PDA

View Full Version : Cloudy Water Change?


bobbravo2
05/24/2014, 06:12 PM
Ok - I'm preparing for my 1st water change, and I've got 4 gallons of RO/DI water mixed and ready. Only theres 1 (big) problem - it's all cloudy.

Salt: Tropic Marin
SG: 1.025
Temp: 80º

Specifics: Mixed it up yesterday, had a powerhead agitating (& aerating) the water for 24 hours with a heater. This afternoon, there was precipitate on the bottom of the mix tank, so I turned the pump back on, figuring it was no big deal & would clear up quick. Now, it's all cloudy, like this:
http://myct2.s3.amazonaws.com/reef/cloudy-wc1.jpg

bobbravo2
05/24/2014, 07:04 PM
Just called an audible. Dumped it. Going to try another batch with a fresh tub of Tropic Marin Bio Activ. I knew I got it at the LFS today for a reason :)

ReeferBill
05/24/2014, 07:21 PM
Did you add 5 gallons amt of salt to only 4 gallons of RO?

bobbravo2
05/24/2014, 07:23 PM
Did you add 5 gallons amt of salt to only 4 gallons of RO?

Added 4x 1/2 cups, then used the refractometer, it was 1.015, so I added +1/2 cup more salt.

PS - the cloudy water did test 1.026 at one point, added .5 gallons RO/DI to bring it back down. Was that the cause?

bobbravo2
05/24/2014, 07:38 PM
Update. Tropic Marin Bio-Activ - crystal clear (so-far)

bobbravo2
05/24/2014, 08:44 PM
Is Bio-Activ known for being more "salty" than regular Tropic Marin?

The reason I ask, is that I only add 4x1/2 cups, and it was 1.028, where the regular was lower. Hmm...

chris.scang
05/25/2014, 05:32 AM
Did you add the salt all at once? It is better to add the salt slowly and let it dissolve before adding more. If you add it all at once you can get a precipitate.

bobbravo2
05/25/2014, 07:13 AM
That could have been it. I did add it pretty quickly