Keeping your aquarium water Crystal Clear?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Ever see those reef aquariums where it looks like there isn't any water in the tank? How in the world do people get their aquariums so CRYSTAL CLEAR? Like there's no water at all in there! Let's talk about that today.

1. Would you consider your aquarium water to be "Crystal Clear?"

2. What are the best ways to keep your water consistently clear?

image via @Marco A. Martins

 

[ZoWhat]

Hands down... filter socks will make your water column clearer

But.... the quality of your front glass has a lot to do with that as well. Betting the pic above is low-iron starfire glass


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[LRT]

Proper aeration and water movement has almost totally cleared my water up recently. Not sure if its because I'm getting more particulates to skimmer or if its the movement and aeration with less stagnation or all of the above.

 

[prdubois]

Dont have any puffers or triggers?

 

[stephj03]

Ozone

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

Low iron glass, good quality carbon, keep glass clean.

 

[theMeat]

Have a slightly undersized uv, and slow flow through refugium gives debris a place to settle. Don’t run socks or carbon and water is clear

 

[Murica]

Ozone

+1

 

[Sharkbait19]

1. Would you consider your aquarium water to be "Crystal Clear?"
Absolutely not! I don't know how people do it! It feels like a magic trick that I'll never quite understand or obtain the skills for!
2. What are the best ways to keep your water consistently clear?
I guess if I had a larger tank, food might not put as much an affect. I suppose just constantly cleaning my filtration and even more water changes could provide results. I also don't own a protein skimmer, so getting one may help. I just never found them incredibly necessary for such a tiny tank though. (Fluval 13.5)

I do notice some good clarity a few hours after a water change. Then once my clowns start making a mess, it all starts over again.

 

[DangerDave]

It’s crystal clear. Activated carbon and a W model oxydator running two catalysts @ 10% H202 help achieve this. I also use a roller filter, it’s easier to see floating detritus when the waters is super clear.

Dave

 

[AJsReef]

Clear as can be even when looking across the 6' length. Filter mat and carbon did great but UV pushed it over the edge.

That said, I do get microbubbles and can't ever seem to get rid of them... grrr....

 

[iMi]

I selected “Yes” and use filter sock, protein skimmer, high quality carbon and 50 micron polishing pad as needed. If the sand bed gets disturbed and there is lots of fine particles, I’ll dose Seachem Clarity. I believe good water circulation plays a role as well.

 

[ubiq]

Clear as air. Skimmer, roller, CUC, and, rarely, UV.

 

[MERKEY]

I don't consider mine crystal clear at all lol

I would agree filter socks, polyfilter pad or roller of some sorts would do the trick

 

[Auquanut]

1. Would you consider your aquarium water to be "Crystal Clear?"
I voted yes. I can look down the length of my 6' 125 and I don't notice any cloudiness.

2. What are the best ways to keep your water consistently clear?
Not sure about the best ways, but I keep high flow, aggressive nutrient export and run ROX carbon 24/7. I change it out about every 3 weeks.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Hands down... filter socks will make your water column clearer

But.... the quality of your front glass has a lot to do with that as well. Betting the pic above is low-iron starfire glass


.

My Clarisea 5000 and Carbon keep my water dang near crystal clear.

 

[SoggyNW]

Fine mechanical filtration plus carbon keeps the water clear for me. My damsel likes to stir the sand so there is always a little debris in the water. But looking through the tank long ways I don't notice any discoloration.

 

[Hydrored]

Yes, UV and filter socks do the heavy lifting along with AWC. Also run carbon on occasion

 

[Mark Gray]

Ozone

 

[John Bolden]

Filter socks, carbon, and sponges.