Biocube 32 water clarity

[Resendes Reef]

My tanks been running for about 6 weeks now.
I can't get the water crystal clear. I can't tell if there are micro bubbles or small white particles floating around. Anyone have any advise to get the water clear?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My tanks been running for about 6 weeks now.
I can't get the water crystal clear. I can't tell if there are micro bubbles or small white particles floating around. Anyone have any advise to get the water clear?

Hi. How did you start the cycle? are you dosing bacterias? What kind of sand did you use. What kind of rock? Also your ammonia and No Po if you've tested lately.
And a picture would be great!

 

[Resendes Reef]

Hi. How did you start the cycle? are you dosing bacterias? What kind of sand did you use. What kind of rock? Also your ammonia and No Po if you've tested lately.
And a picture would be great!

I started with live rock and sand for three weeks before adding cuc.
I haven't been dosing anything.
I brought water sample to lfs Thursday and everything was good except phosphates were slightly elevated.
The tank has never been clear. It's always had this floating in it.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Have you tried mechanical filtration like filter pads or floss? Are you running a skimmer?

 

[Resendes Reef]

Have you tried mechanical filtration like filter pads or floss? Are you running a skimmer?

I am not using a skimmer. I have a filter pad on at the top of chamber two.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I could ask a ton more questions but maybe I can make some observational suggestions to what I would do, based on the visual image. First, if I am getting this right, you have white particles floating around the tank? One would think the filter pad would filter that? Maybe change out filter pads. Sometimes they need to be change multiple times a week, anyway.
Second, I would make sure water changes are being made weekly or bi-weekly. Just to add, I would double check salt mixing instructions and make sure you aren't mixing salt to fast or too slow.
Last, check the water level in the rear chambers. Sometimes if water has a long drop and creates a splash, that can produce excess air bubbles for the return pump.

 

[michaust]

Are you just using the stock biocube filtration

 

[Resendes Reef]

I could ask a ton more questions but maybe I can make some observational suggestions to what I would do, based on the visual image. First, if I am getting this right, you have white particles floating around the tank? One would think the filter pad would filter that? Maybe change out filter pads. Sometimes they need to be change multiple times a week, anyway.
Second, I would make sure water changes are being made weekly or bi-weekly. Just to add, I would double check salt mixing instructions and make sure you aren't mixing salt to fast or too slow.
Last, check the water level in the rear chambers. Sometimes if water has a long drop and creates a splash, that can produce excess air bubbles for the return pump.

I actually cut a small piece of filter pad and put so I wouldn't have a waterfall. Water now gently falls into the second chamber. I suspect not all the particles are making it into the intake. I see a lot of them floating by without getting sucked in. I just upgraded my pump today thinking it would suck in more water. But it's only about 50gph stronger. It's the mj1200.
I get my saltwater mixed from my lfs.

 

[Resendes Reef]

Are you just using the stock biocube filtration

No. I have some live rock. A carbon bag my lfs suggested. Can't remember what it's called. And a filter pad at the very top.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I get my saltwater mixed from my lfs.

Not to pin the issue on this. However, this leaves a door open to a lot of problems. Bad RO water. Bad mixing procedure. Calcium precipitation. Possible salt brand mixing.

 

[Resendes Reef]

Not to pin the issue on this. However, this leaves a door open to a lot of problems. Bad RO water. Bad mixing procedure. Calcium precipitation. Possible salt brand mixing.

They use the same water in their tanks and all of their tanks look great.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wow. that coraline is about to blow up!

I suspect not all the particles are making it into the intake

could be. increasing the gph might not be it. wierd the floss isnt catching it too.
Was it a used tank? Have you flushed the back chamber? If there's a build up in the back it may be blowing the stuff out ot the return

 

[Resendes Reef]

Wow. that coraline is about to blow up!

So is this good or bad?


It was a new tank. There's a little bit of gunk in the first chamber but the last chamber where the water pump is, is pretty clean.

 

[recess62]

Did you rinse your sand prior to starting?

 

[Resendes Reef]

Did you rinse your sand prior to starting?

I did not.

 

[recess62]

What type of sand? How fine is it? Could it be silt floating around?

 

[Scubafrog]

I did not.

If it was live sand you don't want to rinse it.

 

[Bunnee911]

I rinse live sand. Bacteria are hardy.

 

[Chrisfish]

Hi there another simple question, did you rinse your filter floss before using? The first time I used it I did not and had lots of floating stuff in my tank, just a suggestion in case

 

[Nem4]

One other thing to check....
If you switched pumps, make sure you hold the pump vertical underwater and let all the air escape before placing in chamber three.
And check your return lines are nice and snug.