We have a 50-gal lightly-planted freshwater tank. It’s been up and running for about 9 months. We have 26 fish, ranging in size from adult Yoyo Loaches to young Julii Corys. We have driftwood for our two bristlenose plecos and a couple of phony hollow wood logs for the loaches to chase each other through.
50-gal Aqueon HOB filter and a large sponge filter. Imagitarium aquatic substrate.
We feed a few shredded spirulina and krill flakes, a pinch of sinking pellets, and either a couple of algae wafers, veggie rounds or catfish chips twice a day. Frozen brine shrimp substituted for one meal twice a week.
We do around 30-percent water change every week, syphoning the gravel. Perimeters spot-on.
Here’s our problem: Within a day or two after the weekly water changes a light layer of what looks like dust covers everything. I can rub it off the plants but it just comes back. It covers the top of the sponge filter too. You can see small particles floating in the water before it settles on everything. I should mention that new plants often die soon after we get them so it could be plant detritus.
I don’t know if it’s harmful to our fish but it certainly can’t be good.
Whatever it is, it just keeps cycling after each water change.
Any thoughts on solving our mystery?
50-gal Aqueon HOB filter and a large sponge filter. Imagitarium aquatic substrate.
We feed a few shredded spirulina and krill flakes, a pinch of sinking pellets, and either a couple of algae wafers, veggie rounds or catfish chips twice a day. Frozen brine shrimp substituted for one meal twice a week.
We do around 30-percent water change every week, syphoning the gravel. Perimeters spot-on.
Here’s our problem: Within a day or two after the weekly water changes a light layer of what looks like dust covers everything. I can rub it off the plants but it just comes back. It covers the top of the sponge filter too. You can see small particles floating in the water before it settles on everything. I should mention that new plants often die soon after we get them so it could be plant detritus.
I don’t know if it’s harmful to our fish but it certainly can’t be good.
Whatever it is, it just keeps cycling after each water change.
Any thoughts on solving our mystery?