New Tank Advice, all help appreciated!

wmthunder36 · 08/29/2016, 04:53 PM

Hi, so about 3 days ago I setup my new 45 gallon tank. It has a Rena xp3 filter and a maxijet 600 powerhead in it. So when I primed it the priming tube wasn't totally full but I pulled down the black lever anyway bc it was taking FOREVER, but the filter filled and when I plugged it in it seemed to be working perfect, but I'm not sure if not filling the priming tube all the way caused these next issues.

So basically for some parts of the day my tank is totally clear, but then the outtake pumps out water and the tank has white particles all throughout it and it is not clear at other parts of the day. So I'm not to sure what the problem is there. And also my tank has micro bubbles in the corners of it and on my intake and powerhead.

If you guys have any advice on how to fix these issues or why it's happening I would really appreciate it!! Thanks

mcgyvr · 08/29/2016, 05:13 PM

some bubbles are totally normal on a new tank.. they will dissipate with time.. Just "new" surfaces and water..

Are these white particles... particles or bubbles?
Have you tried simply turning off the filter and attempting to get it fully primed again?

cloudy water is also fairly normal with new tanks.. sand gets kicked up, bacterial growth, etc...

Dkuhlmann · 08/29/2016, 05:17 PM

Your question is very loaded and covers several different issues. I highly recommend that you check the sticky in this forum with the red arrow called setting up.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

White particles can be many different things as well as the micro bubbles can be coming from several places. Without seeing pictures of your tank, how it's setup for the pump, any other pumps like powerheads as well as a skimmer it's hard to tell you any one or two things in particular. Also are you dosing anything in your tank? How long has it been setup and what all do you have in it as far as critters go and what you're feeding them.

I would look in the link I gave you as it's setup like a book with many chapters, you will be better able to understand what might be going on.

Priming a pump isn't difficult and can be done the way you did it or you can fill up the filter with water before you turn it on. And you can even just turn it on as long as the pump is submerged it will self prime. When in doubt what do the instructions say about priming it?

SO if you can post pictures of what I said then we might be able to help you better with a decent understanding of what's going on in your tank.

Welcome to Reef Central.

wmthunder36 · 08/29/2016, 05:22 PM

Ok, thank you all for the help. My tank has only been setup for 3 days so there are no fish in it. My instructions said to fill the priming tube with water until it's full. However it seemed like it was taking way to long to fill so I just pulled down the filling handle anyway so hopefully that didn't cause these issues. The white particles are not bubbles there are visible dust like particles. They aren't there sometimes other times they are. Does this mean my filter is just cleaning the water and it isn't all cleaned up yet? My substrate is white gravel but I rinsed it pretty well before putting it in. I can upload pictures if you guys think that will help.

wmthunder36 · 08/29/2016, 05:35 PM

@Dkuhlmann @mcgyvr, also all I used was de chlor and a tetra product that balances ph and eliminates nitrates and helps water become healthy

08/29/2016, 04:53 PM	#1
wmthunder36 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 5	New Tank Advice, all help appreciated! Hi, so about 3 days ago I setup my new 45 gallon tank. It has a Rena xp3 filter and a maxijet 600 powerhead in it. So when I primed it the priming tube wasn't totally full but I pulled down the black lever anyway bc it was taking FOREVER, but the filter filled and when I plugged it in it seemed to be working perfect, but I'm not sure if not filling the priming tube all the way caused these next issues. So basically for some parts of the day my tank is totally clear, but then the outtake pumps out water and the tank has white particles all throughout it and it is not clear at other parts of the day. So I'm not to sure what the problem is there. And also my tank has micro bubbles in the corners of it and on my intake and powerhead. If you guys have any advice on how to fix these issues or why it's happening I would really appreciate it!! Thanks

08/29/2016, 05:13 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	some bubbles are totally normal on a new tank.. they will dissipate with time.. Just "new" surfaces and water.. Are these white particles... particles or bubbles? Have you tried simply turning off the filter and attempting to get it fully primed again? cloudy water is also fairly normal with new tanks.. sand gets kicked up, bacterial growth, etc... __________________ Who me?

08/29/2016, 05:17 PM	#3
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Your question is very loaded and covers several different issues. I highly recommend that you check the sticky in this forum with the red arrow called setting up. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 White particles can be many different things as well as the micro bubbles can be coming from several places. Without seeing pictures of your tank, how it's setup for the pump, any other pumps like powerheads as well as a skimmer it's hard to tell you any one or two things in particular. Also are you dosing anything in your tank? How long has it been setup and what all do you have in it as far as critters go and what you're feeding them. I would look in the link I gave you as it's setup like a book with many chapters, you will be better able to understand what might be going on. Priming a pump isn't difficult and can be done the way you did it or you can fill up the filter with water before you turn it on. And you can even just turn it on as long as the pump is submerged it will self prime. When in doubt what do the instructions say about priming it? SO if you can post pictures of what I said then we might be able to help you better with a decent understanding of what's going on in your tank. Welcome to Reef Central. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

08/29/2016, 05:22 PM	#4
wmthunder36 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 5	Ok, thank you all for the help. My tank has only been setup for 3 days so there are no fish in it. My instructions said to fill the priming tube with water until it's full. However it seemed like it was taking way to long to fill so I just pulled down the filling handle anyway so hopefully that didn't cause these issues. The white particles are not bubbles there are visible dust like particles. They aren't there sometimes other times they are. Does this mean my filter is just cleaning the water and it isn't all cleaned up yet? My substrate is white gravel but I rinsed it pretty well before putting it in. I can upload pictures if you guys think that will help.

08/29/2016, 05:35 PM	#5
wmthunder36 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 5	@Dkuhlmann @mcgyvr, also all I used was de chlor and a tetra product that balances ph and eliminates nitrates and helps water become healthy