Added Carbon = Water Cloudy

SmithErick · 04/21/2010, 02:07 PM

Been having an algae breakout / cloudy water (new tank). While I get the funds together for a Phos and Carbon reactor I picked up some activated carbon and a filter bag from the LFS. Water Parameters tested perfect last night, added the bag an hour ago and the water seemed to become more cloudy.

Does carbon take a little time to take effect? I didn't think it could make it worse......

Any ideas?

klepto · 04/21/2010, 02:14 PM

That doesn't sound right.. Did you rinse the carbon before adding it to your sump? What type of carbon was it and how much did you add?

Also, How old is your tank? when you say 'new'
How many LED's are you running?
Could something be dying off because of the change in water clarity?

SmithErick · 04/21/2010, 02:27 PM

I actually have it hanging in my display in front of a powerhead to push water through it. My sump is in the process of being built so the only means of filtration is rock and a temporary AC30.

Carbon was rinsed before placing it in tank.

New as in a month and a half. Used dry rock, seeded it with live rock and sand, went through a cycle, diatom bloom and then water parameters were perfect.

8.3 PH
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
0 Nitrate

I am running 24 LEDS (12 CW and 12 RB).

Livestock is acting healthy as can be (True Perc, Chromis, Royal Gramma, Snails, and Hermits)

bertoni · 04/21/2010, 03:26 PM

I'm not sure what's happening, but I'd give the tank a day to settle. That might be too much flow over the carbon. I'd take a look and see whether there's any signs of the carbon being ground up.

04/21/2010, 02:07 PM	#1
SmithErick Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 58	Added Carbon = Water Cloudy Been having an algae breakout / cloudy water (new tank). While I get the funds together for a Phos and Carbon reactor I picked up some activated carbon and a filter bag from the LFS. Water Parameters tested perfect last night, added the bag an hour ago and the water seemed to become more cloudy. Does carbon take a little time to take effect? I didn't think it could make it worse...... Any ideas? __________________ Erick Smith smith.erick@mac.com Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 30gal Oceanic Cube, Custom 16gal sump,Lifereef Overflow,Ehiem Return Pump, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, VorTech MP10-ES Powerhead, Tunze Osmolator, and DIY LED Fixture & Enclosure

04/21/2010, 02:14 PM	#2
klepto Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 1,955	That doesn't sound right.. Did you rinse the carbon before adding it to your sump? What type of carbon was it and how much did you add? Also, How old is your tank? when you say 'new' How many LED's are you running? Could something be dying off because of the change in water clarity? __________________ Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation. Stephen C. Paul

04/21/2010, 02:27 PM	#3
SmithErick Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 58	I actually have it hanging in my display in front of a powerhead to push water through it. My sump is in the process of being built so the only means of filtration is rock and a temporary AC30. Carbon was rinsed before placing it in tank. New as in a month and a half. Used dry rock, seeded it with live rock and sand, went through a cycle, diatom bloom and then water parameters were perfect. 8.3 PH 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate I am running 24 LEDS (12 CW and 12 RB). Livestock is acting healthy as can be (True Perc, Chromis, Royal Gramma, Snails, and Hermits) __________________ Erick Smith smith.erick@mac.com Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 30gal Oceanic Cube, Custom 16gal sump,Lifereef Overflow,Ehiem Return Pump, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, VorTech MP10-ES Powerhead, Tunze Osmolator, and DIY LED Fixture & Enclosure

04/21/2010, 03:26 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm not sure what's happening, but I'd give the tank a day to settle. That might be too much flow over the carbon. I'd take a look and see whether there's any signs of the carbon being ground up. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

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