Milky/cloudy Water in a New 20gal QT, Problem?

[Hugh Mann]

Set up a 20 gallon QT last Sunday on the 25th. Aquaclear 20 with sponge, biomax and carbon, sponge filter, and 3lbs of live rock. Used 5 gallons of tank water to seed some bacteria. Added a small maroon clown same day. Plastic wrap lid to stave off evaporation.

Couple days ago, the water went from crystal clear to a milky sort of cloudiness. As I understand it, this can be from a bacteria bloom, but also other potential causes. Clown is still happy as can be, but I'm wondering if this is a signal for a potential problem?

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 30
Salinity 1.021
Temp 77f

Salinity is a little low, lfs was running hypo, and I've been slowly raising it.

 

[Euphyllia97]

I guess it’s a bacterial bloom which is not unlikely to see in a new tank. It will balance out with time. Make sure you have enough flow and gas exchange in your tank to keep your clown safe.(bacteria will deplete oxygen)

 

[Hugh Mann]

Thanks. Will do, though I am confident there's plenty of gas exchange. So long as it won't make the water toxic or anything to my little clown I am happy. More or less.

 

[Euphyllia97]

You have a skimmer running aswell? Gets rid of the free floating bacteria and provides good gas exchange

 

[Hugh Mann]

You have a skimmer running aswell? Gets rid of the free floating bacteria and provides good gas exchange

No, but I do have a reef octopus I picked up used for my DT once the copper is out. Could give that a go.