An aquarium can be said to be healthy if the water in it is clear. Fish need clean and healthy water to survive. Uneaten food, fish waste, and plant debris can raise the pH level of the tank water making it unsafe for fish. There are several ways to keep your aquarium water clean
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Aquarium
Step 1. Just let the water cloudy
Often, cloudy aquarium water will clear up on its own as the water environment adjusts. Usually, cloudy water is the result of a mixture of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, protozoa, and micrometazoa. These organisms come from fish, food, and feces. Usually, the tank will balance and purify the aquarium water within a week.
Be patient. Before adding chemicals or doing anything drastic to deal with cloudy water, don't forget that your aquarium is inhabited by living things. Find out why the water is cloudy before using any chemicals in the aquarium. Chemicals and cleaners can damage the tank environment and hurt the fish in it
Step 2. Add good bacteria to the aquarium
Good bacteria will help the natural processes in the aquarium tank. You can buy ready-made bacteria from the store or buy gravel that already has these bacteria in it. You can also add gravel, rocks, driftwood, or filter pads from the old tank to your tank. Maybe, there are still good bacteria in these objects.
Bacterial culture will help eradicate ammonia and nitrates that are toxic to fish. These bacteria convert both substances into harmless nitrates and are removed when changing the aquarium water. The best types of bacteria for your aquarium are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter
Step 3. Place suitable live plants in the tank
You can also keep the aquarium clean by placing live plants in the aquarium. Live plants have good bacteria, and will also filter the water in the aquarium. You can buy these live plants at pet stores.
Step 4. Check the suitability of the filter used
Aquarium filters have various types, according to their function on the fish in the aquarium. Cloudy water can be caused by an improper filter. The filter you choose depends on the density of the fish, the type of aquarium, and the use of live or artificial plants.
There are three types of filters to choose from. Mechanical filters retain particles by forcing water through the material that traps the particles. Biological filters use bacteria to convert toxic substances into safer substances. Chemical filters use chemicals to remove toxins or chemicals from the water
Step 5. Fill your tank wisely
Try not to put too many fish in the tank. This can cause health problems and the aquarium becomes difficult to clean. Preferably, the number of fish kept does not exceed 2.5 cm of fish per 4 liters (1 gallon) of water.
Method 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Aquarium
Step 1. Change the aquarium water
As a rule, change 20% of the aquarium water every week. If you're using tap water, let it sit for two days to allow it to cool to room temperature and the chlorine in it to evaporate. Thus, the fish are not surprised when water is added to the tank.
You can also purchase a device that plugs into a faucet to suck up the gravel while draining and changing the water. That way, you don't have to wait a few days. Just make sure the water temperature is close to the aquarium temperature and that you have used a chlorine remover
Step 2. Keep the filter clean
You must keep the aquarium filter in optimal condition. Filters help maintain the health and fertility of the aquarium. So, if it is not replaced or neglected, the tank water will turn cloudy or the fish in it can die. Read the filter user guide to find out how to care for it.
- All filters need to be checked monthly and replaced if necessary. Check the filter weekly for blockages or deposits. Clean or replace the filter as needed.
- Read the pump user manual to make sure it is installed and working properly. The pump is essential for aerating the aquarium with oxygen. If the pump doesn't work properly, the fish will suffer, especially if the cloudy water comes from feces.
Step 3. Clean the aquarium
Another way to keep the aquarium water clear is to clean the aquarium regularly. Set your aquarium cleaning schedule, at least once a month. This schedule does not include aquarium water changes that must be done at least once a week.
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Cloudy Aquarium Water
Step 1. Look for bacterial growth
Bacteria can grow after you make changes to the tank, such as changing most of the water in the tank, a thorough cleaning, or treating the fish. Be patient if your activities cause the aquarium water to cloud up. The bacteria will balance themselves in a few days and the aquarium water will clear up on its own.
Step 2. Check the filters
If the aquarium filter is not working properly, the water in the tank may become cloudy. In the filtration system there are bacteria that consume residual substances, such as ammonia, and keep the tank water clean. If the filter stops working, bacteria can multiply and make the water cloudy.
Step 3. Make adjustments for the additional fish
If you recently added a new fish to your tank, make sure the tank can accommodate the additional fish. For example, if you add large fish to a tank that has small fish, the aquarium's filtration system may be overburdened. Install a different filtration system, or reduce the number of fish in the aquarium tank.
Step 4. Don't overfeed
The water can become cloudy if you feed too much. Fish do not need to be fed much. You just need to give a small amount of food once a day, and set aside a time for fasting one or two days a week
Step 5. Recheck your decor
Sometimes, cloudy water can be caused by aquarium decorations. Make sure you wash all decorations thoroughly before adding them to the aquarium. Check all the decorations in the tank to make sure they are designed to be in an aquarium and purchased at a good pet store.
Check for decorations that are melted or deformed, softened or loose, or have peeling paint or discoloration of the decorations in the aquarium
Step 6. Control algae
Green algae like to stick to the sides of the tank and decorative items in the aquarium. Remove algae from the aquarium when changing the water. Use a soft plastic squeegee to rub the walls of the aquarium, then rinse with water before wiping the walls again. Take all the ornaments and scrub them under clean tap water.
- Make sure the tank doesn't get a lot of light as this can trigger algae growth. Do not place the aquarium near a window and the lights should only be turned on for 10-12 hours a day.
- Don't overfeed the fish as this will help the algae grow.
Tips
- Usually cloudy water will clear by itself. Be patient.
- Don't put too much stuff in your aquarium so it's not difficult to keep clean.
- Make sure you set up after the aquarium filter and pump according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
- You may clean the aquarium thoroughly, including cleaning the tank, gravel, filters, decorations, draining all the water in the tank, if necessary. However, it is best to use this method only if all other methods do not work.
- Decomposing organic matter often leads to bacterial growth and makes the aquarium water cloudy. Make sure there are no dead plants or fish in your tank.
