Cloudy / yellow water

Dvir · May 26, 2023

Hi,
Experiencing reduced visibility in my tank, it's a 7 feet tank and looking at it side way I can barely see the other side due to cloudiness. It used to be very clear.
I did a WC today and put some water in a white bucket to compare water color (attached).

Tanks is about 9 months old, fish only and i'm feeding relatively heavily. I added carbon 2 weeks ago in hope it would help, but it doesn't seem to make any affect.

Tank params:
Water volume: 260g
Nitrate: 2
Phosphate: 0.02
Salinity: 1.0245
Alk: 6.1
Calcium: 405
Mag: 1260

I also see some increased algae growth lately.
How should I fight this? should I try turning off lights for a few days?

Thanks

LiLinka · May 26, 2023

I would reccomend a large water change and running some more carbon through a reactor or in a place with good water flow. If you have a uv sterilizer that would be the best option.

Troylee · May 26, 2023

Carbon in a reactor or bag? Do you have a skimmer?

bushdoc · May 26, 2023

Yellowish tint of water usually means increased Dissolved Organic Matter.
Increase filtration by means of filter socks and removal of organic matter by protein skimmer before it disintegrate and adsorption by activated carbon is what I would recommend. Water changes should also help. If its DOM then UV sterilizer will not help much, but ozone could.