Why is my aquarium water getting cloudy?

Why is my aquarium water cloudy? What causes cloudy water in an aquarium? If you've been an aquarium owner for any length of time, you may have experienced trouble with troubled waters.

Through this guide, we will explain, why, comment and especially the treatment of cloudy water in an aquarium.

Why is the water in my aquarium getting cloudy?

When you're enjoying your aquarium, there's nothing more annoying than cloudy water. But how does this phenomenon occur and what is the cause? Difficult to answer this question. That said, we can list the different problems that cause cloudy water and how to solve them. But first, learn how to determine if your water is greyish, brown or green. Thus, you can apply the appropriate solution.

Why is the water in my aquarium cloudy?

Have you just bought your aquarium and poured water into it? So the first contributing factor to this cloudy appearance could be the substrate you are using.

1. Substrate

In freshwater aquariums, all substrates should be thoroughly rinsed before being placed in the bottom of the aquarium. This is because substrates can be extremely dusty if not thoroughly rinsed, causing cloudy water. The best way to prevent this is to rinse the substrate in small quantities in order to obtain a precise rinsing. If this step is skipped, the combination of dust and water is bound to cause cloudy water.

2. Tap water

Cloudy water can also be caused by the type of water used. Indeed, tap water can contain heavy metals, nitrates, phosphates and even silicates... Remember to test your tap water before adding it to the aquarium water to ensure that its nitrate and phosphate levels, among others, are not too high.

You can also use a tap water conditioner. The latter will neutralize harmful elements such as chlorine and chloramine, ammonia and heavy metals. Finally, we recommend that you let your water stand for 24 hours in the open air before pouring it into your aquarium. By doing this, all the chlorine will be eliminated naturally.

3. Colonization of bacteria

After setting up a brand new aquarium, it is not uncommon for the water in the aquarium to become cloudy. This is due to the colonization of bacteria transforming nitrogen to oxidize ammonia and nitrites. This beneficial bacterial growth can also occur in any other aquarium if there is a sudden increase in nutrients.

Indeed, the increase in nutrients triggers the growth of heterotrophic bacteria. These bacteria break down fish waste, plant debris and uneaten food into ammonia. They then create a sticky biological film which sticks to the decorations and to the walls of the aquarium. In this case, try to reduce the amount of food and perform more regular water changes. Adding live plants can also help reduce nutrient levels.

4. Driftwood

When the water in your aquarium turns brown or green, it negatively affects its aesthetic appearance. However, this can be caused by the addition of a popular aquatic decoration: driftwood.

If the wood has not been washed before adding to the aquarium, it may cause a slight brown discoloration of the water. This coloration comes from the release of tannic acid. This will gradually clear up with regular water changes and the use of a filtration system. If driftwood has been added and you notice brown discoloration, test the pH level of the water (tannic acids can lower the pH).

5. Algae bloom in the aquarium

Of all the causes of cloudy water, green water is the most difficult to rectify. Green water originates from a proliferation of algae cells. These contain flagella that give them some mobility, allowing them to swim closer to light for photosynthesis. These organisms can arise from:

• From too intense a light;
• From an overload of fish;
• A high phosphate rate;
• Too many nutrients.

However, these algae can disturb the quality of the water. Not only because they discolor the water, but also because they can deplete oxygen levels at night.

How to get rid of green algae?

Unfortunately, just performing a water change is not enough to rid an aquarium of green water. To get rid of them, reduce the nutrient supply, use a UV sterilizer and add daphnia (water fleas) to the aquarium.

Conclusion: for each problem, its solution!

As you will have understood, each element that can cloud the water in your aquarium can be limited. We hope you were able to determine the source of the problem. Now you can prevent this inconvenience and deal with discoloration problems in your water. In a few months, you will be able to admire the beauty of your marine ecosystem in crystal clear water!

And for more aquarium and aquascaping tips and tricks, we invite you to check out our latest blog posts.