Cloudy Water in JBJ 28g Nano?

Gagonzalez · 07/07/2012, 11:37 AM

Quick question. I just placed a few pieces of Live Rock into my new tank and am starting to cycle. It's now 5 days and the last 3 days, the water has been cloudy in the morning when my lights come on. Throughout the day, it seems to clear up. Then, the next morning, it starts again.

I just completed a 3g water change (Have 21g's total water so about 15%) to see if it helps any. Diatoms started to grow the last few days on the sand and walls so I did clean the Plexi.

Parameters currently:

Temp = 78-81 thru the day
Sal = 1.025
Amm = 0
Nitri = 0
Nitra = 5
Phos = 0
Alk = 7dkh

Running a Fluval 204 with Chemi-Pure, Purigen and Filter Floss for now.

My guess is I'm getting a flood of diatoms in the water. As of today, it does look like the brown diatoms on the sand are starting to recede a bit.

Can anyone tell me what is probably happening? Thanks.

Noobtosalty · 07/07/2012, 11:48 AM

if your tank is cycling you should not change your water....... from what i have heard

Gagonzalez · 07/07/2012, 02:40 PM

That's not how I understand it.......unless you want everything to pretty much die. Water changes provide proper water chemistry while leaving Nitrifying Bacteria in the Rock and Sand to grow. I do know you do not remove the rock or disturb the sand bed.

Thanks

ramdude · 07/07/2012, 02:46 PM

My old JBJ would be cloudy just a tad. I would throw new carbon in with polish pads and next day it was clear ?

Gagonzalez · 07/07/2012, 08:41 PM

I can give that a try. I'll open up the fluval and clean the sponges and replace the filter floss in there but it's only been in for a few weeks with nothing in the tank until 5 days ago. New Rock is all that was added. I don't think 5 days is enough time to clog all 4 sponges and filter floss that much. I guess it doesn't hurt to check. The JBJ also has the little 3 chamber unit too. Should probably remove the ceramic bio pellets and carbon it came with. Can I just put filter floss in those chambers instead since I have the fluval anyway?

Any one have anything else I should try?

FishAddict413 · 07/13/2012, 03:56 PM

your powerheads might be kicking up sand as well.

07/07/2012, 11:37 AM	#1
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	Cloudy Water in JBJ 28g Nano? Quick question. I just placed a few pieces of Live Rock into my new tank and am starting to cycle. It's now 5 days and the last 3 days, the water has been cloudy in the morning when my lights come on. Throughout the day, it seems to clear up. Then, the next morning, it starts again. I just completed a 3g water change (Have 21g's total water so about 15%) to see if it helps any. Diatoms started to grow the last few days on the sand and walls so I did clean the Plexi. Parameters currently: Temp = 78-81 thru the day Sal = 1.025 Amm = 0 Nitri = 0 Nitra = 5 Phos = 0 Alk = 7dkh Running a Fluval 204 with Chemi-Pure, Purigen and Filter Floss for now. My guess is I'm getting a flood of diatoms in the water. As of today, it does look like the brown diatoms on the sand are starting to recede a bit. Can anyone tell me what is probably happening? Thanks.

07/07/2012, 11:48 AM	#2
Noobtosalty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vermont Posts: 410	if your tank is cycling you should not change your water....... from what i have heard __________________ 29 gallon reef tank started 6/23/2012 20 gallon refugium 55 pounds of crystal reef sand 35 pounds of live rock

07/07/2012, 02:40 PM	#3
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	That's not how I understand it.......unless you want everything to pretty much die. Water changes provide proper water chemistry while leaving Nitrifying Bacteria in the Rock and Sand to grow. I do know you do not remove the rock or disturb the sand bed. Thanks

07/07/2012, 02:46 PM	#4
ramdude Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 70	My old JBJ would be cloudy just a tad. I would throw new carbon in with polish pads and next day it was clear ?

07/07/2012, 08:41 PM	#5
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	I can give that a try. I'll open up the fluval and clean the sponges and replace the filter floss in there but it's only been in for a few weeks with nothing in the tank until 5 days ago. New Rock is all that was added. I don't think 5 days is enough time to clog all 4 sponges and filter floss that much. I guess it doesn't hurt to check. The JBJ also has the little 3 chamber unit too. Should probably remove the ceramic bio pellets and carbon it came with. Can I just put filter floss in those chambers instead since I have the fluval anyway? Any one have anything else I should try?

07/13/2012, 03:56 PM	#6
FishAddict413 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 27	your powerheads might be kicking up sand as well.