Cloudy Water and Algae - How to clear up water?

[chaserdogg01]

Hello,

I have a 75-gallon tank that I set up back in early April and cannot for the life of me get the water to clear up. I do weekly water changes of about 8 gallons, run the lights for about 8 hours a day (at a relatively low level since the bright light was stressing out the fish), I only have two Ocellaris clowns and a clean up crew that I got a couple of weeks ago. The water tends to clear up by EOD, but even then it isn't as crystal clear as some of the tanks I see on here. Any suggestions to get water cleared up? Any additional info I can provide to diagnose what might be the issue? I know there's an ugly stage all tanks go through, is this still what I am experiencing? Tank is in an office so want it to be pleasant for coworkers and guests who visit.

I am using reef crystals for salt mix, RODI water, nitrates hovering around 5-10. Please see attached images for reference on cloudiness.

Thank you!

 

[eggie]

Are you using any carbon ?

 

[kevgib67]

Could be an algae or bacterial bloom. As mentioned, you could use carbon and/or a uv sterilizer.

 

[chaserdogg01]

Could be an algae or bacterial bloom. As mentioned, you could use carbon and/or a uv sterilizer.

Hi, yes, I have carbon two packs of fluvals carbon in the filter as well as polyfil. Any moderately priced UV Sterilizers for a 75 g?

 

[kevgib67]

Hi, yes, I have carbon two packs of fluvals carbon in the filter as well as polyfil. Any moderately priced UV Sterilizers for a 75 g?

I’ve heard great things about the Green Killing machine, you would probably need the 24 watt and it’s a little under $100.

 

[chaserdogg01]

I’ve heard great things about the Green Killing machine, you would probably need the 24 watt and it’s a little under $100.

Great, thanks Kev! Will look into that next.

 

[kevgib67]

Great, thanks Kev! Will look into that next.

I think they have a video showing it running and the decrease in cloudiness each day.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Hello,

I have a 75-gallon tank that I set up back in early April and cannot for the life of me get the water to clear up. I do weekly water changes of about 8 gallons, run the lights for about 8 hours a day (at a relatively low level since the bright light was stressing out the fish), I only have two Ocellaris clowns and a clean up crew that I got a couple of weeks ago. The water tends to clear up by EOD, but even then it isn't as crystal clear as some of the tanks I see on here. Any suggestions to get water cleared up? Any additional info I can provide to diagnose what might be the issue? I know there's an ugly stage all tanks go through, is this still what I am experiencing? Tank is in an office so want it to be pleasant for coworkers and guests who visit.

I am using reef crystals for salt mix, RODI water, nitrates hovering around 5-10. Please see attached images for reference on cloudiness.

Thank you!

When I started my 75gal, I had a similar look. Do you have an oily like film on top? A protein skimmer cleared the water and removed the film.

 

[chaserdogg01]

When I started my 75gal, I had a similar look. Do you have an oily like film on top? A protein skimmer cleared the water and removed the film.

This is currently what I have running to cause some surface agitation - https://a.co/d/j1tAwVJ. I had a bit of an oily film and other precipitate build up before I added this surface skimmer.

 

[Mongo1.0]

When I started my 75gal, I had a similar look. Do you have an oily like film on top? A protein skimmer cleared the water and removed the film.

This is currently what I have running to cause some surface agitation - https://a.co/d/j1tAwVJ. I had a bit of an oily film and other precipitate build up before I added this surface skimmer.

Have you looked into a protein skimmer? That skimmer will only reduce what is on top, not in the water itself. A protein skimmer takes the oil out of the water. Don't know if you have a sump or not, but you can put one in there or get a hob (that it's what I have).

 

[chaserdogg01]

Have you looked into a protein skimmer? That skimmer will only reduce what is on top, not in the water itself. A protein skimmer takes the oil out of the water. Don't know if you have a sump or not, but you can put one in there or get a hob (that it's what I have).

Which HOB skimmer are you running? I do not have a sump and also have a rimmed tank so wasn't sure there were many options. Thanks!

 

[Mongo1.0]

Have you looked into a protein skimmer? That skimmer will only reduce what is on top, not in the water itself. A protein skimmer takes the oil out of the water. Don't know if you have a sump or not, but you can put one in there or get a hob (that it's what I have).

Which HOB skimmer are you running? I do not have a sump and also have a rimmed tank so wasn't sure there were many options. Thanks!

https://a.co/d/6v27Jx8
This is the one I have. They reduce the load on your filter also. Some people run them all the time. I just look at my phosphates or film on top and run accordingly.

 

[chaserdogg01]

Hi everyone, little update here.

I did some further research and think that it could have to do a bit with my flow throughout the tank and surface agitation. I ordered a couple powerheads to create a complete gyration in the tank (currently only have one powerhead) and one to gently disrupt the surface and increase gas exchange.

Will give that the weekend and see how it fairs, but planning on replacing carbon and mechanical filtration this coming Monday with the weekly water change. Attached are some pics of the nitrate test I just ran too.

Thanks!

 

[Mongo1.0]

Hi everyone, little update here.

I did some further research and think that it could have to do a bit with my flow throughout the tank and surface agitation. I ordered a couple powerheads to create a complete gyration in the tank (currently only have one powerhead) and one to gently disrupt the surface and increase gas exchange.

Will give that the weekend and see how it fairs, but planning on replacing carbon and mechanical filtration this coming Monday with the weekly water change. Attached are some pics of the nitrate test I just ran too.

Thanks!

Yeah, surface agitation will help with the film especially. I have bubble stones going on mine. Added them when I was trying to get rid of something, forgot what it was. It was a suggestion for a treatment I was doing and just left them in there.

Many people don't like testing kit you are using due to accuracy. I invested money in Hanna test kits as a recommendation. If you go that route, look at the multiple test units, I could have saved money if I had. I still use the one you have for my freshwater tank. I am not one of the experts, just letting you know what I have run across. But, if I can help, I will. This is a learning curve for everyone. You and myself are on the start of the curve. There are some super smart people here, look at the discussions here and take notes. It can save you time, money and frustration. Good luck!

 

[CUSO4]

Don’t worry , all new tanks go thru a cloudy phase at about 6 months, until the bacteria on your hard surfaces have matured sufficiently. My tank took about 6 weeks to clear and it seemed like an eternity