Aquarium and Pond Care with EcoBio-Block

Cloudy fish tank water is one of the most common problems affecting novice and experienced aquarium hobbyists alike. This problem is not only common but it can also pop up unexpectedly – one day your tank could be perfectly clear and the next day it might look like you poured a cup of milk into the tank. Before you can remedy your tank’s problems with cloudy water, you need to learn the causes of this condition and explore the treatment options available.

Causes for Cloudy Fish Tank Water

Before you consider some of the more serious causes for cloudy tank water, you may want to check to be sure that it isn’t the result of something as simple as dirty substrate. If you do not thoroughly rinse your aquarium substrate before adding it to your tank it could not only introduce harmful contaminants into your tank but it could also cloud your tank water. Another possible cause for cloudy tank water is a bacterial bloom. When a sudden growth of bacteria results in a cloudy appearance in aquarium water, it is generally referred to as a bacterial bloom. These growths can occur suddenly and may be brought about by a variety of factors. If your tank has not cycled properly or if there is a significant accumulation of waste build-up in your substrate, your tank is likely to experience a bacterial bloom. In some cases, algae blooms can also cause cloudy tank water but these blooms generally turn the water green rather than milky white. Algae blooms are generally caused by excess lighting or carbon dioxide so controlling these elements in your tank will help to prevent an algae bloom.

Recommended Solutions

Many aquarium hobbyists assume that cloudy tank water can be remedied by replacing a large quantity of tank water. While removing the cloudy water from the tank might seem like a good idea, it may not solve the problem. Before you can solve your tank’s problems with cloudy water you need to determine its cause. Performing an aquarium water test should help you determine whether there is a chemical imbalance in your tank and, if there is, you will have a good idea what you need to do to fix it. High ammonia levels may indicate that your tank has not properly cycled or that organic waste is building up in the bottom of your tank. The simplest solution in either of these cases is to siphon your tank substrate, removing the accumulated debris. Once you have removed the accumulated debris you can replace the water you removed with fresh dechlorinated tap water. It may take a day or two for your tank to return to normal but, in most cases, this solution is sufficient to remedy problems with cloudy tank water.

Additional Tips and Tricks

If you want to ensure that your tank water stays clean and clear, think about adding an EcoBio-Stone to your freshwater tank. EcoBio-Stones are made from porous volcanic cement and they are infused with the beneficial bacteria your tank needs to maintain the nitrogen cycle. Once these bacteria are introduced into your tank, they will multiply and get to work breaking down waste products and eliminating harmful toxins like ammonia from your tank. Replacing your filter media once a month and testing your tank water on a weekly basis will also help to prevent a recurrence of cloudy tank water.

Whether you have a single fish that has grown too large for his tank or a group of fish that has multiplied, exceeding the capabilities of your current tank to support, it may be time to upgrade to a larger tank. While it may sound like a hassle, upgrading to a larger tank can actually be a relatively simple process and it is one that will benefit both you and your fish. If you try to keep a large fish, or a large number of fish in a tank too small, not only will your fish fail to thrive but you will find yourself performing ever more frequent water changes just to keep the water quality in the tank high. If you upgrade to a larger tank, the increased water capacity will provide your fish with the space they need to move and grow and it will also help to dilute toxins, thus reducing the need for frequent water changes.

Things to Consider When Upgrading

When it comes to upgrading your tank, of course, you need to think carefully about what size tank you want to upgrade to. Making the switch from a 20-gallon to a 29-gallon tank may be beneficial for your fish but if you are serious about the aquarium hobby you might want to go even larger – a 40- or 55-gallon tank might be a better choice. Once you have settled on a tank size, you need to take a look at your tank equipment to see whether it needs an upgrade as well. Even if your aquarium heater and filter are still in working order, they may be too small to accommodate your new tank size. Refer to the manual that came with your equipment to see what tank size it is recommended for – if your new tank falls within the recommended range you do not need to purchase new equipment.

Even if your current equipment still works, you might want to think of your tank upgrade as an opportunity to upgrade your aquarium equipment as well. Aquarium supply companies are constantly coming out with new and improved models so you may find that some of the newer aquarium heaters and filters have features that your current models lack. Think about whether these additional features will enhance the quality of your tank environment and if they will make your life easier in regard to maintenance – if both of these things seem to apply, it may be worth it to upgrade your equipment as well. After all, it never hurts to have a back-up filter and an aquarium heater that still works in the event that your new equipment suffers a malfunction.

Tips for Keeping Your New Tank Healthy

Once you have gone through the process of selecting and setting up your new, upgraded aquarium there are a few simple things you can do to keep it running properly. Be sure to keep up with your routine maintenance tasks by performing weekly water changes and by replacing your filter media every three to four weeks. You might also consider installing an EcoBio-Planter in your new tank to help keep the water clean and clear. EcoBio-Planters are made from natural zeolite and crushed stone, formed in the shape of a planter so they will fit seamlessly into your aquarium décor. These planters are infused with beneficial bacteria as well as the nutrients they need to survive. As soon as you add the planter to your tank, those bacteria will immediately begin working to maintain the nitrogen cycle in your tank, thus helping to keep the water clear and odor-free.

Stocking a fish tank may seem like an easy enough task – you simply go to the pet store, pick out the fish you like and bring them home. If this is the procedure you follow when stocking your tank, however, you should not be surprised if you encounter problems down the line. There are a variety of factors that should play into your decision regarding not only what type of fish you put in your tank, but the number of fish as well. If you overstock your tank, it could increase the biological load past the point that your beneficial bacteria can handle. When this happens, the water quality in your tank could drop, your ammonia levels could skyrocket and all of those new fish you just brought home may end up dying. To prevent this from happening, do your homework to be sure you stock your tank properly the first time you do it.

Important Factors to Consider

When deciding how many fish to keep in your tank, the number one factor to consider is of course, tank size. It should go without saying that large fish tanks are capable of accommodating a greater quantity of fish than smaller tanks, but this is not the only factor to consider. You must also think about the size of the fish you intend to stock your tank with. Beginning aquarium hobbyists are often encouraged to follow the “one inch of fish per gallon” rule. This rule is by no means perfect, but it is a good place to start. To follow this rule, take the full length of each fish at maturity and factor it into the gallon capacity of your tank. If you have a 30-gallon tank, for example, you could safely house fifteen fish that grow to a maximum of 2 inches in length. As it has been mentioned, this rule is not perfect. It does not account for the fact that some fish are more full-bodied than others and thus take up more space, nor does it account for the fact that some fish produce more waste than other species.

Tips for Stocking Your Tank

In order to properly stock your tank, it is wise to strive for a balance in the number and type of fish you purchase. Do not fill your tank with full-bodied fish like cichlids – rather, try to create a community tank using several different species. This may require you to purchase smaller numbers of fish but it will lead to greater harmony in your tank in the long run. You should also keep in mind that many tropical fish are schooling species and should be kept with no fewer than three of their own kind. If you plan to keep multiple species in your tank, be sure you do not overstock your tank just to meet the schooling needs of certain species. It is better to under-stock your tank at first and then to slowly add more fish, giving your tank and your current set of fish, time to acclimate.

Balance is the key to keeping an aquarium clean and healthy – a tank that is properly stocked is more likely to be in balance than an overstocked tank. In order to help your tank achieve that balance, consider adding an EcoBio-Stone to give your tank an extra boost in handling the biological load of your tank. EcoBio-Stones are made from porous volcanic rock and cement that has been infused with beneficial bacteria. Once introduced into your tank, these bacteria will multiply and immediately begin working to break down waste products and toxins in your tank, making it a cleaner and healthier environment for your fish. Over time, you will learn how many fish your tank can handle and the beneficial bacteria in your tank will adjust to any additions you make to keep it running smoothly.

Many inexperienced aquarium hobbyists make the mistake of selecting the fish for their planted tank on a whim. They simply walk into the pet store, purchase a few species that they like and take them home. If you follow this method you may find that after a few days in your tank, or even a few hours, your fish will have devoured all of the plants you worked so hard to raise. In order to avoid this kind of disaster you should perform some basic research to determine which species of aquarium fish are not likely to eat the plants in your tank.

Types of Fish That Eat Aquarium Plants

While many species of aquarium fish are likely to nibble on the plants in your aquarium, some are capable of decimating your entire planted aquarium in a matter of hours. Silver dollar fish, for example, are particularly notorious plant eaters. Other species like mollies and swordtails may nibble at your plants but will rarely do any major damage. Though they may not actually eat your aquarium plants, some larger species like gouramis and cichlids may uproot and break apart the plants in your tank and algae eaters may chew holes in them.

Species of Fish Safe for Planted Tanks

If you have taken the time to cultivate a planted tank you should also make the effort to ensure that the fish you add to your tank will not destroy all of your hard work. Most small, community species of fish pose no threat to aquarium plants. Barbs, tetras, danios and guppies are all unlikely to do anything more than pick flakes of food from the leaves of aquarium plants. Even some of the slightly larger species like discus, killifish and dwarf gouramis are safe for planted tanks. Other species that are recommended for planted tanks include corydoras catfish, platties, gobies, minnows and betta fish.

Tips for Maintaining a Planted Tank

Healthy Planted Tank

There are many benefits to cultivating live aquarium plants in your tank. Not only do live plants enhance the aesthetic appeal of your tank but they can also increase the oxygen level and help filter out harmful toxins. In order to keep your aquarium plants healthy you need to provide a healthy aquarium environment. To create this type of environment you will need adequate light, nutrition and filtration.

In addition to these three things there is something else you can do to keep your tank a clean, healthy environment for your plants and fish. Introduce an EcoBio-Planter to your mid-size aquarium as a simple way to remove odors and clarify your tank water (for larger tanks, simply add another planter or a stone). EcoBio-Planters are made from natural zeolite and crushed stone which has been infused with beneficial bacteria. Once introduced to your tank, these bacteria will multiply and establish a colony that will then work to break down wastes, remove odors and speed up the nitrogen cycle. EcoBio-Planter is also terrific for your plants. Simply place a small root ball in the opening and the plant will grow and thrive, greatly adding to the beauty of your planted aquarium.

Typical Aqurium Tank

There are several common misconceptions surrounding aquarium size. One of the most common mistakes a novice aquarium hobbyist can make is to think that a larger tank is more work to maintain than a smaller tank. In many cases, the opposite is true. When choosing the right size aquarium there are a variety of factors to consider including the level of maintenance you are willing to perform, the space you have available in your home and the types of fish you want to raise.

Tank Maintenance

If you set up your tank with the right equipment there should be relatively little maintenance involved, regardless of your tank size. Your aquarium filter will do most of the work in keeping your tank water clear by filtering out waste and toxic substances. Larger water volumes equate to a greater level of forgiveness for mistakes on the part of the aquarium hobbyist because higher water volumes dilute toxins better than small volumes. The water in smaller tanks must be changed more frequently than that in large tanks to prevent it from becoming too hard.

How to Choose the Right Size Aquarium Tank

The size and location of the space you have available in your home should be one of the major factors in considering the right size for your aquarium. You need to be able to place your tank in a low-traffic area out of direct sunlight in order to prevent accidents and excess algae growth. Before you shop for your tank, measure the space where you intend to install it and be sure you have a sturdy cabinet or stand large enough to accommodate the tank size you want. You should also keep in mind, when selecting a location for your tank, that you need to be able to access it easily in order to perform routine maintenance tasks.

Type of Fish

It may seem counterintuitive to select your aquarium fish before purchasing a tank, but doing so will help you to determine the right tank size. If you plan to fill your tank with small community fish like tetras and guppies you probably will not need anything larger than a 20- or 30- gallon tank. Larger fish, however, such as cichlids and many saltwater fish require upwards of 50 gallons of tank volume. When determining the proper size for your tank, consider the full-grown size of your fish – not the size at which you plan to purchase them. If you are just starting out, stick to the rule of purchasing one inch of fish per one gallon of tank capacity. This rule will help to prevent overcrowding in your tank.

Other Tips for Maintaining Your Tank

Choosing the right size tank for your fish is one of the simplest ways to ensure that they are able to enjoy a healthy environment. The larger the tank you select, the less you will have to worry about toxicity and overcrowding but not every hobbyist has room for a large tank. No matter what size tank you choose there are a few simple things you can do to keep it clean and healthy. Introducing an EcoBio-Stone, for example, is an easy way to boost the nitrogen cycle in your tank, ensuring that the water stays clean and clear. EcoBio-Stones are made from natural volcanic cement and infused with special beneficial bacteria. Once introduced into your tank, these bacteria will multiply and establish a colony of beneficial bacteria that will work to revitalize your tank water, remove odors and reduce the amount of necessary maintenance you have to perform.