My tank turned brown!!

[Kraff813]

Its the GFO in the water. It is all easily broken down even if rinsed it essentially becomes dust. Especially if the water flow through the bag or reactor is too fast. Definitely change water ASAP and use a mechanical filter to remove the rest. Its literally rust water right now. ;)

Thanks for this input!

 

[exnisstech]

As already mentioned it looks like GFO dust to me. I prefer to use rowaphos instead of bulk GFO because it's much cleaner. Its more expensive but worth it too me since only run it as needed so I don't go through a lot.

 

[Kraff813]

As already mentioned it looks like GFO dust to me. I prefer to use rowaphos instead of bulk GFO because it's much cleaner. Its more expensive but worth it too me since only run it as needed so I don't go through a lot.

Any tips to clean this up? Making water now to do a 50% water change.

 

[sgdnycct]

I believe your need a micron filter. Small micron sock would probably do it. Better than water changes I’d assume as it also settles on everything.

 

[exnisstech]

Could also get a really small micron filter and syphon through that into a bucket and you can reuse the water.

EDIT: If you have a canister or hob filter laying around that could be filled up with floss and used.

 

[Ziggy17]

Any tips to clean this up? Making water now to do a 50% water change.

Put floss in the sock. Add carbon. Simple.

 

[Ziggy17]

The reactor has been on for about 6 months. I just cleaned it/changed media this go around.

Not what I asked, but ok. You may not need to pull PO4 out. Lots of tanks run great at .3 - .4, that’s why I asked. .03 isn’t really a thing anymore.

 

[Kraff813]

Could also get a really small micron filter and syphon through that into a bucket and you can reuse the water.

EDIT: If you have a canister or hob filter laying around that could be filled up with floss and used.

Great idea with the reusing water. It’s looking better after the water change. I can actually see my rockscape.

 

[Kraff813]

Not what I asked, but ok. You may not need to pull PO4 out. Lots of tanks run great at .3 - .4, that’s why I asked. .03 isn’t really a thing anymore.

It was HIGH before I started using it and I had this funk algae growing. Once I got it under control 0.1 the algae vanished. So that’s where I try to keep it. I also don’t test religiously. Maybe once a month. I’m going to keep it off the tank. I’ll see what my phos hangs at.

 

[robanister]

Yes plz

 

[Ziggy17]

Yes plz

Haha, that’s awesome.

 

[Kraff813]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and assistance. Looking much better today. Rockwork still rusty looking, but a handful of corals have started opening up.

 

[robanister]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and assistance. Looking much better today. Rockwork still rusty looking, but a handful of corals have started opening up.

Well I guess you learned your all in one filtration sucks. If it was rowaphos you were OK the whole time. Also you should flush till clear next time in ro wayer. If you have a skimmer I would have used coral snow ca carbonate to pull the fine particles out. You should probably test your phosphate if you haven't already.

 

[sgdnycct]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and assistance. Looking much better today. Rockwork still rusty looking, but a handful of corals have started opening up.

Glad it’s getting better!

 

[The Ugly Phase]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and assistance. Looking much better today. Rockwork still rusty looking, but a handful of corals have started opening up.

glad everything worked out and that it only looked worse than it was

 

[Peter Houde]

You obviously don't need one more person (me) to tell you it was just GFO, but it was and I will BECAUSE... I might add that it had to do with your rate of flow through the reactor. You can rinse until it runs clear but then dislodge a whole lot more particulate if you unintentionally bump up the flow rate. Just a thought.

 

[Foneman02]

5 days ago I changed out the only filter sock and the GFO media.

I pumped fresh tap water through the media reactor to get the dust out of the GFO. I forgot to empty the tap out of the media canister. 2 days later my tank turned to brown soup.

I’m assuming this is a diatom bloom or brown bacteria bloom. I have a UV sterilizer on the tank - although brand new, the bulb filament looks weird and I don’t think it’s working properly.

Parameters are normal. Phosphate 0.075 and nitrate 0.6. I aim for the 10x rule.

Do I sit and let it burn itself out? It’s killing me to not do like a 50% water change.

If you can find an old diatom filter it would clear that tank in a few hours. It uses diatomaceous earth to trap fine particles in its base. I still have one from the 90’s and use it occasionally when i have a cloudy tank. Agter cleaning the sand. Good luck