Cloudy water in established tank

[joeb]

I have a 50 gb tank that has been established for several years. It was crystal clear as recently as Christmas. I had some trouble with my Reena filter so I replace it but moved all of the medium to the new filter. I haven't been able to keep it clear since then. I am doing regular water changes and have reduced the population of fish as well.  Water tests show that all is well. It looks like there are particulates suspended in the water. I have used a water clarifier for this and it works, but not for more than 24 hours. 

Any suggestions?

[Fishnut]

Is it white cloudy or green cloudy?

[joeb]

white cloudy

I have now further reduced the population by setting up a second tank for my female guppies. I think that's my problem. Since that time, the original tank is gradually becoming more clear.

[fischkopp]

White cloudy water can be caused by steering up fine substrate - I find especially black fluorite is prone to that.

In most cases though it is a bacteria bloom in the water column - it's a sign that your bio filter isn't able to keep up with the bio load for some reason (whatever changed beforehand). You did the right thing by reducing the number of fish.

[LittleAngel104]

I also think it's a bio load problem.  I had a similar proble years ago when I started in the hobby.  At that point somebody suggested that i was cleaning my filter too often (Eheim 2215, once every 2 weeks) and being a bit too eager on the water changes (25% to 30% weekly).  I was way too tidy!!!  I was getting rid of too much water and filter media ''goo''.  By doing that,  I was getting rid of too much ''good'' bacterias (bio load) and the fishie waste couldn't get ''processed'',  which was causing the cloudy white water. 

Needless to say,  now I never clean my filters the same day I do my water changes AND I drastically diminished the amount of cleaning I do in my tanks.   I clean my canister filters about once a month and do water changes about every 2.5 weeks.  My fish have never been better and healthier.  My water parameters are always perfect (haven't had an issue with that in at least 4 years).

Anyway,  hope this helps a bit...

[joeb]

You may have hit on part of the problem. Things were clearing up but now they have regressed again. I've been doing a 1/4 water change once a week. I'll skip this week and see what happens. The population may still be part of the issue. Even though I have separate out the females, there were fry in the tank that have now grown up. Its time for another trip to Big Al's with a bag of fish, I guess.