Cloudy Water

[Igneomorphis]

Hello,

A new member in Braselton, GA just started in the hobby in August.

The tank has been up since the beginning of August.
Having a challenge with cloudy water in my 90-gallon tank. Parameters are ammonia near 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 25, Phosphate .25, Calcium 440, Alkalinity 9.8, Magnesium 1350, PH 8.3. Changed out my Carbon Reactor last night...no change. I have 19 fish in the tank. 10% water change each week. Change filter sock every 2 - 3 days. Clean skimmer often.
The first picture is a month ago before my Reef Brite lights...other pictures are today.

Any suggestions?

 

[ActiveAngel]

Tank up since august; I would expect maybe 2-4 fish.... but 19 fish, in only 90 gallons, and only running for a couple months! That’s wayyy overstocked.

I’m not claiming this as the sole cause; however, due to an overstocked tank, you could be seeing a high organic and high bacterial load in the water column... clouding up the water.

This is potentially supporting by ammonia being “near 0”. You want ammonia to be at 0 (or technically speaking, ‘below testable limits’). If you are reading non-zero, that would support all the above statements to being strong contributing factors to your cloudy water.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Honestly, and IMO, I would recommend finding new homes for most of those fish asap. Especially some of the larger ones. I’d try to get my number down to 4-7 fish, and that would be pushing it. Not only is it risking poisoning/killing all of the fish, but also increases territorial stress on the fish, and reduces the available oxygen in the water. God forbid if the power goes out, this tank is likely headed towards a crash, for potentially multiple reasons, all stemming from being overstocked. Sorry for bearing bad news; you have our support!

But this is all just based on my experience. In the end, it’s your choice. But patience is a necessity in this hobby. Good luck! And we are here for you.

 

[civics14]

Are you dosing any chemicals? Bacteria in a bottle? Prime?

 

[Igneomorphis]

Are you dosing any chemicals? Bacteria in a bottle? Prime?

I have been dosing Microbateria7 and Vibrant from Brightwell
Actually cleared up after dosing and a carbon change.