Cloudy tank coming from Ro/DI
- Thread starter SteveO83
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Retro Reefer
Slow and steady wins the race!
You will need to provide a lot more details for people to help.. I would say most likely your cloudy water is not caused by RO/DI but probably a bacterial bloom.
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SteveO83
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Tanks been up and running since end of may/beginning of sept. It dtarted becoming cloudy wed night. Trites are 0, amm is 0. Trates are less than 5. No skimmer. Any other info needed? Reason I asked about the ro is its kept in the wash room which isnt cooled by ac
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SteveO83
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SteveO83
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And just checked it again. It is 0 from ro/di and 121 from tap
Well its working like it should then. But organics can still get through an ro membrane and bacteria will eat it and fog your tank. If you want to be sure its not the ro, go buy some distilled water for and use that for a few days. Then youll know.
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SteveO83
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So theres nothing I can do, but wait for it to clear as Im reading/researching
Theres lots you can do if you want to know what and why but it means spending money usually. If not nothing to do really. Get a power filter to clear up the fog. Use an aggressive skimmer. Use a uv light. Test your ro device by using distilled water instead.
NS Mike D
In the arena.
I am a fan of running activated carbon in a reactor, for no other reason than for just in case insurance. It does clear water by removing organics. Be aware that it will also remove trace elements so follow manufacturer instructions to avoid over use
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SteveO83
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I have some carbon running in the back section of the tank. But not in a reactor
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
If it's green, it's algae bloom. If its white, bacterial bloom.
As others have stated, use of a UV unit will correct both.
The thing I'm seeing is your tank has little rock in it. I would add some, after it's curred to help with you bioload capacity.
As others have stated, use of a UV unit will correct both.
The thing I'm seeing is your tank has little rock in it. I would add some, after it's curred to help with you bioload capacity.
Retro Reefer
Slow and steady wins the race!
Tanks been up and running since end of may/beginning of sept. It dtarted becoming cloudy wed night. Trites are 0, amm is 0. Trates are less than 5. No skimmer. Any other info needed? Reason I asked about the ro is its kept in the wash room which isnt cooled by ac
It’s not your RO.. that’s bacterial and should clear as your tank ages, distilled water won’t help you or make any difference. The quickest way to clear it is cheap U.V. sterilizer, also make sure your water is well aerated as that bacteria will deplete oxygen levels in your tank possibly stressing out your fish.
NS Mike D
In the arena.
activated carbon info^^^
I couldn't find the one where they tested the actual effectiveness between using a mesh bag in high flow versus a reactor (and two different types of carbon) but one clear take away is that the mesh bag in high flow wasn't as effective as might have been expected - a surprise to BRS since they often mention the method as a viable option.
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SteveO83
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NS Mike D
In the arena.
one thought in UV sterlizers, they kill stuff. I lean towards removing unwanted stuff rather than killing it, since killing it leaves the organics in the tank and I don't know how UV discerns from good microfauna versus unwanted microfauna.
I used to use UVs in my 100 gal freshwater and my outdoor pond, but the more I understand about all the bacteria and other microfauna, the less I prefer UV sterilizers.
I used to use UVs in my 100 gal freshwater and my outdoor pond, but the more I understand about all the bacteria and other microfauna, the less I prefer UV sterilizers.
NS Mike D
In the arena.
PS the bag of carbon should clear it up, just not a fast if it's not in a reactor or using lignite of varying size.
just in case, by any chance are you carbon dosing - not activate carbon, but rather using vodka NOPOX , sugar or some other form of organic carbon. A common mistake is to carbon dose to deal with algae without a proper skimmer that leads to a bacterial bloom. If not, never mind and store that for when you start fighting algae
just in case, by any chance are you carbon dosing - not activate carbon, but rather using vodka NOPOX , sugar or some other form of organic carbon. A common mistake is to carbon dose to deal with algae without a proper skimmer that leads to a bacterial bloom. If not, never mind and store that for when you start fighting algae
NS Mike D
In the arena.
decent R2R article on UV sterlizers - they address my concern by suggesting you run them at night so as to not kill off the beneficial life
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/uv-sterilization.503/
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/uv-sterilization.503/
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SteveO83
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Not dosing anything as of yet
