Yet another "Tank is Cloudy" thread

[RichGonzo]

Hey, I have been browsing this forum for 6 years and this is my first post.

Just set up a 220g tank that has been up and running for approximately 6 weeks to date. system has 200lbs of live rock (50/50 LR and BRS cultured). I used a table shrimp and Brightwell Microbacter throughout the cycle. Completed a 40% water change after tank finished cycle (2 weeks ago) and a 20% water change a few days ago. Skimmer is pulling out green algae.

Right before the first water change the tank was pretty clear and then became pretty cloudy. It's a yellow/green color. Sump water is obviously the same color as well.

Over the course of the last couple of weeks (after cycle) we introduced a cleanup crew, (5) small Skunk Clowns, (2) small Yellow Tangs and a small Copperbanded Butterfly. All seem to be doing well and are eating. The tank was cloudy prior to introducing the fish.

This is my 3rd tank and have never had this cloudy issue.

I make my RODI (6 stage) and is showing zero TDS
I make my salt water with Crystal Sea.
Temps at 78
Return pump is a Vectra M1 (2000gph) running at 50% to try to help skimmer
Skimmer is a RO 200int Elite
Carbon in a reactor


Ammonia 0
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Mag 1000ppm
Phosphate 0
Calcium 400ppm
DKH 8

Lights are AI sols and I run em 8 hrs per day at 50%. seems more clear in the AM when the lights have been off. If its an algae bloom due to lights, what can I do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

 

[Johniejumbo]

Could try a 3 day black out. If it’s an algae bloom that should help it a lot. I’ve sterilizers work good too.

 

[RichGonzo]

Will try. I just noticed that my Mag is pretty low. Could this be a contributing factor at all?

 

[Johniejumbo]

I’m not entirely sure to tell the truth. I just set up a tank last spring and I had a lot of trouble getting it to clear. I’ve had tanks for 15 years and never had so much trouble. I hooked up a u.v. Sterilizer and a couple of days later water was clear. Ran it for about a month just to be sure and I haven’t had trouble since.

 

[lbacha]

My guess would be that the addition of all those fish started a bacteria bloom to deal with all the additional waste (started a mini cycle). Since the rock didn’t have a robust amount of bacteria in it the bacteria is in the water column.

 

[RichGonzo]

The tank was cloudy prior to the addition of fish. I added the clowns and a week later added the 2 tangs and butterfly. I have been testing ammonia, phosphates, trites and trates every day and nothing has changed since the addition of the fish.
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[RichGonzo]

Going to drop lights to 4 hrs/day at 40%

 

[Jet915]

UV steriilizer and carbon, my tank is crystal clear.

 

[RichGonzo]

This is the largest tank that I have ever ran. Last one was a 112 and the one before that was a 29g both mixed reef. I thought that I read somewhere that larger tanks need UV Sterilizers. Is this true? Or should I just see if I can borrow one from someone local. If it will be beneficial down the road I will probably just pick one up.

 

[Johniejumbo]

Personally I keep one on hand. But only run it if I feel there is a reason to. Algae and bacteria aren’t the only thing the light kills. That being said there are a lot of people who run one all the time with no ill effects.