Bossman0069

No matter what I try my tank is always cloudy. I know Its overstocked but all my water parameters are perfect! Im only using a penguin power filter and performing regular weekly cleaning. The water is driving me crazy I want crystal clear water like my fish are swimming air. I cannot afford a Diatom filter nor have I ever used one. Can anyone tell me what other methods work to polish the water to sparkling clarity, That I might be able to afford. Ive heard the hot magnum has a micron filter; anyone use this?
I`ve been concidering using my pool filter because it uses diatom powder to see if that will clear things up. I will obviously have to completely clean it first and find a way to regulate the water flow rate. Help Please. Thanks Bossman.

Jay

Hi Bossman...

You have not given us much to go on the help with your problem. Read the sticky post on getting help at the top of the FW Maintenance forum and try to get back with some more information.

Just some quick thoughts...

Is the water cloudy white or green? Put some tank water in a white coffee cup. It is often difficult to tell when looking at the tank.

Cloudy water is one of four things...

A chemical reaction
Micro fines (dust) stirred up
Bacteria
Algae
Sometimes combinations.

Get back to us, with the information, so we can help.

Regards,
Jay

Bossman0069

Thanks jay; Heres what I have 29gal tank stocked with:3 clown loaches ,1 columbian shark,1 bala shark,4 giant danios,5 neon tetras,1 platy, 1 pleco and 5 guppies. Water temp is 77F ammonia is 0 nitrate is 0 nitrite is 0. 30% water changes weekly. Black sand substrate and a penguin power filter, I use my own floss filter pads in the filter with no charcoal. Also change them weekly! Upon putting the water in a white cup to examine its properties the water seems clear no noteable green or particles evident but the tank is cloudy with white tiny specks. Not itch but very small particulate stuff. I hope this helps.

clinto

i would get some carbon for sure. with that many fish you need the carbon to get rid of all that dissolved organic stuff. it usually clears up my flesh water tank in a day or two. also make sure the tank is not near a window because it will cause an algae bloom. How long has the tank been set up? How long has it been cloudy?

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75 reef side by side w/29 refugium
Maroon clown, kole tang, chromis, colon goby, yellow watchman goby, mandarin goby, firefish, hermits, snails, lots of soft coral, 9 new stony corals, sand sifter star, 8 varieties of macro in fuge. Up and running for since Feb 08.

12 gallon nano reef side by side w/3 gal picotope refugium. Percula clown, lawnmower blenny, a few softies.

Bossman0069

Thanks i`ll Try adding charcoal & see if it helps. I Frequently use water polishing pads but still never get the tank as clear as i`d like. My tank is not getting any direct sunlight from any windows only moderate room lighting and aquarium lighting ie: (1 2Ft flourecent). I`ve had the tank up and running since the end of december 07. managing to keep the water conditions at acceptable levels And happy fish. Having a black background the white particulate makes the tank look gloomy.

somerton16

[quote=Bossman0069; I`ve had the tank up and running since the end of december 08. [QUOTE]


wow you have had the tank setup in the future??? lol

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10gal fw medium gravel plastic plants, rena xp1 filter, 1 balloon black mollies, 1 clementine mollies,3 corry cat,1 pleco, 1 bamboo shrimp

Jay

Charcoal may help, if it is just micro fines. I would use a lot as it only really effective for a few days depending on the amout of particuate it needs to filter out. You might want to consider a couple of 50% back to back water changes also.

IMO it is almost impossible not to have nitrAtes in a tank with that many fish. Something wrong there.

Oh and Clinto check this out. This tank sits in a room with three walls of windows and lots of light. In fact the pic is shot thru the tank out thru the yard and onto a fairway. It has no algae problems. You do not have to have algae problems in a planted tank.


http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...aroundView.jpg


Jay

nyrmel

Ok sorry to pull this off subject but Jay I would liek the names of the plants in that tank the white featerery one on both sides and the short purplely broad leafed one in the front left side pop me a pm if you dont want to send this thread to off course but those are lovely and I would love to have some in my tank.

And for this topic I am using a whisper filter for larger tank sizes(20-40) than the 20 I have I know it have carbon and I havent had any issues with staying cloudy and when I get in there and move plants and stir things up it clears pretty quickly It was nasty cloudy sat am when I did water changes and cleaned gravel but by bedtime you couldnt tell I had done anything at all. It was fairly inexpensive I got it at walmart but petco I saw also has them (at a 50% markup)it is made by Tetra hope that helps

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NyrmelNeewbie extrodinary
luvr of things furry, finny, or the color purple
20 gallon planted few dozen mystery snails(bulldozers), 1 molly plethera of guppies Warning I can't spell to save my life, & I tend to ramble... alot Also an avid outdoor ponder with 5 koi, a dozen goldfish and 3 cats and my newest Justice the dog!