Help please

[heelanjeffrey85]

Hey guys . I'm in desperate need. I woke up a couple days ago and my tank was really cloudy it has a yellow tint to it I almost can't see my Coral or my fish I've tried using search em clarity and it's not working I did two major water changes and it hasn't gone away it's only gotten worse I'm afraid I'm going to lose everything I thought maybe this was a bacterial bloom but I have no clue because I'm still so new to this it's 180 gallon tank dual overflow. I tested all my water perimeters like a madman the past 4 days in a row. Ammonia is at 0.001. pH 8. 23. Salinity 1.35. alkalinity nitrates 0.051 nitrate 0.12. calcium is at 480. Magnesium is at 1350. I thought maybe it was my chems. But I'm completely speechless and baffled any help please.

 

[Uncle99]

not much in the terms of bio filter that I can see and looks close to sunlight.

I see no sand (which has a ton of surface area) and maybe no rock in display? Idk, blurry on pic.

Maybe UV and carbon to clean that up?

Stop outside light, it’s not helpful at all, just the tank lights.

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

So I don't have sunlight on it the blinds are closed the waters coming out yellow with my LEDs on white and blue. I'm so baffled right now I have bio balls and some Eric balls and my sump

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

I mean some Eric balls and the plastic bio balls

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

Cermoeric #. Dam voice to text

 

[Uncle99]

If filtration is in order, just run some activated carbon, it should remove the yellowing….

 

[Tavero]

So I don't have sunlight on it the blinds are closed the waters coming out yellow with my LEDs on white and blue. I'm so baffled right now I have bio balls and some Eric balls and my sump

Looks like a phyto algae or bacteria bloom. These can happen suddenly without warning.

Water change won't do much. It will be as cloudy as before just after a few hours (in case of bacteria). The biggest danger is depleting oxygen. The fastest remedy for that is H2O2 dosing. But to be sure it wont get cloudy again a UV system is recommended for a few days.

Carbon won't do anything.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey guys . I'm in desperate need. I woke up a couple days ago and my tank was really cloudy it has a yellow tint to it I almost can't see my Coral or my fish I've tried using search em clarity and it's not working I did two major water changes and it hasn't gone away it's only gotten worse I'm afraid I'm going to lose everything I thought maybe this was a bacterial bloom but I have no clue because I'm still so new to this it's 180 gallon tank dual overflow. I tested all my water perimeters like a madman the past 4 days in a row. Ammonia is at 0.001. pH 8. 23. Salinity 1.35. alkalinity nitrates 0.051 nitrate 0.12. calcium is at 480. Magnesium is at 1350. I thought maybe it was my chems. But I'm completely speechless and baffled any help please.

Yellow tint suggests an algae bloom and one that intensifies when the tank is at or near a window and increased with UV from such location. Main causes generally are:
Water: Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?

Additional light: Is this tank by chance at or near a window?

Phosphate: How are you testing phosphate? Normally with this level of algae, you will have a level of phosphate that is elevated- Not zero

Filtration : I can assume you have a Non-reef ready tank and are using basic filtration with use of power filter? The issue with using power filter is that it is your primary source of filtration which is mechanical and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to mange proper water quality. The power filter will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished carbon and GFO
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces.
You are lacking some forms of necessary filtration. A hang on back refugium, even a hang on skimmer such as Ice cap K1or K2 series will work flawlessly and help with overall waste removal.

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

Okay so the window is by the tank. But the sun rises on the other end of the house and sets on the other end east to west. So bearly any sun but I'm keeping blinds closed now . I do not have a phosphate tester I'm going to get one today and I'll post what the levels are.
For filtration I'm running a eShop sump one of their old original ones it's around 42 gallons I think but that's filled all the way so roughly I think 38 gallons is in it.
Two filter socks. A bunch of Bio balls in the second chamber I have a reactor with carbon and the stones the zeolite. Next to it I have a k200 skimmer from Coral view. Then there's the sheet for the filter flossing pad. I don't have much room for refrigerator because the skimmer is so massive and the reactor. I'll take a picture here shortly I just woke up and my cat missed the litter box and has diarrhea so my morning has become eventful. I did a 45 gallon water change on the 240 gallon setup yesterday and it didn't do anything.

I have a r o d i system that's old but when new filters from both reefing supply it's the old two little fishes set up. Last night I was able to produce about 95 gallons of water. I put it into another 50 gallon tank that I have so I can make more water. I was going to attempt to do a massive water change do you think that'll help

 

[Tavero]

Okay so the window is by the tank. But the sun rises on the other end of the house and sets on the other end east to west. So bearly any sun but I'm keeping blinds closed now . I do not have a phosphate tester I'm going to get one today and I'll post what the levels are.
For filtration I'm running a eShop sump one of their old original ones it's around 42 gallons I think but that's filled all the way so roughly I think 38 gallons is in it.
Two filter socks. A bunch of Bio balls in the second chamber I have a reactor with carbon and the stones the zeolite. Next to it I have a k200 skimmer from Coral view. Then there's the sheet for the filter flossing pad. I don't have much room for refrigerator because the skimmer is so massive and the reactor. I'll take a picture here shortly I just woke up and my cat missed the litter box and has diarrhea so my morning has become eventful. I did a 45 gallon water change on the 240 gallon setup yesterday and it didn't do anything.

I have a r o d i system that's old but when new filters from both reefing supply it's the old two little fishes set up. Last night I was able to produce about 95 gallons of water. I put it into another 50 gallon tank that I have so I can make more water. I was going to attempt to do a massive water change do you think that'll help

Yes as I wrote, a water change won't do anything. All your filtration won't help either.
Forget about the window. As long as the tank doesn't get direct sunlight through the whole day it is irrelevant.

Phosphate is interesting but won't tell us the whole picture. Do you have images from your tank before the phytoplankton bloom? Are you feeding any phytoplankton products?

In my opinion the easiest and safest way to get rid of it would be a UV light. Considering you own a large 240g tank you should have one available for emergencies in the future anyway.

H2O2 would be an instant remedy but as long as the fish aren't gasping for air it isn't necessary.

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

No I never knew about the UV light I just ordered one. It should be here tomorrow. I'm sorry if I'm not making much sense I'm just freaking out I'm loading a photo now of what it was before it happened. It was called Florida Labs that had the plankton . I dosed it in about 5 weeks ago.

 

[heelanjeffrey85]

I just want to say thank you to all of you. I purchased a UV light ,and it worked! No more cloudy water. This is the best the tank has ever looked. Thank you guys for all your input. I'm forever grateful!

 

[Tavero]

I just want to say thank you to all of you. I purchased a UV light ,and it worked! No more cloudy water. This is the best the tank has ever looked. Thank you guys for all your input. I'm forever grateful!

Your welcome. Some reefers leave UV on all the time to prevent ich outbreaks or similar. Others, me included, only use it for a few days during emergencies. Your choice.