I have a pretty cloudy tank right now. I tried using Seachem's clear and it really kinda made it worse. They say its normal though then it goes away. I did a partial water change and that didn't do much. I do not have a protein skimmer right now, could that be the issue?

I have two Lifeguard FB300's and a Eheim Pro Series filter with wave maker/powerhead.

My tank is a 125G, and this should be good for the filtration. Will a Skimmer help?

need to figure out whats going on, a skimmer may help ALSO afilter sock would also help as well... whats the total system look like?

it's white cloudy, so I know it's not an algae bloom. I thought it was just particles at first but it's not. I may have to go buy a Skimmer tomorrow.

Is it a new setup?

kinda of...going on 2 months.

eh... I was meaning like sandstorm cloudy. Doesnt seem to be the issue though..

would a skimmer help or should I buy another filter?

Is it kinda milkey?

Adding anything lately?]

Could be a Bacteria bloom, calcium precip. and other things.. Really need more of the story to get a good idea..

did you do a water change before it appeared or did it just appear? and what kind of salt mix are you using? I'd get some filter floss or something of the like to remove the big particles.

And the only time i had ever had the happen is when I mixed salt right before the water change and that was only when I used Instant Oceans Salt Mix, not the reef crystals.. should go away on its own but may take a really long time.

kinda milky-but could be due to the seachem stuff too. It was getting cloudy before. I did just add two new fish, and it might have happened right around then. Not sure.

I'd get a skimmer if it were me, but don't look for that to fix your issue. Fish poo doesn't make water cloudy. Have you tested the water? Are you dosing anything?

not dosing. water is fine...

Fine meaning....? Mostly interested in Ca numbers.

Do you have macroalgae? I'd see that once in a while when I did... someone explained that it was just the big plants "doin' their thang"...

While skimmers are always good on a system, it isn't likely to fix this issue. You use tap water? If so, With recent rains it could still be a bacteria bloom.

I'd just add Seachem Clarify per bottle instructions unless this is a regular occurance, then you should investigate the cause.

I had water get cloudy after i moved from one tank to another. It seemed to be a bacteria bloom. I doses some sea chem stable and ran a polly filter to help clear it up. If you have a bacteria bloom it's important to have lots of flow to keep things full of O2.

But yeah, get a skimmer.

I did use Clarity, and it is still cloudy. Should I dose it again? Does that stuff hurt fish/sharks?

I did add PH Buffer the same time I did my water change. I also used tap water and mixed in Tap Water Purifier, plus salt mix. That was when I did a water change to try and fix the water.

Before making any changes or adding anything I think you need to try and figure out what kind of cloudiness you are dealing with. If you test your water or take it to an LFS and ask them to test it for you that will at least give you a baseline and let you know if your fish are safe in the water as it is. If you pulled out a large glass container of water does it still look cloudy, does it clear immediately or over time? That would tell you if you have something suspended in the water or if it is just micro-bubbles or detritus.

We've had A LOT of rain lately where I live.

I used to use tap water (would still, but I moved and the quality of water is so poor, I sometimes don't want to bathe in it) and know that after a heavy rain, water quality goes down hill.

Clarity can be used as often as you want, (just remember that it gums up your filter media, so change it out after several dosings). Re-dosing wont hurt. It's a simple flocculant so would be safe for any system....

Before making any changes or adding anything I think you need to try and figure out what kind of cloudiness you are dealing with. If you test your water or take it to an LFS and ask them to test it for you that will at least give you a baseline and let you know if your fish are safe in the water as it is. If you pulled out a large glass container of water does it still look cloudy, does it clear immediately or over time? That would tell you if you have something suspended in the water or if it is just micro-bubbles or detritus.


exactly!

Do you have young kids???? Just exploring avenues :)

LOL No No kids. :thumbs:

:)

First off add a sump before a skimmer. Then you can get a skimmer that will actually be able to work on a tank that size. Can you list all of your params (not just "they are fine") and list what livestock is in the tank?

First off add a sump before a skimmer. Then you can get a skimmer that will actually be able to work on a tank that size. Can you list all of your params (not just "they are fine") and list what livestock is in the tank?

Good catch, Charlie... I assumed there was a sump in place. Obviously I missed somethin'!

Maybe those filters leaching something. Bring some water to the meeting and announce that you need it tested please. I know someone will be happy to bring one and help ya out with a second opinion

How often and how much of a water change do you do ?

20% water change sometimes weekly, if not every other week. I'll get it tested soon asap. I should probably replace the carbon in the filter as well. That would probably help.

Could be like mine i was doing to many water changes and even though it was done cycling i was taking to much bacteria out and it needed tobe replinished so i left it alone for about two weeks for the wqter change and only did about 5% change and it is mich clearer now

We will need an accurate water test before we can diagnose. Also what are the inhabitants?

What are you running in the fluidized bed filters and in that Eheim canister filter?

Eheim-carbon, and another filler(rock looking)
FB300's the recommended Lifeguard filler

fish- smaller cali horn, miniatus grouper, blue line grouper, green bird wrasse. all of which will go into my pond as soon as I get it.

Might try some more of the SuperBac Nitrifying bacteria. That is awesome. Should help speed up a little.

Pond?

Yea I'm gonna do a indoor pond as soon as I can get a truck to get the pond. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Is the possible bacteria bloom caused by the nitrifying bacteria not being able to keep up with the bio load?

Its very possible. Again a water test will tell you a lot and you can then diagnose better.

I bought a super skimmer 125 today. I needed a skimmer either way, and it seems to be helping a little. The top box keeps filling up with nasty water, so I am assuming that it is taking care of bus. pretty good.

I bought a super skimmer 125 today. I needed a skimmer either way, and it seems to be helping a little. The top box keeps filling up with nasty water, so I am assuming that it is taking care of bus. pretty good.

I really hope you aren't running it hob! Those are notorious for overflowing and flooding places. They hate water level changes. Also if you are pulling alot of stuff out of the skimmer cup you need to keep an eye on salinity.

Salinity? why would it affect the salt levels? It's brown water, so I assume that is good. I am running it while I am here. When I leave in the morning, I will turn it down.

Salinity? why would it affect the salt levels? It's brown water, so I assume that is good. I am running it while I am here. When I leave in the morning, I will turn it down.

Well if it's on a salt water tank then it's pulling out salt water. So you are going to slowly lower your salinity.

oh yea over time sure...I thought that you meant like with in a few hours or so...

Good news is the skimmer has been running all day with me here and my water is getting more clear and more clear. Just before I got in bed I could see pretty good, so I am sure after letting it run another few days and I'll be in great shape. Thanks for all the replies...

I was never told to use any chemical to make your water clear. But yeah most of those chemicals will make your water more cloudy then theoretically make is clearer.

What are you using for your carbon in your tank?
I think a protein skimmer will be a good investment, because it is useful in many purposes.
Do you already have fish in the system? Over feeding?