The struggle is so real

[irescuedogs]

So I'm pretty new to saltwater life. Im Having a really hard time with the water quality. I can't get it to be where it should. I have 7 mollies, mostly babies, in a 20 gallon tank. I'm honestly shocked they've all survived as long as they have. The mama I've had for over 6 months months. The tank is cycled I'm pretty sure considering I've had it going for 6 months but for some reason the water is always dirty looking. I've even done 100% water changes and it still gets that way. I siphon the sand all that but I just don't understand why I can't do this. The photo attatched is what my filter looks like after just 2 or 3 days. What am I doing wrong? I'm so close to just giving up. If anyone can possibly help me so that I don't give up, that would be amazing I'm starting ot think I'm just not good at this and it's not a fun feeling..

 

[blaxsun]

Some of the more obvious questions would be what you’re running for filtration (including reactors and skimmers), what biological media you may be using (carbon, GFO), how much rock you have in your tank, whether you’re running a UV, what kind of pump and wavemakers you have, what does your cleanup crew consist of, how much and what kind of food are you feeding, etc. And last but not least, what are your water temperature, salinity, and nitrate, pH, alkalinity and ammonia levels?

 

[Lasse]

So I'm pretty new to saltwater life. Im Having a really hard time with the water quality. I can't get it to be where it should. I have 7 mollies, mostly babies, in a 20 gallon tank. I'm honestly shocked they've all survived as long as they have. The mama I've had for over 6 months months. The tank is cycled I'm pretty sure considering I've had it going for 6 months but for some reason the water is always dirty looking. I've even done 100% water changes and it still gets that way. I siphon the sand all that but I just don't understand why I can't do this. The photo attatched is what my filter looks like after just 2 or 3 days. What am I doing wrong? I'm so close to just giving up. If anyone can possibly help me so that I don't give up, that would be amazing I'm starting ot think I'm just not good at this and it's not a fun feeling..

Photo´s is missing

Do you use some type of organic carbon dosing (like NoPox, vinegar or vodka) . A list of your additives could help. Seems like something is growing in your water column

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

There is no photo attached. A few things that might be helpful for us trying to help you.

Please share your tank specs: size, filtration, inhabitants, ect.

Please share your tank parameters: Nitrate, phosphate, alk, calcium, salinity, ect.

Are you using RODI water for water changes and top off? How much are you feeding, what are you feeding and how often.

The more pictures the better and the more info the better. HANG IN THERE

 

[T_BONE]

Testing your water will tell you a lot. Or help us try to figure out what it may be. Do you have a quality test kit? Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ph, alkalinity, salinity, temperature etc….. good luck with the tank. It can be discouraging when things seem to go wrong but it is well worth the effort once settled out and you can enjoy you little piece of the ocean in your own home.

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

Some of the more obvious questions would be what you’re running for filtration (including reactors and skimmers), what biological media you may be using (carbon, GFO), how much rock you have in your tank, whether you’re running a UV, what kind of pump and wavemakers you have, what does your cleanup crew consist of, how much and what kind of food are you feeding, etc. And last but not least, what are your water temperature, salinity, and nitrate, pH, alkalinity and ammonia levels?

Photo´s is missing

Do you use some type of organic carbon dosing (like NoPox, vinegar or vodka) . A list of your additives could help. Seems like something is growing in your water column

Sincerely Lasse

Ya'll so fast!! haha

 

[CMMorgan]

Ya'll so fast!! haha

I know, right? Without a pic or parameters, it's like answering the magical question, "Why did my fish die?" without any other information. It was the butler, with a candlestick in the parlor.

OP, don't be discouraged. You can see by the responses that many people are available to help you. Hang in - answer a few questions, we need a few more clues to solve your mystery.

 

[brandon429]

is this fw or sw

post pic

 

[irescuedogs]

Here's the media

 

[irescuedogs]

The parameters are all off the nitrates nitrates and ammonia and ph are all high The salinity is at 1.026 I use ROD eye water and have 6 pounds of live rock in my tank with a couple crabs for cleanup crew and live sand I feed marine flakes and they eat everything never leave anything left over Is standard hang on the back filter with carbon The only thing I've added is prime The filter gets dirty in a couple days and the water does too even after 100% water change it's like I never did one there's like particles in the water and not sure what it is but they keep coming back every time I change the water and clean the filter media

 

[irescuedogs]

Here's the media

This is after a couple of days