What’s happening here?

[lushuk]

Hi guys, the snow globe is breaking me, can anybody explain what’s happening and what to do,
I’m using 2 part
Alk 7.5
Cal 400
Mag 1360
Tank been running around 4 month, I stopped dosing for 3 weeks with no effect, I’ve run a canister on it and it slowly clears when I turn it of it reappears, it’s like a snow globe in there ‍

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Upload to YouTube then post video

 

[Macbalacano]

Video is of a fish store? Not sure if its the right video.

 

[lushuk]

Thanks guys, schoolboy error

 

[lushuk]

Try again, thanks

 

[PharmrJohn]

What are your salinity and pH numbers?

 

[lushuk]

Salinity 1.026
Ph 7.91-8.16
Thanks

 

[Cichlid Dad]

How are you adding ALK and calcium. Both product and method of delivery. I suspect this is the issue.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there any mechanical filtration or settling area anywhere to remove random detritus solids?

 

[Miami Reef]

Do you keep corals in the tank or just fish? Just curious.

 

[lushuk]

Thank you for the replies,
Alk and ca are added by 2 part at least 30 mins apart into the return section of the sump at currently around 8ml per day via a doser.
The tank is fitted with a filter roller 24/7 which in normal circumstances 100% of the water passes through, also a skimmer which appears to work as should.

 

[Miami Reef]

The solution is to point the powerheads toward the overflow. The issue mainly is on the water surface, right?

My tank gets the same thing if I don’t have enough surface agitation pointed to the overflows.

 

[lushuk]

The bits are through the whole tank which contains fish and coral

 

[Lavey29]

Are you sure you even need to be dosing a 4 month tank? Typically water changes are all that is needed on new tanks.

 

[Miami Reef]

Are you sure you even need to be dosing a 4 month tank? Typically water changes are all that is needed on new tanks.

Dosing is cheaper and easier than changing water.

 

[Lavey29]

Dosing is cheaper and easier than changing water.

Not sure about that would have to crunch the numbers and see but dosing doesn't control nutrients levels or remove impurities from the water either. I was thinking more that a 4 month tank really isn't consuming alk or cal much at all to necessitate dosing. This is typically ugly phase time where tanks are unstable and water changes help maintain balance while you scrape and siphon algae and filter your sand.

 

[lushuk]

well I'm using 8ml per day, my frags are basing and coralline algae is encrusting so it was on that basis rightly or wrongly

 

[WaterLab2.0]

well I'm using 8ml per day, my frags are basing and coralline algae is encrusting so it was on that basis rightly or wrongly

Have any pics of the coraline? If you just have frags in there, 8ml of A and B each seems a bit drastic. What method of testing alk/ca are you using? Can we get a pic of the entire tank with white lighting? This will help a LOT.

 

[Lavey29]

well I'm using 8ml per day, my frags are basing and coralline algae is encrusting so it was on that basis rightly or wrongly

And it's not sand blowing around right?

Also if using 2 part, the alk containers forms a chunky block inside and needs to be shaken thoroughly periodically. Perhaps those white things floating around are pieces of this alk chunk in the container.

 

[Miami Reef]

well I'm using 8ml per day, my frags are basing and coralline algae is encrusting so it was on that basis rightly or wrongly

Keep it up! It’s awesome you’re getting coral growth this soon — you’re doing something right!