Water Clarity

[jackalexander]

I want to get nearly purely clear water but it’s too hard with just the filter pad and bag of carbon I’m running in my media basket. Any thoughts on the best filtration? I was thinking seachem purigen, filter floss, carbon and a mini refugium but I’m not too sure.

 

[Phil D.]

What kind of tank do you have?

 

[jackalexander]

What kind of tank do you have?

biocube 32

 

[Phil D.]

Polyfilter, does wonders

 

[jackalexander]

Polyfilter, does wonders

should I remove the biocube filter pad (just carbon) and put the polyfilter on the top of the media basket?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Are you trying to removing particulates or yellowing?

Ozone is the one thing that creates water that seems transparent, more than any other method. That said, it is not without its own issues relating to controlling it, etc.

 

[jackalexander]

Are you trying to removing particulates or yellowing?

Ozone is the one thing that creates water that seems transparent, more than any other method. That said, it is not without its own issues relating to controlling it, etc.

I have small particulates and that’s about it, the bag of carbon keeps the water from being yellow and that’s pretty much it.

 

[Phil D.]

Leave the carbon pad and cut the polyfilter to fit the top of the basket, it will take out particulates and organics

 

[jackalexander]

Leave the carbon pad and cut the polyfilter to fit the top of the basket, it will take out particulates and organics

okay cool! thank you for the help!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have small particulates and that’s about it, the bag of carbon keeps the water from being yellow and that’s pretty much it.

While I'm not pushing ozone, folks who start it after using GAC find the water is much more transparent. It is a striking effect that is often noticed by spouses even if the reefer doesn't mention any change.

I documented the effect in my tank and the difference was apparent even though i was using GAC:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/rhf/index.php

Figure 1. Two digital photographs of a plastic bar taken through four feet of aquarium water. The bar on the left was taken before using ozone, and the bar on the right was taken after two weeks on ozone. The numbers were written onto the bar with marking pens. All camera settings were identical.

 

[blasterman]

Yeah...ozone is amazing for nuking DOCs. If you have it tweaked right you only need to run it a few hours a night as well.

For particulates in water regular old filter floss is the boss.

 

[anthonygf]

For occasional polishing of water I use a small powerhead with a polishing filter attached to it. Put it in at night and remove it in the morning, water will be crystal clear. I use it when I clean my rocks and sand, wonderful tool.

 

[jackalexander]

For occasional polishing of water I use a small powerhead with a polishing filter attached to it. Put it in at night and remove it in the morning, water will be crystal clear. I use it when I clean my rocks and sand, wonderful tool.

I’ll look into it, thank you!

 

[jackalexander]

For occasional polishing of water I use a small powerhead with a polishing filter attached to it. Put it in at night and remove it in the morning, water will be crystal clear. I use it when I clean my rocks and sand, wonderful tool.

One question, do you have an Aqua Clear powerhead? It says that it’s an attachment, I have an AI nero 3..

 

[spacedcowboy]

I use filter socks and a UV filter. My father said it looked as though the fish were floating in air, the Water is so crystal clear.

I do a lot of water changes too, the system changes 1 Gallon every two hours on a 400G water volume, but it was only the recent re-enabling of the UV filter that really polished the water quality.

 

[anthonygf]

One question, do you have an Aqua Clear powerhead? It says that it’s an attachment, I have an AI nero 3..

Nero 3 will not work. The powerhead is the type used for undergravel filter. Aqua Clear would be best.

AquaClear Powerhead 20 - 110 V, 127 Gallons per Hour $20 on Amazon​

 

[anthonygf]

I use filter socks and a UV filter. My father said it looked as though the fish were floating in air, the Water is so crystal clear.

I do a lot of water changes too, the system changes 1 Gallon every two hours on a 400G water volume, but it was only the recent re-enabling of the UV filter that really polished the water quality.

The UV is good for bacterial blooms, But for small particulates in water a mechanical filter is best. I also use both, but UV only when main lights are off or overnight. UV light can heat the water too much sometimes.

 

[anthonygf]

One question, do you have an Aqua Clear powerhead? It says that it’s an attachment, I have an AI nero 3..

The filter is $9 and the powerhead it is attached too is $20. Good investment. The filter element can be cleaned and is replaceable. I use a bigger powerhead for my 75 gallon.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I want to get nearly purely clear water but it’s too hard with just the filter pad and bag of carbon I’m running in my media basket. Any thoughts on the best filtration? I was thinking seachem purigen, filter floss, carbon and a mini refugium but I’m not too sure.

Filter floss and carbon.

 

[jackalexander]

Filter floss and carbon.

I got filter floss about a week ago and it really makes a difference