Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Setting up the aquarium
• Method 2 of 3: Maintaining your aquarium
• Method 3 of 3: Purifying Turbid Water
• Tips

If you have an aquarium, you need to keep it clean. Fish need clean and healthy water for a normal life. Leftover food, fish waste and overgrown algae raise the pH level of the water, which is unsafe for the aquarium dwellers. There are various ways to purify aquarium water.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Setting up the aquarium

1. 1 Do not rush to purify muddy water. It often happens that muddy water settles and brightens by itself. Often the water becomes cloudy due to the presence of various microorganisms in it, such as bacteria, protozoa unicellular and multicellular organisms. These microorganisms originate from the presence of fish, food and waste from the inhabitants of the aquarium. Usually, the aquarium water reaches its normal state and is cleaned in about a week.
   • Be patient. Take your time to add chemicals to the water or try to purify it with drastic measures, and remember that the aquarium is full of living organisms. Before doing anything, consider what could have caused the water to cloud. Adding extra chemicals and cleaning agents to your aquarium can upset the balance and harm your fish.
2. 2 Add good bacteria to the water. This will improve the natural processes that take place in the aquarium. There are two ways to add beneficial bacteria to your aquarium. You can purchase a bacteria pack or aquarium substrate with bacteria already on it at the pet store. You can also transfer various objects (pebbles, stones, wooden objects, or filter gaskets) from your old aquarium to your new aquarium that already have beneficial bacteria on them.
   • Bacterial cultures will help remove toxins such as ammonia and nitrite from the water. The bacteria will convert these substances into less harmful nitrates, which will be excreted during the next water change. Bacterial cultures are best suited for these purposes. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
3. 3 Place suitable live plants in the aquarium. Another way to keep the water clear is to add live plants to your tank. Such plants are covered with beneficial bacteria and they also participate in the water purification process. These can be purchased at your nearest pet store.
4. 4 Find out if you are using the correct filter. There are various filters that serve different purposes. The water can become cloudy due to the wrong filter. The choice of filter depends on the number of fish and the type of aquarium, and whether it contains live or artificial plants.
   • There are three types of aquarium filters. Mechanical filters remove particles from the water by pushing the water through the material on which the dirt particles settle. Biological filters use bacteria to convert toxic substances into less harmful ones. In chemical filters, toxins and harmful substances are removed from the water through chemical reactions.
5. 5 Settle your aquarium wisely. Do not put too many fish in the aquarium, as this can cause health problems and make it difficult to clean the aquarium. Try to have about four liters of water for every 2.5 centimeters in length.

Method 2 of 3: Maintaining your aquarium

1. 1 Change the water. Aim to change 20% of the aquarium water once a week. If using tap water, let it sit for two days. During this time, the water will warm up to room temperature, the chlorine content in it will decrease, and the fish will not experience shock when you pour water into the aquarium.
   • You can also purchase a vacuum cleaner attachment that allows you to clean your aquarium gravel when changing water. In this case, you do not have to wait several days for the water to settle. Just make sure the fresh water is about the same temperature as your aquarium, and don't forget to add chlorine remover to the water.
2. 2 Keep the filter clean. The filter must be kept in good working order. The filter helps to keep the aquarium water clean and livable, so you need to keep an eye on it. A defective filter can cause water pollution and even fish death. Read the instructions for use of the filter to know how to care for it.
   • Filters of all types should be checked and, if necessary, replaced once a month. Check the filter every week to spot possible clogging and dirt build-up in time. Clean or replace the filter as needed.
   • Read the instructions for use of the pump in order to properly install and operate it. A pump is needed to saturate the aquarium water with oxygen from the air. Improper operation of the pump will lead to poor health of the fish, especially if the water becomes cloudy and waste accumulates in it.
3. 3 Clean your aquarium. Another way to keep the water in good condition is to clean your tank regularly. Set a schedule and clean your tank at least once a month. Remember to change the water at least once a week.

Method 3 of 3: Purifying Turbid Water

1. 1 Watch for signs of bacterial bloom. After changes in the aquarium, such as changing a lot of water, completely cleaning and treating the fish, bacterial blooms are possible. If this is what caused the water to cloud, be patient. After a few days, the bacterial balance will be established, after which the water should clear itself.
2. 2 Check filters. Water can become cloudy due to defective filters. The filter system contains bacteria that absorb waste products such as ammonia and purify the water. If the filters fail, bacteria will build up in the water, making it cloudy.
3. 3 Adapt the aquarium to the additional fish. If you recently added a new fish to the aquarium, make the necessary changes. For example, if the new fish are larger than the old ones, this can be overwhelming for the filter system.In this case, change the filter system or reduce the number of fish in the aquarium.
4. 4 Try not to overfeed your fish. Excess feed can cause cloudy water. Fish should be fed in moderation. Give them some food once a day and do not feed them at all for 1-2 days a week.
5. 5 Add decorations to your aquarium with care. Sometimes the water becomes cloudy due to the scenery. Wash decorations thoroughly before placing them in the aquarium. Check all decorations to make sure they fit your aquarium and are purchased from a reputable pet store.
   • Make sure that the decorations do not dissolve, disappear, soften, fall apart or change their color.
6. 6 Control the growth of algae. Green algae develop on the walls of aquariums, and sometimes on the decorations inside them. You can scrape off algae during a routine water change. Using a soft plastic scraper, carefully remove the algae in one place, then rinse the instrument and repeat the procedure. Rinse the scraper under clean running tap water.
   • Make sure that the aquarium is not too brightly lit, as this can accelerate the growth of algae. Do not place the aquarium near a window and keep it lit for 10-12 hours a day.
   • Do not overfeed your fish - leftover food can also contribute to the growth of algae.

Tips

• In most cases, cloudy water clears up on its own. Just be patient.
• Do not overfill your aquarium with decorations, otherwise it will be difficult to clean it.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing aquarium filters and pumps.
• A general cleaning of the aquarium may be required, with all the water replaced and the gravel, filters, decorations and walls cleaned. Do this cleaning only if other methods have not helped.
• Rotting organic matter often causes bacterial blooms and water turbidity. Check if all the inhabitants of the aquarium are alive and well.