"Dust" floating around the tank

[sixty_reefer]

Not sure what it is but I see a ton of "dust" or something floating around in the tank. Its been setup for nearly a year now.
Its a redsea max s-650 tank with the stock pumps (4x) on the rear and I have a reefwave45 on the side with random flow. I have tried putting a new 100 micron sock in to trap some stuff but it doesnt seem to drop the number of floaties.

Could possibly be bacteria film or oils from the fish food.

 

[Dburr1014]

Respectfully disagree. The overflow will not catch the micro-particles that are responsible for the lack of clarity in the water.

That is the job of filter socks and other micro-filtering media.

No, what I'm saying is the particulate on the surface will go over the weir. Maybe not all but surface agitation helps more so.

 

[Koh23]

Surface agitation only disperse problem, they dont solve it....

But, if flow from return pump is adequate, and there's no reason to doubt that, filter socks will eliminate almost everything.

If theres a place, i have 2 filter socks, i simply remove one and replace it with a cup with filter floss, overnight and tank is clear.....

Why uv have to be huge and expensive, it's 650, so there's probably around 500l of water volume, right?

I have some chinese 18w uv, it costs me around 50$, its bit undersized for tank size, and i doubt that i will be able to find replacement bulb, but after a year, i will buy again something cheaper, for bacterial removal its not super important if lamp is bit undersized....

For 100-150$ i believe you can find 36w quality uv.....

 

[JXNATC]

No UV. For a tank this size it would have to be huge and VERY costly.

I don't know anything about Red Sea aquariums, but if I understand, the Max S-650 is just over 100 gallons. This should be more than enough:

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer - IceCap - Bulk Reef Supply

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer

The IceCap UV sterilizers can be used on saltwater, freshwater, and ponds to help control and even eradicate parasites, algae, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa without any harmful chemicals or biocides. When set up, maintained, and properly operated; free-floating microorganisms will be killed by...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Floyd-]

If you only have a single filter sock that you've been cleaning it is probably worn out and shedding fibres..

You need to have at least four and swap twice a week. After 6 months 4 new ones.

This sock is brand new 100 micron. This stock sump is terrible and doesnt even have a place for filter socks. I have a single 7" diameter sock wrapped around the return pipes in the sump. I cant fit more than one.

 

[Floyd-]

Why uv have to be huge and expensive, it's 650, so there's probably around 500l of water volume, right?

I have some chinese 18w uv, it costs me around 50$, its bit undersized for tank size, and i doubt that i will be able to find replacement bulb, but after a year, i will buy again something cheaper, for bacterial removal its not super important if lamp is bit undersized....

For 100-150$ i believe you can find 36w quality uv.....

I don't know anything about Red Sea aquariums, but if I understand, the Max S-650 is just over 100 gallons. This should be more than enough:

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer - IceCap - Bulk Reef Supply

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer

The IceCap UV sterilizers can be used on saltwater, freshwater, and ponds to help control and even eradicate parasites, algae, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa without any harmful chemicals or biocides. When set up, maintained, and properly operated; free-floating microorganisms will be killed by...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This 650 is 175 gallons total (about 660L)

 

[Garf]

This 650 is 175 gallons total (about 660L)

For what it’s worth I ran a UV rated for 400ltrs on a 600ltr tank and it cleared it right up. Never changed the bulb in it and turned it off eventually.

 

[JXNATC]

This 650 is 175 gallons total (about 660L)

Oh, sorry. I had to google it. That's where I got the 105 gallons.

Red Sea Max S-650 (Black) – House of Fins

Max S-650LED Complete Reef System (105 Gal) Choosing the Red Sea MAX S-LED all in one aquarium series will make reef keeping easier than ever before. The Red Sea MAX S-Series systems have been carefully designed to support even the most delicate stony (SPS) corals; the MAX S-Series seamlessly...

houseoffins.com

 

[Floyd-]

Oh, sorry. I had to google it. That's where I got the 105 gallons.

Must have been a goof. Its a 150gallon display with a 25 gallon sump.
I took off the random flow nozzle on the return pump last night and cleaned and swapped filter socks again. Flow through the sump and tank increased. I have noticed recently that my filter sock and skimmer are not pulling in crap like they normally do. Maybe time to look at other things. I might get a tiny UV but I really dont want to spend 150+ on that. Might just try a cheap one to start and if it works then upgrade.

 

[JXNATC]

Must have been a goof. Its a 150gallon display with a 25 gallon sump.
I took off the random flow nozzle on the return pump last night and cleaned and swapped filter socks again. Flow through the sump and tank increased. I have noticed recently that my filter sock and skimmer are not pulling in crap like they normally do. Maybe time to look at other things. I might get a tiny UV but I really dont want to spend 150+ on that. Might just try a cheap one to start and if it works then upgrade.

Probably a typo. You could bump up to the 40w on the UV. That should work and it's only $20 or $30 more expensive.

 

[Koh23]

It IS 650l, but, 560l is display, 90l is sump.....

When u add sand, rock, all of equipment, like i said, you are in 500-550l range, and for that, 36w uv should be enough, at least for water clarity.....

At minimum, 15w uv with high flow, below that i think its too weak to actualy do real diference...

 

[Floyd-]

At the moment that too much coin to drop on something that may help. Ill search local and see if there is something used.

 

[Floyd-]

Here is a video of what i'm seeing. Its like this all the time.

 

[Tom Reefer]

It’s a bacterial bloom. UV or lots of time before it will clear.

 

[Tom Reefer]

I don't know anything about Red Sea aquariums, but if I understand, the Max S-650 is just over 100 gallons. This should be more than enough:

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer - IceCap - Bulk Reef Supply

27 Watt High Output UV Sterilizer

The IceCap UV sterilizers can be used on saltwater, freshwater, and ponds to help control and even eradicate parasites, algae, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa without any harmful chemicals or biocides. When set up, maintained, and properly operated; free-floating microorganisms will be killed by...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I agree with a UV, What looks like dust is most likely part of a bacterial bloom. Without UV you’ll just have to wait it out until your heterotrophic bacteria balances. Try putting some of your aquarium water in a clear glass and see if it settles to the bottom. If it doesn’t it’s a bacterial bloom

 

[Floyd-]

It’s a bacterial bloom. UV or lots of time before it will clear.

I agree with a UV, What looks like dust is most likely part of a bacterial bloom. Without UV you’ll just have to wait it out until your heterotrophic bacteria balances. Try putting some of your aquarium water in a clear glass and see if it settles to the bottom. If it doesn’t it’s a bacterial bloom

Its been about 6 months with little particles floating around. Never "clear" water at all. I have just learned to let it go and ignore it. I have a Reefmat on order that might help but who knows.

 

[CoralClasher]

Give this thread a read.

Extreme Water Clarity and Cyano Eradication, Made Easy!

Edit 10/092023: Note that I have tweaked the formula a bit. You can find an updated video here: Coral Snow Link: Coral Snow Hello all! I have been reefing now for about 25 years, and over those many years I have picked up many tips, tricks, and best habits/practices. From a hobbyist and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Floyd-]

Give this thread a read.

I had actually read that but I'm unsure it would help on my tank. I think a bit of my issues is actually caused by the 4 extra pumps on the back wall of the tank. The overflow is right above the 4 pumps in the back chamber that pump right back into the tank instead of down into the sump. In other words I think the pumps are just recirculating the stuff that goes into the overflow.
I'm going to turn those 4 pumps off and just use the gyre and powerhead I have at the moment for flow and see if anything settles.

 

[CoralClasher]

I had actually read that but I'm unsure it would help on my tank. I think a bit of my issues is actually caused by the 4 extra pumps on the back wall of the tank. The overflow is right above the 4 pumps in the back chamber that pump right back into the tank instead of down into the sump. In other words I think the pumps are just recirculating the stuff that goes into the overflow.
I'm going to turn those 4 pumps off and just use the gyre and powerhead I have at the moment for flow and see if anything settles.

To be honest I’ve been dealing with this same thing for years. No matter how much filtering I always have dust floating around. I hope you figure it out and I can fix this too.

 

[CoralClasher]

Are you carbon dosing? Vodka or vinegar?