3 weeks of white cloudy water since tank move

[dr_ fish]

So I upgraded from a 29G biocube to a 34g cube with a 5g or so sump. When I was still running the biocube I was dosing vinegar and did see some bacteria blooms come and go while dialing in the dose, but it eventually cleared up. I stopped dosing vinegar several weeks before I made the change to the new tank.

From day 1 the new tank was cloudy. Some of that I'm sure was from new sand and such from setting up a tank, but the cloudiness never went away and actually started to get worse. I can also see white strings of bacteria all over my rock and goo in my filter sock.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of this? I am skimming, added carbon, and have done a couple water changes.

What I am kind of thinking is that moving the rocks disrupted all the bacteria that was clinging to them.

Params
temp 79
s.g 1.025
nitrate 5
Po4 0
cal 440
alk 10

 

[jimknutson]

Are you using a filter sock? If not that would be my guess. If so then maybe too much or too little water movement. My guess is too little.

Edit: My bad I see you are using sock.

 

[ripped tide]

I had that same bacteria that you are referring to (white/clear filaments) when I had to turn of my skimmer, while still running biopellets....

 

[dr_ fish]

Today it looks like it is starting to fade, but I have seen it do this before and never get crystal clear.

Flow shouldn't be a problem, I have an MP10 in there.

 

[ripped tide]

What type of carbon are you using?

I really like the rox 0.8. It seems to be very effective at removing organically that contribute to cloudy water.

 

[dr_ fish]

Ripped Tide;785969 wrote: What type of carbon are you using?

I really like the rox 0.8. It seems to be very effective at removing organically that contribute to cloudy water.

That is exactly what I am using. Only using about 4 tablespoons like it says on the container for 40g, not sure if I can use more or not.

 

[ripped tide]

Oh yeah, you can WAY more. LOL

I use like 3-4 cups in my 93

 

[mustangcaleb]

i use 6 tablespoons in my 45 and 12 tablespoons of gfo. water is clear but got alittle new tank diatoms

 

[dr_ fish]

Ripped Tide;785971 wrote: Oh yeah, you can WAY more. LOL

I use like 3-4 cups in my 93

I assumed you could use more, but never got around to looking up how much more.

So, the container says to start with 1 tablespoon per gallon. Whats a safe but higher concentration to use? I put it in a sock and squeeze it between my baffles for good flow.

 

[ripped tide]

Hmm, I am afraid I don't have a good answer for that. I run my carbon in a sea systems reactor.

I usually do southern style dosing. The regiment I use for carbon is: a good bit. I pour it into the reactor until I say "o s**t, if i put anymore the lid won't fit!"

Hypothesis: if I add more than recommended, I shouldn't have to change it as often.

 

[dawgface]

Ripped Tide;785976 wrote: Hmm, I am afraid I don't have a good answer for that. I run my carbon in a sea systems reactor.

I usually do southern style dosing. The regiment I use for carbon is: a good bit. I pour it into the reactor until I say "o s**t, if i put anymore the lid won't fit!"

Hypothesis: if I add more than recommended, I shouldn't have to change it as often.

Lol Southern Style huh? I guess I'm on that program as well.

 

[ralph atl]

Ripped Tide;785971 wrote: Oh yeah, you can WAY more. LOL

I use like 3-4 cups in my 93

Ditto...

 

[fish scales2]

Should you build up to those levels or just jump straight to using 3-4 cups.

 

[ripped tide]

Fish Scales2;786009 wrote: Should you build up to those levels or just jump straight to using 3-4 cups.

When I was running biopellets, I only ran ~2 cups. It was still southern style, so i can't give a certain number.

When I took the pellets off, I doubled the amount of carbon to help remove excess organics.

 

[picoreefguy]

i would also try a floculant like clarity and frequent filter sock cleanings it will look like its getting more cloudy at first but thats just it doing its job and if you have a spare canister filter sitting around use it that will help it clear up faster

 

[ripped tide]

That may not be bad advice, but this sounds like a bacterial cloudiness, not particulate.

To me, it seems like something organic is feeding the bacteria and producing a bloom... I could be very wrong though.

 

[dr_ fish]

I'm going to take out and renew my carbon today. I will also be adding a lot more than what I was using. Fingers crossed.

 

[mustangcaleb]

keep an eye open for cheap two little fishies reactor. i got mine for $20 each and they would be much more efficient than having a bag of carbon between baffles

 

[dr_ fish]

MustangCaleb;786100 wrote: keep an eye open for cheap two little fishies reactor. i got mine for $20 each and they would be much more efficient than having a bag of carbon between baffles

I would rather have a reactor. I need to see if I can even fit on under my stand, space is really tight.

 

[mustangcaleb]

Dr. Fish;786113 wrote: I would rather have a reactor. I need to see if I can even fit on under my stand, space is really tight.

lol, oh i know, first hand! fwiw, i have my reactors inside my sump. can u fit one on each side of skimmer maybe?