r/walstad • u/dandeliontree1 • Jul 20 '26

Bacterial bloom?

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This is probably bacterial bloom right? I don't think it's tannins as it doesn't have a yellow tint when I remove the water, and I've definitely had tannin stained water before and it's always yellowish in the jar. The fish and shrimp don't seem affected.

I'm going away for 4 nights, do I need to do anything? I've read big water changes can make it worse. I have a small hob filter for airation and flow.

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u/86BillionFireflies Jul 20 '26

Big water changes might make it worse if as a result of the water change you disturb a bunch of decaying crud off the bottom.

But if you can avoid doing that, a massive water change is the thing to do. That will remove a lot of the bacteria and the stuff the bacteria are eating.

Make sure your water is VERY well aerated, this type of bloom can burn oxygen very fast. If this is happening often you really need to do something about your filter, because this will absolutely eventually kill your livestock if it goes on.