Can't get rid of cloudy water in planted tank.

[Sea-agg09]

+1 on nacra's statement. Big RO water changes will help reduce nutrients in the water. Reduce the waterflow through the tank so things will start to settle and you aren't stirring up debris from the substrate.

[megdaig]

So I cheated a little bit this afternoon and 'peaked'...my reason is I wanted to see what lights were in the ballast...boy was I surprised. 9 PM tonight will officially be 48 hours of complete blackout...here's what the tank currently looks like...definitely SOME progress as things don't look as fuzzy....but will continue the total blackout until Thursday when I plan to do a filter rinse and large water change.



Part of the issue.......LIGHTS...there was 1 Life-Glo (6700K) and 3 Power-Glo (10,000K) bulbs...yikes. I am not certain but I believe there were two 420/460 bulbs in operation when I first started the tank and for some reason I changed them out after a few weeks to the 10,000K...not sure why I did this but I think it's because I noticed some plants melting. I've taken out all of the 10,000K and now I have 3 6700K and one 420/460 actinic phosphor though I will likely end up operating two 6700K and two 3000K.

Thursday I plan on taking the activated carbon out of the filter and giving all the media a rinse with old aquarium water. I'm also thinking of doing a very large water change...nearly 40% to 60%...since there is only one fish (the lone oto that made it through) I don't believe this should be an issue.

[megdaig]

Progress...56 hours of blackout...first picture is as found....second picture is after I did a ~27 gallon water change...finally I can actually see a difference after a good water change. Tomorrow I'm throwing in some fast growing stem plants...maybe some cabomba or hornwort...maybe water sprite.

[tbui1178]

Not what I expected after the blackout. Good luck and keep us posted.

[nacra99]

That's good progress! Looks like it was greenwater afterall...
Note it's very likely that the greenwater will return within a day or so after the lights are turned back on.
Until either the nutrient levels drop or the UV sterilizer goes in.
Another plant you can put in besides the ones you listed is anacharis (or elodea where i come from).

I really like the landscape BTW. Looks like your Vals are already sending out runners. They must like it there.

Good luck!