I desperately need help- orange water

[jennifer.v]

So I am in desperate need of help. We have had our 210 gallon tank for 2 years now. Everything was amazing and perfect till about 6 months ago when we all of a sudden had a horrible hair algea problem. We plucked it, got mollies, water changes (which actually seemed to make it worse) and then finally, we went on vacation for 5 days and had the lights turned off completely. typically they are on a timer. When we got back, about two weeks ago, the hair algea was pretty much totally gone, so we resumed with the regular schedule on the lights. Now on Thursday, the tank started to look cloudy, by Saturday, the water was a yellow-ish color and now it is almost like a burnt orange color and there is no way to see through the glass. I will admit, I am the one who looks at the tank and I do not do the upkeep, I have my planted tank and semi aggresive freshwater tank that I take care of, this tank is my husbands, and he is to the point of giving up and tearing it down. I don't want that to happen, so I am stepping up. Please, please, please help!!!!

 

[MasterBacon]

Does he have a test kit? Pictures help.

 

[McMullen]

Step 1. Clean algae off glass
Step 2. Check Nitrate and Phosphate level of aquarium water; perhaps even ammonia and nitrite if possible.
Step 3. Post results of test here.

 

[steve&mari]

@Randy Holmes-Farley please help he would be best probably for this. Can you post parameters and pictures any information about chemistry of water and additives.

 

[MasterBacon]

And Welcome! Sorry it had to be under these circumstances. But you are in the right place for help.

 

[steve&mari]

Yes welcome and #reefsquad please help out.

 

[jenreefer]

We need a bit more information from you. First, is this a saltwater tank? Second. what kind of testing are you doing? we need some numbers and some pictures of the tank to start to connect the dots. If this is a freshwater tank, I have not help to offer. hope we can help. give us details about what is in the tank.

 

[jennifer.v]

You guys are awesome! It is a saltwater tank, there are (or were idk anymore because I can't see) coral, fish, shrimp, snails, all that stuff in there. I've wiped the algae off. We have three test kits and the APEX system tester is in there constantly. I will test all the levels and get back.
Also, he said that the gfo seems like it got too pressurized and leached iron into the tank. Does that

 

[melypr1985]

Hi jennifer! Welcome to R2R! I'm sorry to hear about these troubles. We definately need test results for the basics such as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and PH.... also phosphate. Is your husband running carbon? Skimmer? Have you tested the source water and RODI water for phosphates, nitrates and TDS? Yeah, sorry but we need lots of info. We'll try to help!

 

[jennifer.v]

I don't know why it took so many pictures. Also, I fee like the test may be skewed because the color of the water isn't clear.

 

[MasterBacon]

Holy, wow! I bow out and let #reefsquad have it. Above my pay grade! Good luck !

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and sorry your having the issues. As others have suggested, we're going to need some parameters.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I see a snail on the front glass so that's a good sign... does look a little like gfo rinsed water...

 

[jsker]

This is one of those times, that I one say to do a heavy water change, your temp is fine but I run my salt at 33.3,

I also most like a red tide/huge algae bloom. And again I would start with big water change.

As @melypr1985 states, number would help a lot with trying to figure out everything. Also what are you running ( reactors? dosing? skimmer etc)


You can also nuke the tank with chem clean to get rid of the algae bloom. then figure out what is wrong

 

[gemini9]

Looks like swamp thing has been messing with your tank

 

[jennifer.v]

Ph is 8.12, RO water is perfect, it also goes straight into the quarantine tank and the freshwater tanks, there is a preotein skimmer

 

[melypr1985]

I think I'd do a massive water change - or more accurately several medium sized water changes while running carbon. I'd change the carbon out every couple days.

Did you let those tests sit for a minute or two? They take a couple minutes to develop completely.

 

[Dancingmad]

Maybe testing a freshly mixed batch of saltwater too just to confirm the salt mix is right too. Couldn't hurt.

 

[Hogan]

I'd drain that sucker down to the sand and put new saltwater in there.

 

[steve&mari]

Definitely big water change run fresh carbon n filter sock or floss change as needed. Does look like gfo dust was it rinsed well before used?