New tank syndrome???

beginner_reefer

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
175
Reaction score
136
Location
Ozona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Why would my tank have a yellow dirty looking tint to it? Started the cycle 1 week ago. Added Dr. Tim's one and only and been dosing Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride a little at a time every other day and checking pH, nitrites and nitrates in between. For some reason it looks like there is a film on the inside of the glass that is light yellow in color. Almost "dirty" looking. Is this normal? The water is not cloudy just looks like a film on the glass.

Reply
 

GoVols

Cobb / Webb - 1989
View Badges
Joined
Nov 29, 2016
Messages
13,078
Reaction score
37,560
Location
In-The-Boro, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Why would my tank have a yellow dirty looking tint to it? Started the cycle 1 week ago. Added Dr. Tim's one and only and been dosing Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride a little at a time every other day and checking pH, nitrites and nitrates in between. For some reason it looks like there is a film on the inside of the glass that is light yellow in color. Almost "dirty" looking. Is this normal? The water is not cloudy just looks like a film on the glass.

Reply

The film coating could be Dr. Tim's one and only bacteria, collecting on your glass.
 

DrufusReef

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
138
Reaction score
203
Location
North Fort Myers
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yellow or smelly water can usually be fixed with carbon. You probably don't need a reactor and won't unless you have a huge tank (225g+). As simple media bag with high quality carbon placed in a high flow area of your sump/filter chamber will suffice
 

Jekyl

GSP is the devil and clowns are bad pets
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2019
Messages
11,258
Reaction score
15,477
Location
Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Have a powerhead running for flow and surface agitation?
 

nick_md

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 17, 2020
Messages
43
Reaction score
46
Location
Madison, WI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I try to keep things simple but I always have a bag of carbon in my sump. Seems essential to me to keep the water crystal clear.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
90,815
Reaction score
200,022
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
Several things can cause this. Tank appears too new for a skimmer to help with it.
If the ammonia or nitrite levels are elevated, then the biologicals or natural bacteria in the tank are not stabilized sufficiently to keep toxins in check. test the ammonia and nitrate levels. Hopefully youre not using an API test kit. . .. You may get false readings.
Organics will cause this also. Vacuum the gravel and make sure the filter is running at a normal output. If the filter is slow, odds are it's clogged with debris, which is another potential source of organics.
water source can be an issue also. . . Assure water is clear as you are adding it to the tank.
Blooms can also cause this whereas algae is trying to form and causing such tint.
Over carbon, I would do a slight water change and add chemipure elite which comes in a pouch which will lower any toxins, keep nitrate in check and polish your water.

After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.
 
OP
OP
beginner_reefer

beginner_reefer

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
175
Reaction score
136
Location
Ozona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Several things can cause this. Tank appears too new for a skimmer to help with it.
If the ammonia or nitrite levels are elevated, then the biologicals or natural bacteria in the tank are not stabilized sufficiently to keep toxins in check. test the ammonia and nitrate levels. Hopefully youre not using an API test kit. . .. You may get false readings.
Organics will cause this also. Vacuum the gravel and make sure the filter is running at a normal output. If the filter is slow, odds are it's clogged with debris, which is another potential source of organics.
water source can be an issue also. . . Assure water is clear as you are adding it to the tank.
Blooms can also cause this whereas algae is trying to form and causing such tint.
Over carbon, I would do a slight water change and add chemipure elite which comes in a pouch which will lower any toxins, keep nitrate in check and polish your water.

After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.
The tank hasn't even cycled for 14 days yet. Should I let it ride for now and see what happens? We aren't running the skimmer just yet.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
90,815
Reaction score
200,022
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
13   0   0

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 64 36.8%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 33.9%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 14.4%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 26 14.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
Back
Top