How do i get crystal clear water??

[Miami Reef]

I was told to always squeeze sponge filters out in the water change water to preserve the beneficial bacteria. My understanding is that the chlorine/chloramine in tap water will kill the bacteria and this goes double for saltwater sponge filters because tap water is freshwater. I just squeeze them out in the bucket I use to siphon the tank water out. If anyone has clarification that would be great.

I wash my filter socks in the washing machine (grin). The rocks in the tank hold the bacteria that we care about. You can rinse the sponge in saltwater if it will make you feel better, but it’s certainly not mission critical.

 

[Karen00]

I wash my filter socks in the washing machine (grin). The rocks in the tank hold the bacteria that we care about. You can rinse the sponge in saltwater if it will make you feel better, but it’s certainly not mission critical.

True but in some setups with fewer rocks the sponge would could be used as part of the biological process. I don't think of a filter sock being used the same way. I would definitely be cleaning those. You are right that cleaning the sponge can be done depending on how the system is setup. Mine uses the sponge to house extra bacteria.

 

[Brancho]

As for uv something like this?

 

[Miami Reef]

As for uv something like this?

How many gallons is your tank?

 

[bnord]

Carbon carbon and carbon

 

[Brancho]

How many gallons is your tank?

130 gal

 

[Schumanistan]

I have a trigger platinum fleece roller sump hard plumbed into my Red Sea Max E 170 and it has my water crystal clear

 

[Wolf89]

Ozone
Oxydator
UV
Carbon
CaCO3 dosing (my favorite)
Filter socks

 

[Miami Reef]

130 gal

I would personally get a 20-25 watt for that tank size. My favorite brand is Aqua Ultraviolet.

 

[minorhero]

It appears you are running filter foam but not filter floss?

The easiest thing by far in your current setup to implement is to buy a bag of poly fil either online or at a local store (walmart, craft stores, etc) and stuff some in your sump where it can capture the most debris (maybe wedged in next to the foam etc). Tear off pieces and replace every 24-72 hours. This will capture debris. I just did this with a new tank I am setting up along with Seachem Clarity (flocculent) . It took 2 rounds but the difference after 4 days is truly incredible.

If your water clarity issues is caused by something other then particulate matter (such as bacteria) this won't do anything to fix that. The only solution there is to use UV as has been mentioned.

Good luck!

 

[Viking_Reefing]

UV does not do anything for yellow tint.

No need to use ozone for yellowing if you already use activated carbon.

It clears up free floating bacteria and algae resulting in clearer water.

In my experience ozone blows carbon out of the water when it comes to clarity. If nothing else the clarity will wax and wane if you’re using carbon for this purpose and not replacing it weekly.

 

[Miami Reef]

It clears up free floating bacteria and algae resulting in clearer water.

In my experience ozone blows carbon out of the water when it comes to clarity. If nothing else the clarity will wax and wane if you’re using carbon for this purpose and not replacing it weekly.

Yes, I’m aware ozone has water clarity benefits. But in your post, you mentioned needing ozone and carbon for yellowing, when one or the other could be used for that purpose.

For clearing up the hazy appearance from the bacteria in the water, UV or Ozone are fine options.

 

[BZOFIQ]

5 micron sock, water will be crystal clear and sock will probably be clogged 24-48 hours. I rewash and reuse as needed.

BTW, These are the socks I use and re-use for both Lanthanum Chloride treatment and when I need to polish the water. I was them in washing machine in bleach with all my regular 200-micron socks between use.

They've been through more than 2 dozen washes and work fine.

https://amzn.to/3y3UZOz

 

[Max93]

I just added the 57w UV sterilizer to my tank. I run it for Protozoa but it still cleared my water overnight.

 

[Brancho]

Thanks I put a polishing filter in and used some seachem clarity and it's allot better also used some vibrant and the algae is gone!

 

[reeftankdude]

5 micron sock, water will be crystal clear and sock will probably be clogged 24-48 hours. I rewash and reuse as needed.

what micron 5 sock are you using? thanks pal

 

[Miami Reef]

what micron 5 sock are you using? thanks pal

Amazon sells them.

 

[EugeneVan]

I use the Apex to turn on a 28mg/hr ozonizer every 4 hr for 5 minutes in my 200 gal reef tank. Water is crystal clear. I am not even worry about overdose of ozone and replace carbon every month. Very cost effective way to reach your goal.

 

[MrGisonni]

UV sterilizer

 

[stephanjupillat]

I use socks, carbon, kz coral snow (chalk dust) 3 times a week and kz zeolife every other day. Can’t get much clearer than that