by Adewale Olowode

Created on: October 28, 2008   Last Updated: March 07, 2011

An aquarium constitutes a miniature picture of a river or an ocean of the world. It is an attempt by man to imitate nature in a simple straightforward way. Aquarists use an aquarium to keep fish, or other water life forms at one location, with the intention of having fun or learning more about their properties. The fish thus become a pet while the aquarium serves as an ecosystem. Effort is made to complete the biotic (living factors) as well as the abiotic (non-living) factors. An aquarium is supposed to be an artificial (or man-made) habitat for water loving animals preferably kept as pets.

The chemistry of cloudy water is generally described by what is called "colloidal solution." Colloids are particles intermediate in size between those found in solutions and suspensions, and range in size between 10-8 and 10-6 m in size. In an aquarium, the major biotic factors include fish and algae. Metabolism (or feeding) process of each of these organisms results in the production of ammonia and other organic waste products. Bacteria and fungi are scavengers and live on these remains for survival. So, the ammonia and other organic waste produced are turned into nitrites first of all, then nitrates finally. Nitrates is the primary cause of cloudy water in aquariums, with level in the range of 20 parts per million (ppm) and above. Cloudy water will assist in the growth of unwanted algae in an aquarium.

Water chemistry management of fish tanks is as important as the pet fish husbandry. In fact, both are supposed function together for excellent result. Having a cloudy water is one way to know that all feasible life processes are taking place in the ecosystem at any point in time. However, it is also a sign that things have gotten out of hand at the level of water chemistry. The following are the necessary tips to prevent cloudy water in an aquarium:

1. Use clean sand, gravels and rocks to prepare an aquarium. Stock could be fetched around the home or purchased from pet stores.

2. Use the Tyndall effect or Rayleigh scattering to determine the current state of your aquarium water. Tyndall effect is the result of light scattering on particles in a colloidal system. It could be used to tell whether the aquarium water is still a solution, a suspension, or a colloid.

3. Make partial water changes. Change 50 percent of the water weekly in a freshwater aquarium for best result. Change 25 percent of the water weekly in a marine aquarium.

4. Refuse to yield to the temptation to overpopulate

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