test kit for Redox, there are simple ways to check it). This usually goes with the high waste particulate problem and can effect kH and more importantly Aquarium Redox (which measures the water oxidation and reduction potential.

Corrective measures:

*20% water change using a gravel vacuum

*Electrolytes and minor elements such as magnesium and calcium Wonder Shells are useful here so is aragonite in the filter)

*Add a UV Sterilizer (100% effective but not always cost effective for small aquariums, but is is worth mentioning, not just for sterilization, but for Redox)

*Reduce your fish numbers

*Cut back on feeding and improve food quality (No TetraMin). Better choices: Ocean Nutrition, HBH, Spirulina 20 just to name a few. For more about proper feeding, please read this article: "Quality Fish Food; What ingredients are needed for proper fish nutrition, growth and health"

*Increase circulation and dissolved oxygen.

*Make sure your Nitrates are below 40 ppm, your kH is at least 80 ppm (depending on fish kept), your phosphates as close to 0 as possible.

CLOUDY WATER (white or grey cloud):

A white or grey cloud is a bacterial bloom.

The main causes are:

* A poorly cycled aquarium

* Overfeeding

* Poor Filtration

* Over crowding

* Poor water parameters

Corrective measures:

*Change 20% of your water every other day until improved

*Read my article about cycling and take corrective measures such as adding filter media and/or substrate from a healthy established aquarium

*Cut back on feeding and improve the quality of food and feeding method, refer to my article: "Quality Fish Food; What ingredients are needed for proper fish nutrition, growth and health"

*Add additional filters or improve your filters such as by adding a Filter Max Pre Filter to your HOB or Canister filter.

Also follow proper aquarium filter cleaning procedures by only changing part of your media and rinsing the rest in non chlorinated water.

*Remove Fish

*Add a UV Sterilizer (100% effective but not always cost effective for small aquariums, but is is worth mentioning, not just for sterilization, but for Redox Potential)

*Make sure your ammonia and nitrites are 0, your kH is at least 80 ppm (depending on fish kept) and your Nitrates are below 40 ppm.