Turbid water in the aquarium

Turbidity caused by visible particles in the water, so-called suspended particles, is sometimes only a temporary problem, for example when components of the aquarium bottom are swirled up during a remodeling of the aquarium. Another cause of such turbulence can be the activities of burrowing fish. This is usually remedied by mechanical filtration through the aquarium filter, although it may be necessary to use a finer filter fleece if the problem is permanent (that is, if motile aquarium inhabitants are responsible for the turbidity). To maintain the water flow of the filter and prevent clogging, fine filter fleeces should be checked and cleaned more frequently.

If the aquarium water appears milky without individual particles being visible to the naked eye, it can be assumed that there is a strong increase in certain bacteria, the so-called bacterial bloom. This phenomenon often occurs in newly set-up aquariums where the microbiological balance has not yet settled. In the warm season, an uncontrolled proliferation of bacteria can also occur in established aquariums. Filter cleaning, water changes, or drug treatments can also cause the biological balance to tip. In order to keep the inevitable bacterial bloom in check during the start-up phase of the aquarium or to avoid impairments of the biological balance due to other necessary interventions, products with high-performance bacteria, such as ROWAbac, are recommended.

If the turbid water appears greenish, the cause is an uncontrolled proliferation of unicellular floating algae. This is triggered  by overfertilization of the water with phosphates, for example, as a result of the decomposition processes of food residues. In this case, attention should be paid to harmless adsorber products, such as ROWAphos, which bind phosphate and thus deprive the floating algae of the basis for their growth.   In freshwater aquariums, such adsorbers should be dosed carefully because not only floating algae but also aquarium plants need phosphates for their growth.

Discoloration of the water in the aquarium by yellow substances can be caused by humic acids, tannins (which are released, for example, by branches or certain bottom materials), and other factors, such as dyes in food and general decomposition products. Such discoloration is not harmful, but for aesthetic reasons, it can be perceived as a nuisance. High-performance activated carbon products such as ROWAcarbon, which also bind other disturbing or harmful substances such as organic waste, cnidobacteria toxins, or drug residues in the aquarium water, provide a remedy here.