New Tank is cloudy

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 08:39 AM

I set up my new 340 and the tank wont clear up 100%. Any suggestions?

I have a micronbag on the overflow to the sump and that is helping alittle.

The particulates in the watercolumn just never seem to end.

Tang Salad · 07/02/2008, 08:54 AM

Is your skimmer running?

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 08:56 AM

yes.. i am skimming a little wet right now.
ozone is not on as I need a new unit.

SHOmuchFUN · 07/02/2008, 09:03 AM

You have any liverock in the tank? The live bacteria from the live rock helps take particulate out of the water column.

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 09:08 AM

There is 300# of live rock (from my old 260) in the tank.
The problem is that there is a large open expanse in the middle of the water column.

SHOmuchFUN · 07/02/2008, 09:10 AM

What are you running for water movement? Any way you can adjust the flow so that it's not stirring up the sand?

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 09:17 AM

Right now there is only the 2 return from the overflow. They are pointed at the surface... Nothing is stiring up the sand. Let me get a pic so everyone can see.

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 09:25 AM

Full tank shot. My other 2 PFO 400w MH will be here tomorrow.

Right side where the overflow is. You can see that the returns are pointed towards the surface.

Left side of the tank. There is no excessive water movement there, but the water is still cloudy

This is my 12" sohal about 3" off the acrylic front panel

Another pic of the right side of the tank. See the cloudy water

Gdevine · 07/02/2008, 09:32 AM

Run a strong UV for a few days or so; usually does the trick. I'd bet your LFS would lend you one.

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 09:33 AM

how strong is strong I have a 25 watt, but not sure how good that would do on a tank this size.

Michael · 07/02/2008, 09:34 AM

the tank is only a week old, it will take a while to settle, i cant see the problem to be honest, lots of new water and sand plus the rock etc, the skimmer going full whack, bound to take a few more days to start clearing, because you have 25 years experience i havent asked the obvious questions, just wait a couple more days

LOTUS50GOD · 07/02/2008, 09:38 AM

Didnt have this problem with my 120 or my 260... just seems kinda wierd that the tank wont clear up. Water has been in the tank since the 15th. It was clear then. I moved the rock from my old 260 on the 26th.

Michael · 07/02/2008, 09:46 AM

i had it on a freshwater tank once and it was because i took too much of the old water out and replaced it with new, the stability of the tank reduced and i mini cycled, my water was milky for a couple of weeks, i think you have a similar situation, since the rock has gone in the stability has altered slightly and the newness of the tank means you could be mini cycling, its 1 of those wait it out things, if you leave it ill bet it improves quicker than if you keep changing water etc, the test kits say all is ok so if it were me id just wait it out for another 2-3 days to see if it improves, then if not id think again

Gdevine · 07/02/2008, 10:09 AM

It's probably just a mini-cycle. Run the UV and give it some time. It's hard to tell what's causing the cloudiness unless you had a microscope.

Discounting the obvious it could be a light water born algae bloom.

Run a UV for a while, it won't hurt a thing and will help to clear up the water...they always do.

07/02/2008, 08:39 AM	#1
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	New Tank is cloudy I set up my new 340 and the tank wont clear up 100%. Any suggestions? I have a micronbag on the overflow to the sump and that is helping alittle. The particulates in the watercolumn just never seem to end. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 08:54 AM	#2
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Is your skimmer running? __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

07/02/2008, 08:56 AM	#3
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	yes.. i am skimming a little wet right now. ozone is not on as I need a new unit. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:03 AM	#4
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	You have any liverock in the tank? The live bacteria from the live rock helps take particulate out of the water column. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

07/02/2008, 09:08 AM	#5
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	There is 300# of live rock (from my old 260) in the tank. The problem is that there is a large open expanse in the middle of the water column. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:10 AM	#6
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	What are you running for water movement? Any way you can adjust the flow so that it's not stirring up the sand? __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

07/02/2008, 09:17 AM	#7
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Right now there is only the 2 return from the overflow. They are pointed at the surface... Nothing is stiring up the sand. Let me get a pic so everyone can see. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:25 AM	#8
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Full tank shot. My other 2 PFO 400w MH will be here tomorrow. Right side where the overflow is. You can see that the returns are pointed towards the surface. Left side of the tank. There is no excessive water movement there, but the water is still cloudy This is my 12" sohal about 3" off the acrylic front panel Another pic of the right side of the tank. See the cloudy water __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:32 AM	#9
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	Run a strong UV for a few days or so; usually does the trick. I'd bet your LFS would lend you one. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method

07/02/2008, 09:33 AM	#10
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	how strong is strong I have a 25 watt, but not sure how good that would do on a tank this size. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:34 AM	#11
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	the tank is only a week old, it will take a while to settle, i cant see the problem to be honest, lots of new water and sand plus the rock etc, the skimmer going full whack, bound to take a few more days to start clearing, because you have 25 years experience i havent asked the obvious questions, just wait a couple more days __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

07/02/2008, 09:38 AM	#12
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Didnt have this problem with my 120 or my 260... just seems kinda wierd that the tank wont clear up. Water has been in the tank since the 15th. It was clear then. I moved the rock from my old 260 on the 26th. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

07/02/2008, 09:46 AM	#13
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i had it on a freshwater tank once and it was because i took too much of the old water out and replaced it with new, the stability of the tank reduced and i mini cycled, my water was milky for a couple of weeks, i think you have a similar situation, since the rock has gone in the stability has altered slightly and the newness of the tank means you could be mini cycling, its 1 of those wait it out things, if you leave it ill bet it improves quicker than if you keep changing water etc, the test kits say all is ok so if it were me id just wait it out for another 2-3 days to see if it improves, then if not id think again __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

07/02/2008, 10:09 AM	#14
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	It's probably just a mini-cycle. Run the UV and give it some time. It's hard to tell what's causing the cloudiness unless you had a microscope. Discounting the obvious it could be a light water born algae bloom. Run a UV for a while, it won't hurt a thing and will help to clear up the water...they always do. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method