How to get crystal clear water

[TxReefer21]

13.5 evo mixed reef with sps, lps, softie, and zoas. About 10 months now

Oh nice okay well cancel the UV then I also had a evo 13.5 had super clear water but also had the tank bare bottom ran filter floss in media basket up top where overflow was. Second slot was carbon and that was it.

 

[shadow_k]

I got this tank crystal clear by rinsing out my sand bed now I don’t get dust storms anymore I also run filter floss and no carbon I also feed a little since I have 2 fish

 

[GHOSTLY]

I got this tank crystal clear by rinsing out my sand bed now I don’t get dust storms anymore I also run filter floss and no carbon I also feed a little since I have 2 fish

Wash your sand? What do you mean

 

[GHOSTLY]

Oh nice okay well cancel the UV then I also had a evo 13.5 had super clear water but also had the tank bare bottom ran filter floss in media basket up top where overflow was. Second slot was carbon and that was it.

Chamber 1 is a reactor and chamber 2 is a fuge. I have floss final chamber for all the bits coming out

 

[shadow_k]

Wash your sand? What do you mean

I basically rinsed my sand 100+ times so it can run clear then I soaked it in RO water and then added it to display. Before anytime my snails or crabs would mess with the sand it would send particles and cloud it up

 

[GHOSTLY]

Also love the middle!!: such a unique take. It would be cool with zoas

I got this tank crystal clear by rinsing out my sand bed now I don’t get dust storms anymore I also run filter floss and no carbon I also feed a little since I have 2 fish

 

[GHOSTLY]

I basically rinsed my sand 100+ times so it can run clear then I soaked it in RO water and then added it to display. Before anytime my snails or crabs would mess with the sand it would send particles and cloud it up

I rinsed mine twice and just did a water change each day

 

[shadow_k]

Also love the middle!!: such a unique take. It would be cool with zoas

Thank you ! I’m planing on getting more zoas

the lens cap I used was a bit smudged.

I rinsed mine twice and just did a water change each day

I was dealing with a bad Dino outbreak so I did a rip clean because I was having nutrient issues. But I thought I’d give you a suggestion since rinsing sand is free

 

[GHOSTLY]

Thank you ! I’m planing on getting more zoas

the lens cap I used was a bit smudged.



I was dealing with a bad Dino outbreak so I did a rip clean because I was having nutrient issues. But I thought I’d give you a suggestion since rinsing sand is free

I’m thankful I have only coralline growing. Apart from that small bit of smudgy algae on the glass it’s only coralline

 

[stephj03]

Since you have a small tank you wouldn't need a large ozone generator.

There are small units meant to disinfect fruits and veggies that even have a pump and come with tubing and an air stone for $20ish.

Sounds like you want to try carbon first, and I would as well, but don't trick yourself into thinking ozone/uv on a small tank has to be expensive.hth

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So all questions must be answered in a best case scenario mode? With no regard to the person asking the question? One size fits all?
Perhaps it would be better to state something like “ well the best methods to get what you’re looking for is uv and or ozone, but in your specific case I would recommend something cheaper and simpler like activated carbon “
How’s that?

All questions should be answered correctly.

The answer you post above is.

 

[elorablue]

All questions should be answered correctly.

The answer you post above is.

I forgot in science there is only one answer.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Since you have a small tank you wouldn't need a large ozone generator.

There are small units meant to disinfect fruits and veggies that even have a pump and come with tubing and an air stone for $20ish.

Sounds like you want to try carbon first, and I would as well, but don't trick yourself into thinking ozone/uv on a small tank has to be expensive.hth

could you send me the link

 

[kittenbritches]

Carbon as everyone else has suggested, and water polishing filter pads. They're cheap, and quite effective in my experience.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Carbon as everyone else has suggested, and water polishing filter pads. They're cheap, and quite effective in my experience.

Whats a water polishing pad? Is it just filter floss since i have quite literally a garage full

 

[kittenbritches]

Whats a water polishing pad? Is it just filter floss since i have quite literally a garage full

No, it's an actual pad, with a soft side and a heat-treated slightly harder side. You have the flow go through the soft side and the hard side traps the particulate. Why does R2R hate my links so badly? LOL. Look up "Polishing Filter Pad - Superior Polishing Pad for Aquarium - Cut to Fit 24" by 36" Media for Fresh Water & Saltwater Fish Tanks" on Amazon.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I forgot in science there is only one answer.

There can be many right, and many wrong answers, and some that are simply incomplete.

I'm surprised this is even controversial.

 

[fryman]

I expect fancy tanks with super-clear water use multiple methods including mechanical filters (filter socks, fleece, or roller mat), activated carbon, UV, and/or maybe even ozone. The skimmer may help a bit too.

Another cheap option is calcium carbonate powder.
Mikeymikemike on youtube has a video about this method but others have done it for years.

What I do is mix about 6oz calcium carbonate powder (sold as a supplement at the pharmacy) in a liter bottle with rodi. Once a week I shake it up very well and dose ~10ml of the white liquid per 100 gal. The tank will turn milky white which was alarming to me the first time. But after a few hours this clears up. Next day water is notably more clear. I also run carbon and a skimmer and while my water is not always crystal clear I think it's fine.

I think at some point this all becomes cosmetic. I doubt it's necessary or even beneficial from a health of livestock standpoint to get the water perfectly crystal clear...

 

[GHOSTLY]

I expect fancy tanks with super-clear water use multiple methods including mechanical filters (filter socks, fleece, or roller mat), activated carbon, UV, and/or maybe even ozone. The skimmer may help a bit too.

Another cheap option is calcium carbonate powder.
Mikeymikemike on youtube has a video about this method but others have done it for years.

What I do is mix about 6oz calcium carbonate powder (sold as a supplement at the pharmacy) in a liter bottle with rodi. Once a week I shake it up very well and dose ~10ml of the white liquid per 100 gal. The tank will turn milky white which was alarming to me the first time. But after a few hours this clears up. Next day water is notably more clear. I also run carbon and a skimmer and while my water is not always crystal clear I think it's fine.

I think at some point this all becomes cosmetic. I doubt it's necessary or even beneficial from a health of livestock standpoint to get the water perfectly crystal clear...

im not fancy. Most fancy is a reactor with algae.

 

[GHOSTLY]

in conclusion UV and ozone are the best but Carbon is the most affordable?