cloudiness

[DS5000]

several wks now running fallow after all my fish died from bacterial infection. My soft/lps corals are doing well, and my tank is about 5 months old.
Running rox carbon, skimmer, and floss.

Yesterday noticed cloudiness to tank, that persists into today.

pH 8.2
alk 7.1
cal 420
Mg 1280
phos 0.0
nitrates 0.0

id like my alk phos at 9.0
trying to get my nitrates, phos up with ghost feeding.

is this a bacterial bloom?
some sort of precipitation?

thx!

 

[Defclone80]

If its a bacterial bloom a uv sterilizer should help.

 

[MohrReefs]

Looks like a bacterial bloom to me. Could be outcompeting the nitrifying bacteria now that there's no fish.

 

[Defclone80]

I had Caulerpa Racemosa go sexual in my refugium which caused a bacterial bloom. Made my tank look cloudy like that. I did a 50% water change and installed a uv sterilizer. The cloudiness was going on 48 hours.

 

[DS5000]

thx everyone

besides the UV - not sure if i can fit it in my RS 170, but ill see,

Any other treatment recommendations?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not everyone can afford a UV unit. try adding a large pouch of chemiPure Blue to polish water and also a cheap power filter (even one from walmart -$20) to polish water and entrap particulates in tank.
Reduce white light intensity for about 3 days.

Are you using RODI water or tap from faucet?
Is tank at or near a window?

Your alk is slightly low ( should be 8-9 )

 

[DS5000]

using RODI, not near window.

 

[DS5000]

since I am running fallow for a bit, is there anything besides an UV, that could help balance out my bacteria populations? I ghost feed, but is that enough?

Should I dose with macrobacteria to help outcompete the 'bad' bacteria?

 

[ScottB]

since I am running fallow for a bit, is there anything besides an UV, that could help balance out my bacteria populations? I ghost feed, but is that enough?

Should I dose with macrobacteria to help outcompete the 'bad' bacteria?

A little MB7 wouldn't hurt.

Make sure the water remains oxygenated as a bloom removes a lot of O2. Skimmer, turbulence at top of water, etc.