Cloudy new tank

[Thom24]

new To the hobby with a 75 gal Red Sea. Marco dry rock, 2 AI prime lights. Introduced 2 clowns as my first fish 2 weeks ago and they seem very happy. My issue is 6 days ago a haze was appearing in the water which had a green hue, ( made mistake of a 12 hour photo period for about 5 days) did 10% water change, added phos bag to sump, kept lights off for 4 days and cleared nicely....Turned lights on for 6 hours , next day water is getting hazy again!.... new tank syndrome?... any thoughts are greatly appreciated

 

[James M]

Your going to get algae regardless. So I would leave the lights on and let the tank do it’s things

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Might be a bacterial bloom in the water itself, in which case a UV filter would help alleviate.

 

[BestMomEver]

Try some Vibrant. It’ll help. But it should clear on its own after a while.

Oh... welcome to the reef (if I haven’t already welcomed you!)!

 

[Thom24]

Thanks all, you’ve been much help since I joined

 

[nereefpat]

Did you ever cycle the tank?

 

[Thom24]

I used “start up” capsules so in 48 hours you add fish. Was very Leary using and I was thinking it didn’t establish a solid bacteria bed....great question

 

[lapin]

You have a new tank. The start up capsules help get things going but it will take months before your tank becomes stable. It will turn brown, green and maybe even red . I would not add anything for another 2 to 4 weeks. No livestock, no chemicals. Just do 10% water changes and your tank will be fine. You can reduce your lighting time to reduce the green water, but it will pass in time anyway.
Like a garden, things will grow that you did not plant.

 

[Bxr126]

Sounds like a bacterial bloom. Ride it out. Everything will be fine.

 

[nereefpat]

I used “start up” capsules so in 48 hours you add fish. Was very Leary using and I was thinking it didn’t establish a solid bacteria bed....great question

Make sure you are measuring ammonia.

I agree that the cloudiness will probably pass as the tank matures.

 

[Thom24]

Thanks all I would rather ride it out instead of adding any chemicals and keep my clowns ... will follow your directions

 

[Thom24]

....keep my clowns happy

 

[Thom24]

Btw, ammonia/ nitrates all at 0

 

[brandon429]

how has the new sandbed if any been ruled out as the cause
if you reach in a corner and grab a little sand and drop test, does it cloud bigtime


ive collected five xamples lately of this phenom...non rinsing the new start sand/storms of silt etc

 

[Thom24]

Interesting, I started with 40 lbs live sand....was clear for the first week so can I assume it’s fine?

 

[brandon429]

prob so, the ones we collected never settled down at all. biofilms are likely holding down the sand by now maybe. pre rinsing isn't required, its just ideal. some systems that have the flow aimed at the sand stay cloudy, but you had a good period so I bet its not that

post full tank shot real quick if poss

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R

Did you use dry substrate and rinse it real good before putting it in the tank? How long has the system been up and running? Thanks.

 

[Thom24]

Apologize for the delay, appreciate all the advice. Substrate was live sand, will try to upload a pic next couple days. FYI phosphate readings are close to 0, at this point everything seems to point toward cycling I guess?

 

[Thom24]

Btw... love the quote quint!