Tank still cloudy. Is this normal?

[ReeferHolland]

Hello all,
My tank is up and running for one week now. It was extremely cloudy at the beginning because I added the sand and rocks to the salt water in the 200L tank.
I used ocean direct aragonite in combination with half a bag of special grade added on top.
And for salt I used TM syn-biotic
I followed the advice from a previous thread:

- Use filter floss and sponge (change every other day)
- daily blowing dust off the rocks
- keep return pump and powerheads on

The water cleared up after 2 days but since then there is no improvement. This is how it looks now:

Every day I added 20ML Microbe Lift - Nite-out 2. I also add a very small amount of frozen shrimp food every day to start the cycle. And every once in a while I add Microbe lift Special blend (I follow their instructions its not for every day.)
Oh and for everyone that uses AF lifesource: I bought AF life source but then read some bad things about magnetic parts in the stuff. So I put the container on top of some very strong magnets and guess what, after 1 day the magnets almost stick to the bottom of the container. So thats how many magnetic parts are in there. I don't recommend just putting some magnets through the mud. You will never catch enough particles to make it safe for your equipment.

So furthermore, my salinity is at 1.025/1.026 now. Temperature is 25 Celcius or 77 Fahrenheit.

I tested for ammonia and nitrite but I didn't get any results yet. Is this normal after a week?

And should I change anything about what I'm currently doing? Should I keep ghostfeeding a tiny amount every day? And keep adding nite-out 2 every day? Until when?

Is it normal that my tank is still cloudy now? Can I do something about it or should I leave it till the cycle is done?

One more question: I used approx. 1.5 times the recommended amount ( recommended was 1 inch) of sand. Is this within the "safe range"? Not too much?

 

[Bleigh]

Your sand level is fine. It looks like it will be an awesome set up!

Sometimes it can take a little longer for the detritus to settle, but a milky look could also be bacteria. I am not familiar with microbe lift. I am assuming that is a bacteria product. I am surprised you have not seen ammonia after a week though. Out of curiosity, have you tested your nitrate levels?

What test kits are you using. Have you double checked the expiration dates on your test kits?

 

[ReeferHolland]

Your sand level is fine. It looks like it will be an awesome set up!

Sometimes it can take a little longer for the detritus to settle, but a milky look could also be bacteria. I am not familiar with microbe lift. I am assuming that is a bacteria product. I am surprised you have not seen ammonia after a week though. Out of curiosity, have you tested your nitrate levels?

What test kits are you using. Have you double checked the expiration dates on your test kits?

Thanks!

Yes microbe lift is a starter bacteria. But its not ammonia so I have to add frozen food to decay and produce ammonia. Maybe this takes much longer?

I tested both ammonia and nitrite. I dont own a nitrate test. LFS didn't reccomend that for whatever reason. I use salifert test kits. They are brand new and they expire in more than 2 years

Is this white stuff bacteria? Is that a problem then? It does seem to settle on rocks, but it doesn't dissolve. And I assume the filter floss doesn't catch the smallest particles

 

[Lavey29]

I agree the dust cloud just needs time to settle unless your powerheads are to high and you are blowing sand around in your tank. Add some liquid ammonia and get a reading. Then add your nitrifying bacteria to promote your cycle.

 

[ReeferHolland]

I agree the dust cloud just needs time to settle unless your powerheads are to high and you are blowing sand around in your tank. Add some liquid ammonia and get a reading. Then add your nitrifying bacteria to promote your cycle.

I actually don't know where to buy ammomia for my tank. I live in the Nertherlands, any recommendations?

 

[Dextar]

Thanks!

Yes microbe lift is a starter bacteria. But its not ammonia so I have to add frozen food to decay and produce ammonia. Maybe this takes much longer?

I tested both ammonia and nitrite. I dont own a nitrate test. LFS didn't reccomend that for whatever reason. I use salifert test kits. They are brand new and they expire in more than 2 years

Is this white stuff bacteria? Is that a problem then? It does seem to settle on rocks, but it doesn't dissolve. And I assume the filter floss doesn't catch the smallest particles

I’d get a nitrate test asap to start, nite-out is meant to “eliminate” amonia/nitrite so it may just be doing a better job then you think. I cycled my tank recently and never saw any nitrite (did see some amonia), it just went straight to nitrate.

Special blend...ohh the smell..

 

[Dextar]

I actually don't know where to buy ammomia for my tank. I live in the Nertherlands, any recommendations?

I wasn’t able to find any that I trusted over here. Ghost feeding or a table shrimp should work but may just take more time as it needs to break down. #geduldiseenschonezaak

 

[ReeferHolland]

I’d get a nitrate test asap to start, nite-out is meant to “eliminate” amonia/nitrite so it may just be doing a better job then you think. I cycled my tank recently and never saw any nitrite (did see some amonia), it just went straight to nitrate.

Special blend...ohh the smell..

Good to hear some familiar experience. I will get the test tomorrow.
How did you add ammonia? By feeding or liquid ammonia additive?

 

[ReeferHolland]

I wasn’t able to find any that I trusted over here. Ghost feeding or a table shrimp should work but may just take more time as it needs to break down.

Waiting is not a problem for me. Im already satisfied if I know that the cycle is going well. Yes patience is key. So you just added a shrimp?

 

[Dextar]

Defrosted a frozen table shrimp and let that decay in the sump in a small isolation/breeding box. Used the box to keep it contained, as the first time I used this method the shrimp got stuck under a rock (not fun to unstick)

Edit: my main reason for this method is that I’m forgetful so feeding daily isn’t my thing (without fish)

 

[Dextar]

Also, nice setup! Bonus points for the skådis

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all,
My tank is up and running for one week now. It was extremely cloudy at the beginning because I added the sand and rocks to the salt water in the 200L tank.
I used ocean direct aragonite in combination with half a bag of special grade added on top.
And for salt I used TM syn-biotic
I followed the advice from a previous thread:

- Use filter floss and sponge (change every other day)
- daily blowing dust off the rocks
- keep return pump and powerheads on

The water cleared up after 2 days but since then there is no improvement. This is how it looks now:

Every day I added 20ML Microbe Lift - Nite-out 2. I also add a very small amount of frozen shrimp food every day to start the cycle. And every once in a while I add Microbe lift Special blend (I follow their instructions its not for every day.)
Oh and for everyone that uses AF lifesource: I bought AF life source but then read some bad things about magnetic parts in the stuff. So I put the container on top of some very strong magnets and guess what, after 1 day the magnets almost stick to the bottom of the container. So thats how many magnetic parts are in there. I don't recommend just putting some magnets through the mud. You will never catch enough particles to make it safe for your equipment.

So furthermore, my salinity is at 1.025/1.026 now. Temperature is 25 Celcius or 77 Fahrenheit.

I tested for ammonia and nitrite but I didn't get any results yet. Is this normal after a week?

And should I change anything about what I'm currently doing? Should I keep ghostfeeding a tiny amount every day? And keep adding nite-out 2 every day? Until when?

Is it normal that my tank is still cloudy now? Can I do something about it or should I leave it till the cycle is done?

One more question: I used approx. 1.5 times the recommended amount ( recommended was 1 inch) of sand. Is this within the "safe range"? Not too much?

Not abnormal with aragonite but from that sand, there are likly so many particles in which a sock alone cannot keep up with it.
I recommend. . . Go to walmart and buy a cheap $20 hang on back power filter ( doesnt matter where you hang it on tank)- plug it in and this unit with carbon cartridge will polish the water for you.
Another option which i rarely recommend but have used myself with success is Kent Pro clear which clumps the micron particles before they reach your socks.

 

[ReeferHolland]

Defrosted a frozen table shrimp and let that decay in the sump in a small isolation/breeding box. Used the box to keep it contained, as the first time I used this method the shrimp got stuck under a rock (not fun to unstick)

Edit: my main reason for this method is that I’m forgetful so feeding daily isn’t my thing (without fish)

I use daily feeding because I think its faster. I completely crunch the frozen food into a liquid smudge for quicker decay.

 

[ReeferHolland]

Also, nice setup! Bonus points for the skådis

Thanks! Do you have a similar setup?

 

[Dextar]

Reefer 350 with 2 skådis boards so far, may add a third

 

[Lavey29]

I actually don't know where to buy ammomia for my tank. I live in the Nertherlands, any recommendations?

Dr. Tims on amazon