Hello - I have a small 10g tank with six celestial pearl danios, three rosy loaches and one rili shrimp (we bought three, one died before arrival, and the other passed a couple of weeks ago we think of old age as she was fully grown when purchased).
The tank was cycled and then the animals have lived there for six months, they all appear happy. No issues except I think a normal amount of algae, and more recently noticing more biofilm buildup that I remove. The animals are fed every other day, a tiny amount of mini sinking pellets and one or half of a mini algae wafer. Some peas once a week as a treat. I do a 20-25% water change once a week with a general small tidy up of the tank.
The substrate is inert fine gravel. When we planted the tank before the fish arrived we used root tabs, and seeing as it had been six months since we did this I added some a couple of days ago. I used SwellUK Planted Aquarium Root Tabs. The plants grow ok but thought they could do with a boost, particularly dwarf hair grass I have struggled to grow.
This morning I turned the tank light on and noticed a thicker than usual layer of biofilm at the top, and a slight cloud to the water, that looked like the bacterial bloom we had when first setting up the tank. I removed the biofilm, then rinsed out the filter (Super Fish hang on filter 50) in some tank water. I also turned up the flow of the filter as I saw that bacterial blooms can reduce oxygen in the tank. Some large bubbles have been coming up from the substrate.
I haven't yet replaced the filter media since we got it as I've been nervous to as I know it's full of good bacteria. I have left the tank lights off, though the tank is in a naturally bright room.
I did strip tests this morning - 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 20ppm nitrate, PH and hardness at consistent levels
It's early afternoon now and I believe the water is getting cloudier.
my questions are
* is this water dangerous?
* do I need to make a (large) water change?
*do I need to fish out the root tabs? I can't remember exactly where I put them and well... our plants have generally proven themselves quite loose in the substrate and can be kicked up very easily... so I'd rather avoid it but will do anything for the little guys
thanks
bad photo attached of the tank at 2pm with everyone hiding because I'd just knelt down next to it
(edited for spelling mistake)