Mystery Water Problem

[saltburns]

Couldn't get a pic of the scum is only a small amount now since I've been skimming heavily. Also wanted to say that when I did the big water change that the water was fairly clear for 2days, got all excited and then third day everything was back to crap. Under the lights it looks like smoke rolling through the water. Anyway here are pics one of course is a before, sorry only have my cheap phone camera

Well I don't see the pics. I am a computer ijit. They really didn't show much anyway, just cloudy water

 

[Brew12]

Well I don't see the pics. I am a computer ijit. They really didn't show much anyway, just cloudy water

No air fresheners, candles burning, spraying Lysol/Fabreeze?

 

[saltburns]

No air fresheners, candles burning, spraying Lysol/Fabreeze?

I do all kinds of those things in the house but always careful to keep it from the tank. Have been doing saltwater for 10 years now. Never had this problem. When I did the 75% water change a few weeks ago it only took a couple of days to return to the cloudiness. It makes me think that there is something in there "disintegrating" or perhaps it is some kind of bacteria as some of the other folks have suggested.

 

[Brew12]

Air fresheners and other similar products use alcohol to carry the scents around your house. If this gets into your tank it can cause a bacteria bloom. All the research I have done says that it is a clear to milky white, relatively slimy bacteria that can repopulate very quickly. Can't say this is the problem, but I wouldn't rule it out yet.
Has something changed in your house that could be causing your air fresheners to be making it into your tank? Leaving different doors or windows open, changing ventilation in your room with the aquarium, or something else that could have changed either the air flow in your house or increased air exchange in your tank? Or maybe where you make your RODI?

 

[Brew12]

It makes me think that there is something in there "disintegrating" or perhaps it is some kind of bacteria as some of the other folks have suggested.

I would encourage you to read this and see if the symptoms look familiar and maybe it will help you think of something that may have changed to cause it.
http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/mystery-white-reef-slime

 

[GEP0934]

what type of subrate do you have? Sand? I have a tomato clown that loves to digs holes and stir up the bottom. It clouds the water.

 

[saltburns]

On my way to work but will definitely read the article. Thanks everyone!