:huh?:
Hi guys-
I've been away on vacation and when I came back surprise- my tank was very cloudy. Fish are healthy and happy and all tank parameters are good, no ammonia, no nitrites and trace of nitrates w/in safe limits. Tank temp is 80 F,
55g w/ two 5-6" angels (w/fins, one's a veil) 5 2.5" jumbo danios, and two waterfall shrimp. I've had what I think are diatoms (brown stuff covering the glass and fake plants- no live yet), and the tank was a tiny bit cloudy when we left ten days ago, but it's pretty bad now.
I've read past posts that talk about bacterial blooms, and that you can't do anything to just wait it out, and green water that recommendss covering the tank to eliminate light and adding wool (what is this) to the filter.
For maintenance I change ten percent of the water and one of the standard twin filter cartridges every other week while rinsing the other in tank water. I've been adding bacteria with water changes per directions. The fish are fed on the light side (I think) 27 flakes 2X day Tetramin tropical crisps- the petsitter is very good, we've used her for years and she's pretty religious about keeping the routines.
I do leave the light on for about twelve hours a day- is this too much? The tanks in the basement, so it doesn't get a huge amount of natural light.
The water doesn't look particularly green, maybe a slight greenish tint, but interestingly the "diatoms" or whatever seem to be clearing up a bit. Anyone have any suggestions?
As always, thanks-

Wool/filter floss is similar to pillow badding/stuffing/polyfill. Just buy untreated stuff, no anti mildew. Reduce lighting and what are your safe nitrate levels?

Under 20 ppm. I'm due for a water change on wed. so that's normal for this tank. Do I just buy the wool at a craft store? How do I know it hasn't been treated with something that will hurt my fish? Do I just insert it in front of the regular cartridge? Will this help with either problem?
Thanks-

Walmart sells bags or "fluff" cheap and they have to state whether or not they are mildew resistant. 20ppm is perfectly fine and nitrates are not your issue, could be light or phosphorus.

Thanks-
do I put it right in with the regular cartridges? I'm cutting the light back to 6 hours per day- is that enough?

Where would phosphorus come from and is it harmful?

Phosphorus could be in your water, it is rather unlikely to be in a harmful amount.

Just re-engineer a cartridge to hold the badding.

I'll try it with my water change tomorrow and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the advice.