Cloudy water while cycling my 20 gallon nano aquarium

[CaymanNano]

I just started a custom build 20 gallon nano tank. I've used tap water in addition with water conditioner and instant ocean salt mix. After about two days when the salt was fully dissolved, I've added sand and live rock that I've collected from the seaside (Cayman Islands).

The water was clear on the first, through to the second day when I added the live rock and sand. However, on the third day I've noticed dead worms and other creatures was coming from out the rocks (Is this normal?)

On the fourth day I went to my pet supply and got Bio-Spira (live nitrifying bacteria, from instant ocean)....... Do you think this would help with the cycling process and with the cloudy water? Please help!!!!! Its been a week now

I'm also planing on getting a protein skimmer............ Typhoon or biocube protein skimmer.

I'm currently running a marine land canister filtration system, aqueox power head (500 gph), aqueon LED light. Temperature in the tank is 72.7 F, salt level is 1.021

I also collected some hermit crabs on the day I had gotten the live rock and sand, sad to say they had past away on day 3

Someone please help!!!!!!

I'm heading to my pet store today to get a test kit............

[julie180]

Because tap water has unknown chemicals in it, you could have contaminated your tank and that's what killed the live rock and hermits.

Cloudy after adding sand is common. It can take days to clear up.

Have you considered just using ocean water since you are close?

[alf1096]

I would bump the temp 78 to 82

[CaymanNano]

Yes I've used ocean water in my past tanks but it contains parasites. Should I do a water change?

Just came from the pet store and got a oceanic biocube skimmer.......this might help get rid of the dead organic waste?

[CaymanNano]

[QUOTE=Julie180 Yes I've used ocean water in my past tanks but it contains parasites. Should I do a water change?

Just came from the pet store and got a oceanic biocube skimmer.......this might help get rid of the dead organic waste?[/QUOTE]

[cjobo]

Originally Posted by CaymanNano

Yes I've used ocean water in my past tanks but it contains parasites.

Wouldn't the sand and live rock that you collected from the seaside contain some of the same parasites?

[CaymanNano]

What's the best thing I should do;

Do a water change

Get new live rock

Get water from the sea

[Fish Biscuit]

Read the stickies at the top of this section. You are going way to fast.

I would take out as much water as you can out of the tank & either use water from the ocean or mix your salt with RO water. You can buy an RODI unit or buy RO water from the LFS. Leave the rock & sand.

Ditch the canister filter, they are nitrate factories. You won't need the skimmer until there is livestock in the tank.

You need to let the tank cycle. Put in a pinch of flake food every day or every other day to get the cycle started. I did this for a month & then tested water before I added anything.

If parameters are fine, start with a few inverts. Give the tank a few weeks to adjust to the bioload and add a few more or add a fish. If you are going to QT your fish, now is the time to do it so the tank can mature a little.

[froggernutz]

bacteria bloom