Water Clarity Issues

[LeoLionFish]

Since yesterday I have been experiencing a cloudy water issue. I know for sure it is not micro bubbles from the skimmer (already fixed that). My diatoms are starting to die off from the cycle. I did some research that it could be an algae bloom but am unsure if that is the problem. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10, pH 8.2, Cal 420. That is all my recent tests as of 30 min ago. Any ideas???

 

[Dowtish]

Are you running any carbon?

 

[LeoLionFish]

Yes. I have a media reactor (twolittlefishies) running lots of carbon. It's about 2 weeks old.

 

[Dowtish]

give it a week or so before you get freaked out. I would assume it's from the diatoms dying off and some sort of bacterial bloom. The early stages in a setup are always different, and the algae types and colors are always different. As long as your parameters are good and you are running fresh carbon I wouldnt worry too much. Do a 20 percent water change if it starts to get real cloudy, and see what it looks like in a week.

 

[LeoLionFish]

Cool thanks!! It kinda looks like sand particles floating around. Skimmer is acting normal. I will do a water change in the next day or two and see if that helps. Thanks again!

 

[New Wave]

you can try adding distilled vinegar @ 1ml/gal... it may clear things up for you... it will drop your ph a tad... but might clear up the water...

ive used it for that before... did wonders... be sure and add it in a high flow area

 

[pickupman66]

Careful with the vinegar. that is essentially dosing carbon into the system just like Vodka or useing bio pellets. That said, my fish seem to float in air as of late. I am using ecobak pellets.

 

[LeoLionFish]

Vinegar? Vodka? Not to question people's advice, but what is the science or methodology behind adding either of these? Is Grey Goose preferred? Or can I get run of the mill vodka? Hahaha. Just kidding

 

[New Wave]

Cheap vodka is fine... Both are a liquid carbon base... Vodka is the more preferred... It pulls organics from the water column by binding... Making it easier to remove... Ie settle, skimming..., filter... It does effect your ph SLIGHTLY... I dose 5ml a day for my system... Lots of people are using bio pellets in it's place now... Some people don't use either... Research "vodka dosing" ... I just said use the vinegar because it will "clear" a water column faster than vodka... And with less experience than bio pellets.

 

[LeoLionFish]

Awesome!! Thanks Mel!! I will give it a try today.

 

[gmoney243]

just pop on a HOB filter or let it settle .. of course this all depends on the reason its cloudy ... my tanks was coudy the other when i got home and with a little snooping i found one of my heater (stealth model) had melted it self and a powerhead to eachother and it cleared on its own within 12 hours

 

[MyWifesACrab]

Sorry guys vinegar and vodka ain't no good you gotta use JD

 

[LeoLionFish]

Hahaha!!! Only the best for my fish!!!