Color of the water

Last Updated on Sunday, 12 July 2009 15:17 Written by Camu Tuesday, 27 May 2008 19:25

You may have noticed on the photos the water appears "milky". This happens sometimes in the early days of an aquarium.
It is due to bacteria that benefit the filter is not yet effective to proliferate.
However, the color should disappear in two or three days.

If this happens to you while you just start your tank (or the week after) the best thing to do is to wait until the nitrogen cycle and that the balance of the tank is done. Ie after the peak of nitrite which often occurs after three to four weeks.

Conduct regular tests of nitrite (daily, at worst every two days) after the second week following the start of your aquarium. If after one month you still have not measured a rise of nitrite, you can say it's over.
But be wary in populating not only at once and continue the regular testing of nitrite even a little.

I did not say it yet (as my aquarium is not yet at this stage) but prior to populate your aquarium you need to know the parameters of your water. So either you buy the tests or you can ask to your petshop or local fish shop if it can do for you.

You need to know the pH, the rate of nitrite and nitrate (NO2 and NO3) and hardness (TH and TAC, or GH and KH) of your water.