Is this a bacterial infection?

[Dom]

I started a tank with species indigenous to the NY Harbor area about 3 weeks ago.

I noticed a decrease in clarity, and scraped the glass with a safety razor, but it didn't help. Then I thought it might be haze on the outside of the glass, so I applied windex to some paper towels and wiped down the glass. I did a water change 5 days ago. I've started running a UV sterilizer about 2 hours ago to see if it helps.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[dvgyfresh]

Bacterial bloom especially if you just set the tank up , uv will help did you cycle the tank?

 

[tjohnson3]

Hopefully that’s not NY harbor water lol but agreed… bacterial bloom. UV and chemipure

 

[Dom]

Bacterial bloom especially if you just set the tank up , uv will help did you cycle the tank?

No, I am ashamed to admit this but I didn't cycle. For some reason, I never considered it.

And everything seems happy; everyone is eating and active.

I put a ball of Chaetomorpha in the tank and it exploded with growth, so I know nutrient levels were up and is why I did the water change. There was a subtle cloudiness at the time of the water change, but it continued to get worse, even after the water change.

I used sand from the beach and all of the water was from the beach to start. This is my first experience with a bacterial bloom. It seems pretty severe. If the UV is working, can you estimate how long it will be before I see an improvement?

 

[Dom]

Hopefully that’s not NY harbor water lol but agreed… bacterial bloom. UV and chemipure

I have Chemipure on hand, but I want to see how much progress I make with UV only to start.

 

[dvgyfresh]

No, I am ashamed to admit this but I didn't cycle. For some reason, I never considered it.

And everything seems happy; everyone is eating and active.

I put a ball of Chaetomorpha in the tank and it exploded with growth, so I know nutrient levels were up and is why I did the water change. There was a subtle cloudiness at the time of the water change, but it continued to get worse, even after the water change.

I used sand from the beach and all of the water was from the beach to start. This is my first experience with a bacterial bloom. It seems pretty severe. If the UV is working, can you estimate how long it will be before I see an improvement?

24 hours you will notice a huge difference, only thing is maybe run a bubbler/ create a bunch of surface tension in the tank because bacterial blooms deplete all the oxygen in water

 

[Dom]

24 hours you will notice a huge difference, only thing is maybe run a bubbler/ create a bunch of surface tension in the tank because bacterial blooms deplete all the oxygen in water

Well... I just rigged a makeshift protein skimmer. Its placed in the HOB filter. I've also added an air stone directly into the DT. The skimmer is producing lots of thick foam, so I am hoping this will help with the problem in some way.

I've noticed one crab and one snail retracted into their shell. I hope they haven't died.

My big concern is that during collection, when I dipped my collection container into the water, I picked up a juvenile winter flounder. It seems ok at the moment. Fingers crossed.

 

[Dom]

@brandon429 Is the bacteria in this bloom anaerobic?

 

[brandon429]

that’s a very open topped system, assuming good flow I dont see any reason it’s anaerobic


could be dieoff cycle of microorganisms and nutrients, not sure. We typically rinse those clean but you’re goal was to preserve diversity UV sounds like a good middle ground

 

[Dom]

that’s a very open topped system, assuming good flow I dont see any reason it’s anaerobic


could be dieoff cycle of microorganisms and nutrients, not sure. We typically rinse those clean but you’re goal was to preserve diversity UV sounds like a good middle ground

I thought that a lack of surface agitation would allow it.