Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:30 pm Water discoloration/hue
Several weeks ago when checking the water quality, the ammonia levels was extremely high. Since then I have done several partial water changes and have added API Quick Start to be certain the bacteria would become active. Currently, the ammonia and nitrite are at 0, the nitrate is moderate, but I've still been doing about 1-2 partial water changes a week.
I normally use water from a Primo fill station at Walmart as my tap water is softened and wanted to avoid adding the sodium from it. However, as I wasn't always able to get water from a Primo station when I was doing frequent water changes, I was using my softened tap water. Since the ammonia and nitrite have been 0, I haven't done water changes as frequent and have been using Primo water for all changes.
Since this as all occurred, I've noticed that the tank water has taken on a slight tint/hue or discoloration. At first I thought i may be some sediment or rust not fully taken out but the water softener, but it hasn't been removed or otherwise cleared up. It's really only noticeable when viewing the tank from the long end, which is about 6 feet in length. Whenever I've taken a sample to measure water quality, the small volume appears clear and mostly clear when viewing the tank from the width.
Currently, I just have one RES, about 18.5 cm in shell length and the tank has approximately 85 gallons of water. I use a FX5 filter with ceramic media and activated carbon. While the ammonia was high, I did add some Imagitarium zeolite crystals per the instructios (2 cups), but have since removed them. I typically change 15 to 20 gallons each time I do a water change.
Looking for any advice as what may be causing the discoloration. I understand that during a bacteria bloom, the water may become cloudy, which did happened, but should not discolor the water.
Madness will reign.