I just did a water change and shook out my chaeto, and the water looked like this. Does anyone have any ideas as to why it is brown and what is causing this?
Any idea of what is causing my water to look like this.
- Thread starter DougiesREEF
- Start date
Is the water discolored when you don't shake the chaeto? Chaeto can collect crud if the mechanical filter isn't catching enough debris/detritus.
Water being discolored can easily be remedied with carbon.
Water being discolored can easily be remedied with carbon.
@Spare time It is before I shook it. Also I am running carbon maybe I'll toss in a little more.
The water also smells bad but I have been running carbon. Unfortunately it is only in a mesh bag.
I started running it last week.
I am also using the BRS carbon with recommended dosing.
The display also looks cloudy. And its in my flow chamber between the filter floss and the filter sponge. So essentially my sump goes
Filter Floss
Spacer
Carbon
Filter sponge
Filter Floss
Spacer
Carbon
Filter sponge
Also, hard to tell in the pictures what the black dots are. Could be pieces of carbon. Did you rinse before putting in? Any other new media? Bio balls,bricks, gems etc. those things are crazy dusty and will discolor if not rinsed good.
all in one built in sump, or overflow sump beneath?
all in one built in sump, or overflow sump beneath?
Yes I rinse it. 4 months old. 0 ammonia nitrite and 5 nitrate
Had to jump on my computer to watch it. So from what I see overflow- floss carbon media balls. Refugium I’m with more media balls?, then the return.
How often are your water changes and what percentage?
For the carbon I would put it after the bio media. See if it helps. A lot of people say it just builds up with gunk and becomes a nitrate factory after time.
can try another water change increase and move the carbon. And siphon the refugium. If possible take the bio balls and and rinse them in the siphon water to knock of any gunk. If after all that it’s still not looking clearer might be time for a polish pad or chemipure.
How often are your water changes and what percentage?
For the carbon I would put it after the bio media. See if it helps. A lot of people say it just builds up with gunk and becomes a nitrate factory after time.
can try another water change increase and move the carbon. And siphon the refugium. If possible take the bio balls and and rinse them in the siphon water to knock of any gunk. If after all that it’s still not looking clearer might be time for a polish pad or chemipure.
Thank you and yeah I do 10% weekly water changes and pretty much only siphon from the refugeum. I’m gonna try putting the carbon next to the return pump and see if that helps.
When did you change the carbon last? Where is it placed?
If youre trying to identify if it’s just your carbon placement, then go big or go home.
Place your bag in the filter sock or cup for a day or two with a little floss on top- if this doesn’t clear it up, then you can assume something else is going on.
Place your bag in the filter sock or cup for a day or two with a little floss on top- if this doesn’t clear it up, then you can assume something else is going on.
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