Tweet
+1 for bacterial bloom. This is normal and right on schedule. It is caused by having an explosion of bacteria multiplying in the tank. This is usually a good sign, indicating that the tank is cycling. It doesn't happen to all tanks, but is harmless when it does happen.
In order to determine if the tank is ready for fish, it's best to actually test the water parameters. What you want to look for is a tank that shows 0ppm for both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates (5ppm or more). This indicates that the tank is cycled with sufficient bacteria to handle the ammonia and nitrites which are so deadly to fish.
If the tank's water parameters look good, go ahead and begin to add fish to the tank. If you add too many at once, it's possible to add too much ammonia for the tank's bacteria to handle which then causes what is known as a mini-cycle. This generally means the ammonia and nitrites will temporarily rise until more bacteria is produced to handle the heavier load. By keeping track of the water parameters, you can perform water changes to maintain safe levels of ammonia and nitrites while the tank's bacteria multiply sufficiently.
The only concern I'd have with a bacteria bloom is to look for a source of high ammonia in the tank. There has to be enough ammonia to feed the bacteria to cause a bacterial bloom. Look for a dead fish or dying and rotting plant material. If tests indicate 0ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrites, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Generally, cloudy water due to a bacterial bloom is whitish in color and does not go away with water changes or filtration. It takes about a week to clear up, sometimes a little less, but generally not much more than a week. Testing the water is the best way to determine if it's healthy for new fish.
In order to determine if the tank is ready for fish, it's best to actually test the water parameters. What you want to look for is a tank that shows 0ppm for both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates (5ppm or more). This indicates that the tank is cycled with sufficient bacteria to handle the ammonia and nitrites which are so deadly to fish.
If the tank's water parameters look good, go ahead and begin to add fish to the tank. If you add too many at once, it's possible to add too much ammonia for the tank's bacteria to handle which then causes what is known as a mini-cycle. This generally means the ammonia and nitrites will temporarily rise until more bacteria is produced to handle the heavier load. By keeping track of the water parameters, you can perform water changes to maintain safe levels of ammonia and nitrites while the tank's bacteria multiply sufficiently.
The only concern I'd have with a bacteria bloom is to look for a source of high ammonia in the tank. There has to be enough ammonia to feed the bacteria to cause a bacterial bloom. Look for a dead fish or dying and rotting plant material. If tests indicate 0ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrites, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Generally, cloudy water due to a bacterial bloom is whitish in color and does not go away with water changes or filtration. It takes about a week to clear up, sometimes a little less, but generally not much more than a week. Testing the water is the best way to determine if it's healthy for new fish.
Comment