Water Clarity issues

Cobrasvt1999 · 02/08/2016, 12:46 AM

So I am having issues with my new 56 column tank. The water is good on all chems (ammonia, nitrates, ect), however, when under the LED lights, it is full of dust particles.

There are also microbubbles, but I know those come from the protein skimmers. I just need to find a way to prevent them from making it to the return pump (I have baffles installed already).

However, the real confusion comes from the dust particles. I am running a felt sock and was hoping those would catch it... but with no luck

Any suggestion?

Thanks!

Member No. 1 · 02/08/2016, 04:06 AM

How "New" is new?
Depending on what you are using for substrate and what kind of in tank flow you have, you might be seeing substrate particulate in the water column.
Hence the question, as the tank matures, the substrate gets "coated" with bacterial growth to help weight it down and bind it together.

Get rid of the micro bubbles first, then let things settle. Assuming you don't have to much flow thru your sump, or in your tank stirring up the substrate, it will clear.

homer1475 · 02/08/2016, 04:46 AM

A small sump sponge wedged between one of the baffles before the return pump will help with the micro bubbles. BUT and this is a big BUT, you have to change them out on a regular basis or they become a nitrate factory.

Are you sure the micro bubbles are from the skimmer and not a small air leak in your return plumbing somewhere?

Rhygar666 · 02/08/2016, 04:48 AM

what skimmer do you use?
i had a tunze doc skimmer 9004 bubbling like hell, after taking it apart it stopped, also look that youre skim cup sits correctly

A.Astore · 02/08/2016, 07:13 AM

+1 on the bacteria coating the sand dust particles. I actually added BioSpira to help try and make it settle faster. Also, are you changing your sock out enough that it is not overflowing? I know the first few days I had to change it out more than once a day to keep it from overflowing and allowing the particles to just recycle back through.

Once the carbon reactor and UV were finally able to be turned on the very small amount of haze that was still there at day three all cleared completely. Are you sure that a powerhead in the tank is not causing the sand to be constantly stirred? That would be one other thing you may want to check on.

scooter31707 · 02/08/2016, 11:24 AM

What type of filter sock are you using? I like to use the 110 or 200 micron sock. For as the microbubbles, it's most likely coming from your filter not being in the recommend water level in your sump. Check manufacturers recommendation of the water level. you may have to add or subtract some water. Most skimmers are recommended a 7-10 inches to operate properly.

Cobrasvt1999 · 02/08/2016, 06:31 PM

the tank is about 2 months old at this point. I beleive it is a 200 micron sock, but im not 100% on that.

as for microbubbles, they seem to come and go for some reason. Today, nothing but the dust. Im thinking about working some filter floss into the baffles.

02/08/2016, 12:46 AM	#1
Cobrasvt1999 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 141	Water Clarity issues So I am having issues with my new 56 column tank. The water is good on all chems (ammonia, nitrates, ect), however, when under the LED lights, it is full of dust particles. There are also microbubbles, but I know those come from the protein skimmers. I just need to find a way to prevent them from making it to the return pump (I have baffles installed already). However, the real confusion comes from the dust particles. I am running a felt sock and was hoping those would catch it... but with no luck Any suggestion? Thanks!

02/08/2016, 04:06 AM	#2
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	How "New" is new? Depending on what you are using for substrate and what kind of in tank flow you have, you might be seeing substrate particulate in the water column. Hence the question, as the tank matures, the substrate gets "coated" with bacterial growth to help weight it down and bind it together. Get rid of the micro bubbles first, then let things settle. Assuming you don't have to much flow thru your sump, or in your tank stirring up the substrate, it will clear. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

02/08/2016, 04:46 AM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	A small sump sponge wedged between one of the baffles before the return pump will help with the micro bubbles. BUT and this is a big BUT, you have to change them out on a regular basis or they become a nitrate factory. Are you sure the micro bubbles are from the skimmer and not a small air leak in your return plumbing somewhere? __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

02/08/2016, 04:48 AM	#4
Rhygar666 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 134	what skimmer do you use? i had a tunze doc skimmer 9004 bubbling like hell, after taking it apart it stopped, also look that youre skim cup sits correctly

02/08/2016, 07:13 AM	#5
A.Astore Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Waynesboro, VA Posts: 418	+1 on the bacteria coating the sand dust particles. I actually added BioSpira to help try and make it settle faster. Also, are you changing your sock out enough that it is not overflowing? I know the first few days I had to change it out more than once a day to keep it from overflowing and allowing the particles to just recycle back through. Once the carbon reactor and UV were finally able to be turned on the very small amount of haze that was still there at day three all cleared completely. Are you sure that a powerhead in the tank is not causing the sand to be constantly stirred? That would be one other thing you may want to check on.

02/08/2016, 11:24 AM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	What type of filter sock are you using? I like to use the 110 or 200 micron sock. For as the microbubbles, it's most likely coming from your filter not being in the recommend water level in your sump. Check manufacturers recommendation of the water level. you may have to add or subtract some water. Most skimmers are recommended a 7-10 inches to operate properly.

02/08/2016, 06:31 PM	#7
Cobrasvt1999 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 141	the tank is about 2 months old at this point. I beleive it is a 200 micron sock, but im not 100% on that. as for microbubbles, they seem to come and go for some reason. Today, nothing but the dust. Im thinking about working some filter floss into the baffles.