Cloudy Tank Water

[MorganMK]

HI all!

I've had my axolotl Anya (about five months old) for about two months now and she's doing wonderfully! However, about a week ago I noticed that her tank water became cloudy which has not happened before and her ammonia levels were testing at about 0.25. I realize now that the only change I had made was changing out the Fluval U2 filter poly-carb pads (20 gallon tank, bare bottom) as I had read this was recommended once a month. When I searched about cloudy tank water, I read mixed opinions about whether or not changing the filter media was good or bad as changing it removes beneficial bacteria that combats ammonia. I guess what I'm asking is whether my changing of the poly-carb pads could have led to the cloudy water and if I should refrain from changing them in the future?

Additionally, how do i go about combating the cloudy water? I'm doing 20% water changes every other day and Anya appears to be normal (active, gills are spread, eating regularly). This is my first time owning an axolotl and I've done a ton of research but am still unclear in this area.

I'm in the process of cycling a new, larger tank so I know that I'll be transferring her there in the next couple of weeks and things should be fine but want to make sure she's healthy in the interim.

Thanks in advance!

 

[everharvests]

Hi!!

If the water is cloudy + ammonia levels are up that is a pretty good sign you've killed a decent portion of your bacteria. Changing filter media absolutely kills beneficial bacteria. Do you have any other media in your tank? Or anything else the bacteria could cling to (decorations, plants, hides, etc.)? Also, just to be clear we are talking about 0.25 ppm, right? If so, that is quite high and potentially stressful/dangerous for your axie. What was the ammonia level before you change the pad (or the last time you remember testing the water)?

The info on when to change filter media with axies is kind of contested, but in my opinion, I would recommend replacing your filter only when it really absolutely necessary (when it gets very gunked up or about every 5-6 months). For biomedia (where your nitrifying bacteria lives) like the pads you changed it is recommended that you only change about half of it at a time, so you don't deplete your tank of bacteria. Cleaning the filter pad 1-2 times a week is also what I'd do too to reduce the general yuckiness that could build up in your filter media.

Overall, I would keep a very close eye on the ammonia levels in your tank and make sure they are going down and not increasing. Because axolotls are so sensitive to ammonia it is super important to make sure that when you're replacing filter media, you're leaving some of it behind to support bacteria.

P.S. Anya is such a cute name!

 

[wolfen]

activated carbon, carbon pads etc are part of the chemical filtration of the filter and only last about a month so need to be replaced monthly, unfortunately because the fluval u2 is only suitable for a 12 gallon bare bones ie.. axolotl tank (the rating for the u2 is 12 gallon - 30 gallon) this has meant that your bacteria colony has extended into the chemical filtration so when you removed the pad you also removed up to a third of your bacteria colony, this means that your tank has in a way gone back to cycling and you are getting bacteria blooms until the bacteria gets re-established.
water changes will remove the cloudiness for a while but as soon a there is any waste it will cloud again, this can be solved by increasing the filtration or by having porous rocks etc in the tank for the bacteria to colonise.
sometimes it is useful to have a sponge/air filter as well.

 

[MorganMK]

Hi!!

If the water is cloudy + ammonia levels are up that is a pretty good sign you've killed a decent portion of your bacteria. Changing filter media absolutely kills beneficial bacteria. Do you have any other media in your tank? Or anything else the bacteria could cling to (decorations, plants, hides, etc.)? Also, just to be clear we are talking about 0.25 ppm, right? If so, that is quite high and potentially stressful/dangerous for your axie. What was the ammonia level before you change the pad (or the last time you remember testing the water)?

The info on when to change filter media with axies is kind of contested, but in my opinion, I would recommend replacing your filter only when it really absolutely necessary (when it gets very gunked up or about every 5-6 months). For biomedia (where your nitrifying bacteria lives) like the pads you changed it is recommended that you only change about half of it at a time, so you don't deplete your tank of bacteria. Cleaning the filter pad 1-2 times a week is also what I'd do too to reduce the general yuckiness that could build up in your filter media.

Overall, I would keep a very close eye on the ammonia levels in your tank and make sure they are going down and not increasing. Because axolotls are so sensitive to ammonia it is super important to make sure that when you're replacing filter media, you're leaving some of it behind to support bacteria.

P.S. Anya is such a cute name!

Prior to changing it, it was 0 and yes we are talking ppm. I have a few decorations such as hides and java ferns. Good to know to only change one pad at a time when needed! More than likely i'll tub her until i can get everything settled! Thank you so much and thank you for the compliment

 

[wolfen]

Prior to changing it, it was 0 and yes we are talking ppm. I have a few decorations such as hides and java ferns. Good to know to only change one pad at a time when needed! More than likely i'll tub her until i can get everything settled! Thank you so much and thank you for the compliment

as a rule of thumb, chemical filtration such as carbon needs to be replaced monthly, chemical filtration such as zeolite is washed/soaked in salt water and rinsed with clean water monthly, mechanical filtration such as foam pads need to be washed/squeezed out using old tank water, never tap water, biological filtration such as ceramic rings etc.. need to be rinsed through with old tank water, never tap water.
both the mechanical and the biological filtration should out live the life of the filter unless there is severe degradation or contamination.