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First Timer Planted Tank

372 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Cassandra Turke, 
C
I started a ten gallon planted tank back in April of this year. It has been doing pretty well, all plants are growing great but every time I do a water change/vacuum my tank gets cloudy and a white film covers everything for about 2 days. It also, seems to be hard for my fish to breath.

I do not stir the gravel in the tank with the vacuum, I only hover over the top. I change out 4 gallons every weekend. I always check my water parameters before and after the water change, everything is ideal levels.

What is the correct way to clean a planted tank or is there more issues than I think?

This is my first ever full planted tank. I have had 20 gallon and 55 gallon tanks in the past that were all artificial plants with no problems.
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Krispyplants
What kind of substrate are you using?
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C
I am using eco-complete gravel. I rinsed it very well before using it. I read some where that I may have too much organic material which could be causing a bacteria bloom after my water changes. But I have no idea on how to correct that.
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Watercrayfish
Its bacteria bloom, have you checked your tap water ammonia? Water change may be causing ammonia spike. Also try skipping water change one week if the water parameters allow.
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C
I have not tested the tap water it self. I usually fill a 5 gallon bucket the night before the water change and add tap water conditioner to it. I will test the tap water itself this week.
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