Something's wrong with my Cloudy QT

[Netotek]

5 Gallon Fluval Evo stock everything
Temp: 77.7 (Hanna)
1.026 SG (Hanna)
pH: 8.0 (Salifert)
Ammonia: 0.16 (Hanna)
Nitrites: 0.1 (Salifert)
Nitrates: 16.2 (Hanna)
Alkalinity: 9.0 (Hanna)

Inhabitants:
1 - Tuxedo Urchin
3 - Nassarius Snails

I feed the Urchin a fresh piece of Nori every other day (2 inch square folded over), and I feed the snails a small piece of frozen brine shrimp (1/8th of an inch or 0.5cm)
- I assume that they are eating, they are so small, I can't really tell.

This tank has been cloudy since I added the livestock to be QT'd (11 days now). I did a fishless cycle for a month before adding anything.

The snails are constantly on the glass and near the surface, and I'm worried about the tank.

Here's what I've done so far.
- Snails are hungry maybe? supplemented with pellet food - no effect
- cloudy water might be some sort of bacterial bloom and there may be reduced O2? added an airstone and more carbon into the back chamber- no effect
- Water quality maybe? I did a 50% water change tonight. maybe that'll help.. it can't hurt right?


I'm not a fan of how the tank looks so I'm thinking about turning it into a sand bottom and adding an aquascape. maybe having more rock in the tank will clear up the cloudyness? If I have to sacrifice the sand and rock for the next QT, so be it.

What can I do for the snails?

I'm lost, I feel like I'm just throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks..

 

[blaxsun]

What's your main tank?

 

[Netotek]

The DT is 13.5 Gallon Fluval Evo stock everything.

Currently has one clownfish in it. At one point I thought the cloudiness was due to the salt I was using to mix the water but the DT gets the same and the water in that tank is crystal clear.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Add air stone in case of bacterial bloom . Are you using any beneficial bacteria ? That will clear up water and it’s also beneficial for ammonia during qt

 

[Netotek]

Add air stone in case of bacterial bloom . Are you using any beneficial bacteria ? That will clear up water and it’s also beneficial for ammonia during qt

Air stone has been in there for a few days and the snails are still up by the water line.

I used MicroBacter Start XLM during the cycle (3times) but nothing since then.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Air stone has been in there for a few days and the snails are still up by the water line.

I used MicroBacter Start XLM during the cycle (3times) but nothing since then.

You should follow instructions . Dose everyday for first week then twice a week after ?

I know Macrobacter 7 has different instructions

Try water change with matching copper. That will clear up Any bacterial bloom. 50% wc ?