small particles floating around saltwater tank

[anik1313]

hey guys, lurker here making a post for the first time.
i set up a tank about two months ago, and put in my stock around a month ago.

i have a fluval evo 13.5, and it is a lovely tank. in the tank i have live sand and live rocks. as far as stock, i have two clown fish, a watchman goby, a couple snails, a couple hermits and a cleaner shrimp. i do water changes weekly. my salt levels come back perfect when i test them, my nitrate and ammonia levels are fine, i have my jets aimed towards the top of the tank, i keep my aquarium set to 78 degrees, i set up the internal filter correctly, and i added a fluval mini protein skimmer, and it is skimming and collecting dirty foam/ water.

however, i always have these small particles whirling around the tank, giving it a dirty appearance. i was told by a few people that these aren't harmful to the fish, however it is just more annoying than anything. any recommendations on what to do here? i appreciate the help. I have attached some pictures.

https://ibb.co/nftDo8

https://ibb.co/b3mNgT

 

[Crabs McJones]

hey guys, lurker here making a post for the first time.
i set up a tank about two months ago, and put in my stock around a month ago.

i have a fluval evo 13.5, and it is a lovely tank. in the tank i have live sand and live rocks. as far as stock, i have two clown fish, a watchman goby, a couple snails, a couple hermits and a cleaner shrimp. i do water changes weekly. my salt levels come back perfect when i test them, my nitrate and ammonia levels are fine, i have my jets aimed towards the top of the tank, i keep my aquarium set to 78 degrees, i set up the internal filter correctly, and i added a fluval mini protein skimmer, and it is skimming and collecting dirty foam/ water.

however, i always have these small particles whirling around the tank, giving it a dirty appearance. i was told by a few people that these aren't harmful to the fish, however it is just more annoying than anything. any recommendations on what to do here? i appreciate the help. I have attached some pictures.

https://ibb.co/nftDo8

https://ibb.co/b3mNgT

Welcome to R2R!!

#WelcometoR2R My guess would be either mircobubbles from your skimmer, or small sand particles floating around from increased flow. Try turning off your skimmer for a bit and see if it stops. If not what filtration does the evo use? (sorry i'm not familiar with it) does it use a sponge or a filter sock of some sort? If not i'd try either a filter sock or filter pad to trap the small particles until they clear up

 

[Reef of Fillory]

hey guys, lurker here making a post for the first time.
i set up a tank about two months ago, and put in my stock around a month ago.

i have a fluval evo 13.5, and it is a lovely tank. in the tank i have live sand and live rocks. as far as stock, i have two clown fish, a watchman goby, a couple snails, a couple hermits and a cleaner shrimp. i do water changes weekly. my salt levels come back perfect when i test them, my nitrate and ammonia levels are fine, i have my jets aimed towards the top of the tank, i keep my aquarium set to 78 degrees, i set up the internal filter correctly, and i added a fluval mini protein skimmer, and it is skimming and collecting dirty foam/ water.

however, i always have these small particles whirling around the tank, giving it a dirty appearance. i was told by a few people that these aren't harmful to the fish, however it is just more annoying than anything. any recommendations on what to do here? i appreciate the help. I have attached some pictures.

https://ibb.co/nftDo8

https://ibb.co/b3mNgT

It's unlikely that the stock flow is going to be pushing the sand around, and with the stock foam filter in the center chamber, I wouldn't think that micro bubbles would be getting through. I would follow Crabs advice and turn off the skimmer for ~1-2 hours and see if the water clears up.

As an aside, most people in saltwater find better success without the foam filter on the EVO. Many of us have either used the InTank media tower for compartment 1, with a skimmer or refugium in compartment 2, or have gone with just a refugium/InTank media tower in compartment 2.

I build a DIY media rack for chamber one with filterfloss on top, and Chemipure Elite second with chaetomorpha under that. I just added a skimmer to section 2, and I had microbubbles for the first few days, but they have subsided since.

I suggest creating a build thread in the nano tank forum or the All In One forum

 

[anik1313]

Thanks guys.
I just ordered an Intank chamber on amazon. Free same day shipping!
I will remove the protein skimmer for an hour or two later, set up the new intank chamber and give an update tomorrow! Thanks !

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R

 

[anik1313]

Thanks for the welcome and the help guys.
I removed the protein skimmer for a few hours, but the particles still were floating around.

I did not receive the Intank media chamber yet, it says today.
I will try it out today and hope for the best! Will update when I receive it!

 

[Martika]

Any luck with the i tank media chamber?? I’m having the same issue as you! Although I do not have a protien skimmer!

 

[anik1313]

The intank media chambers work great. Although I definitely didn’t need both, I have the chambers in both compartments. I also aimed my jets to shoot more upwards. Clear water