Aquarium cloudy water after water change.?

Question

I have a 55 gallon 10 year established aquarium that water turns cloudy after 5 gallon water change. This issue has been occurring for about a year. I did switch to LED lighting about a year ago and their has been an algae problem since adding LEDs. I have changed LEDs hours to 8 hours a day and I have added live plants which has reduced the algae. Water is still cloudy after water changes. I have a cascade filter and under gravel filter. Water tests are fine, no issues with water.

Any ideas why it's turning cloudy?

Any ideas why it's turning cloudy?

kswck2 · Answer

Probably just dissolved air in the water you are adding.

noselessman · Answer

1. 5 gallon water changes are not enough, you should be changing 35-50 percent of the water each time.

How much substrate do you have?  It seems like a lot.  I know there is a way to creat a nitrate free tank with deep gravel. especially if you have live plants. But It is likely that the substrate just trapped more and more detritus over time.

Consider a pre filter.
consider larger water changes, 
consider removing the substrate,
consider cleaning the filter.

Aquarium cloudy water after water change.?

2 Answers