cloudy water, brown slime

Question
ph- 6.8
nitrite- >.3
what is the brown slime that grows inside the fiter intake tube?
why is my water cloudy and how can i clear it up?
i have platties, mollies, swords, guppies, tetras, danios, cory cats, etc.  tank has been set up for about 6 months.  fish are lively and very active.  drift wood and live plants are in tank.  bio-wheel filter.  cleaned and vacuumed regularly.  

Answer
Hi Kelly;

The slimy stuff is usually algae and/or waste. Bacteria is growing there too, but it is a good type of bacteria that breaks down dissolved wastes in the water that flows through there.

Cloudiness can have several causes.
What size tank is it?
How many of each fish do you have?
How often is the gravel vacuumed?
How often is the filter changed?
How much water is replaced at water changes?

Let me know as soon as you can.....

Chris Robbins