10 Gallon Water a Milky Cloudy Color

Question
I have had a 10 gallon since 12/05.  About 2 months ago, problems started.  I lost 4 fish (barbs).  We got everything under control until about 4 weeks ago when my nitrites spikes.  Over a 2 week span we did 30% water changes about every other day.  Then about 2 weeks ago the water turned a milky white color.  I can not see anything in the tank.  If you look close, you can see the milky white substance clouding together and separating.  (I hope this makes sense.)  I can not get rid of this.  When I do a partial water change, the next day the water is back to the milky cloudy form again.  I have two fish (barbs).  Can you help me.  All levels are normal.  All this is new to me and I'm about to throw my hand up and get rid of it all.  Thanks

Answer
Dear Amy,
Sounds like you have a bacterial bloom which can be caused by either a newly setup aquarium..Or one which has recently been polluted by organic matter (fish food, ect.)

Nitrite spiking is almost always leads back to an overcleaning of the filter or gravel bed (such as taking the gravel out and rinsing it)
It's good that you did those water changes as you did.
What are your levels at now?
All aquariums should have levels as follows-
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20 or less.

Anything that could have polluted the water will certainly lead to the problems that you have mentioned.
What I would do now is-
1.)Insure your levels are the above (ammmonia,nitrite,ect)
2.)No overfeeding is taking place
3.)In order to get your cloudiness cleared up-
*Change 30-50% of your aquarium water 'everyday'
(Always insure your replacement water is equal in temp to your aquarium and is properly dechlorinated)

*The cloudiness is due to an imbalance of nutrients and certain bacteria and perhaps even infusoria are feeding upon the nutrients and their population boom is the causing the cloudiness.

I've dealt with many cloudy aquariums in the past so many times before and the cure I have found for all is daily water changes to help get everything established and stablized once more. It may seem worthless and take forever, but it will clear eventually. Do not give up.

As long as your ammonia and nitrites are consistantly zero and nitrates 20 or less, remember the cloudiness isn't harming the fish. It just looks bad.

I really hope this helps and Best wishes!!!!
Karen~
(Here's an excellent website you might enjoy-
"www.fishtanksandponds.com")