My fish tank is cloudy with high nitrates after meds. Will UV help?

Thanks for reaching out. You need to determine why it is cloudy before you can treat. Test for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Exam the filters and clean if necessary. Some fish stores will let you bring in water samples to test. Good luck.

This can be due to micro bubbles from the filter. This will typically resolve in a few days. If the filter outflow creates a large amount of turbulence, try decreasing the flow rate. Another cause can be a bacterial bloom. This is a common occurrence after a water change and is caused by elevated ammonia levels or large amounts of organic matter in the tank. Either can feed bacteria and promote overgrowth. Check the filter media and rinse it, with tank water not tap water, if necessary. Check the water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ammonia levels, ideally, should be 0 ppm. Perform a partial water change if necessary. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Condition the water before pouring it into the tank. Remove any dead or dying plants, limit lighting, monitor water temp and don't overfeed. This will decrease the chance of a bloom occurring due to excess organic matter. Luckily, bacterial blooms are not harmful to fish. They can be frustrating, but they do clear up eventually.

The cloudiness can be due to elevated ammonia or nitrite levels or algae blooms. If the tank was previously cycled, the water change may have disrupted the nitrogen cycle resulting in cloudy water. Check the water temperature and chemistry. It is okay to cycle a tank with a turtle in it. They are hardier than fish and can withstand the elevated ammonia and nitrites until the tank chemistry "settles" down.

Weekly to biweekly 25 % water change can keep the water healthy. Also, monitor the temperature and water chemistry and adjust as needed. You many consider wiping down the sides often to prevent algae from Growing on the glass. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

If you put an Oscar in with your Tetras, they will be harassed and eventually eaten. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing to check chemistry. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20ppm or less. It can be slightly higher if you have live plants. If there is still ammonia present, the tank is still cycling. The cloudiness may be micro-bubbles which will eventually resolve or it could be a bacterial bloom which will also resolve once the tank has cycled.

Thanks for reaching out about Diesel. This surely points to water quality issues. Have you tested the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? Any chance of copper in the system? Parasites and bacteria rarely cause death this quickly. Remove all fish and place in new tanks, with spring water (bottled or reverse osmosis). Change or add carbon filtration. Good luck.

The best and safest method is through daily partial water changes, about 30-40% of total tank volume. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Recommended water conditioners are AmQuel, NovAqua and StressCoat. These can be purchased online or in most pet stores or fish stores. A home test kit should be used to monitor levels. If a tank is properly cycled, beneficial bacteria will break down these toxins. Overfeeding, excessive light or heat and dead plants can cause spikes in ammonia and nitrite levels.