Why is water cloudy?

lchaleff · 02/03/2012, 07:30 AM

So I have a new glass 150g tank that I am in the process of setting up as ultimately a FOWLR.

At this point all I have done is filled the tank up (and sump) with RO/DI water....brought the water up to 77 degrees (maintaining) have the pumps running and I added the salt mix to bring the SG up to 1.025.

I have left it running like this doing nothing else (no lights are on the tank yet) for 2 weeks...only doing ro/di water top offs as evaporation occurs...

Yet my water is cloudy...what could be going on and how can I clear it up.

I have yet to add any live rock and or sand.

I have tested water as well and have a PH of 7.8, nitrite of 0, nitrate of 0 and ammonia is at 0.5ppm.

Also I am running my super reef octopus xp-2000sss protien skimmer in the sump (not really doing anything yet obviously, but figured I would let it break in).

I also have two Koralla Evolution 1400 gph power heads running in the tank full time.

So why do I have cloudy water?

Thanks

ihavtats29 · 02/03/2012, 09:32 AM

may be some type of bacteria population bloom in your tank putting a film on your glass or free floating , also try running some carbon. a uv sterilizer may also help

nanojg · 02/03/2012, 09:45 AM

did you clean anything with vinegar?

sporto0 · 02/03/2012, 11:57 AM

Do your silicone seals have a white precipitate on it? It's never a good idea to mix the salt in the tank, especially a 150g tank, did you add all the water first & then all the salt? I would venture a guess that is your problem, it is far easier to get the salt & additives to dissolve in smaller increments, 5-10g at a time than dumping 150g worth of salt in a tank all at once. Some elements tend to precipitate out quickly when added in large amounts, you may have to do water changes to resolve this cloudiness, I don't think it's a bacterial bloom, especially since there is no sand or rock or livestock in the tank.

lchaleff · 02/03/2012, 09:33 PM

Didn't clean anything with vinegar.

I did fill the tank first with water and then with the powerheads running and the sump running I added the salt mix directly into the tank, however I did not dump it all in in one shot...I spent a few hrs adding a lb or so at a time till it completely dissolved and then continued this rocess till the SG was at the right level.

The silicone is clear so in the water does it have a white precipitate on it....hard to exactly say...I mean if you mean a chalky white coating...definitely not....looks a little whiteish or lighter yes but I think thats just the reflection of the water on it.

sporto0 · 02/03/2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lchaleff

Didn't clean anything with vinegar.

I did fill the tank first with water and then with the powerheads running and the sump running I added the salt mix directly into the tank, however I did not dump it all in in one shot...I spent a few hrs adding a lb or so at a time till it completely dissolved and then continued this rocess till the SG was at the right level.

The silicone is clear so in the water does it have a white precipitate on it....hard to exactly say...I mean if you mean a chalky white coating...definitely not....looks a little whiteish or lighter yes but I think thats just the reflection of the water on it.

Ok so the water was clear for a few days then?

lchaleff · 02/04/2012, 10:04 AM

yes water started out clear..after the salt mix it got cloudy...

Sport507 · 02/04/2012, 11:01 AM

So your tank is completely bare correct, nothing but water? Did you do anything to try to make it cycle and you have a sump?

sporto0 · 02/04/2012, 12:39 PM

I would suggest that it is still from the salt mix, do some water changes with pre-mixed 5g buckets of saltwater that you know is clear, see if this starts to clear things up & I suppose running GAC (granulated activated carbon) could not hurt. Give us an update in a few days.

lchaleff · 02/04/2012, 09:56 PM

Ok will try and see what happens.....what would be the best way to run the carbon? In a filter sock hung in the sump? Or is there a better way to run the water thru the carbon.

sporto0 · 02/04/2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lchaleff

Ok will try and see what happens.....what would be the best way to run the carbon? In a filter sock hung in the sump? Or is there a better way to run the water thru the carbon.

If you have an HOB filter like an Aquaclear, it's best used this way, but a filter sock in the sump with good flow is also a viable option.

imolaragazzo · 02/04/2012, 10:44 PM

Did you use brand new salt or has it been sitting for a while and exposed to air? What brand of salt?

lchaleff · 02/07/2012, 08:31 AM

Well decided to move foward and added cured live rock (approx 200lbs)...after 24 hrs the tank became crystal clear...didn't add carbon nor do anything...going to let it cycle for a week or two and then onto the next step...

02/03/2012, 07:30 AM	#1
lchaleff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 62	Why is water cloudy? So I have a new glass 150g tank that I am in the process of setting up as ultimately a FOWLR. At this point all I have done is filled the tank up (and sump) with RO/DI water....brought the water up to 77 degrees (maintaining) have the pumps running and I added the salt mix to bring the SG up to 1.025. I have left it running like this doing nothing else (no lights are on the tank yet) for 2 weeks...only doing ro/di water top offs as evaporation occurs... Yet my water is cloudy...what could be going on and how can I clear it up. I have yet to add any live rock and or sand. I have tested water as well and have a PH of 7.8, nitrite of 0, nitrate of 0 and ammonia is at 0.5ppm. Also I am running my super reef octopus xp-2000sss protien skimmer in the sump (not really doing anything yet obviously, but figured I would let it break in). I also have two Koralla Evolution 1400 gph power heads running in the tank full time. So why do I have cloudy water? Thanks

02/03/2012, 09:32 AM	#2
ihavtats29 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cordova , TN Posts: 2,882	may be some type of bacteria population bloom in your tank putting a film on your glass or free floating , also try running some carbon. a uv sterilizer may also help __________________ got reef? Current Tank Info: 29 biocube HQI

02/04/2012, 11:01 AM	#8
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	So your tank is completely bare correct, nothing but water? Did you do anything to try to make it cycle and you have a sump? __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

02/03/2012, 09:45 AM	#3
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	did you clean anything with vinegar?

02/03/2012, 11:57 AM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Do your silicone seals have a white precipitate on it? It's never a good idea to mix the salt in the tank, especially a 150g tank, did you add all the water first & then all the salt? I would venture a guess that is your problem, it is far easier to get the salt & additives to dissolve in smaller increments, 5-10g at a time than dumping 150g worth of salt in a tank all at once. Some elements tend to precipitate out quickly when added in large amounts, you may have to do water changes to resolve this cloudiness, I don't think it's a bacterial bloom, especially since there is no sand or rock or livestock in the tank.

02/03/2012, 09:33 PM	#5
lchaleff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 62	Didn't clean anything with vinegar. I did fill the tank first with water and then with the powerheads running and the sump running I added the salt mix directly into the tank, however I did not dump it all in in one shot...I spent a few hrs adding a lb or so at a time till it completely dissolved and then continued this rocess till the SG was at the right level. The silicone is clear so in the water does it have a white precipitate on it....hard to exactly say...I mean if you mean a chalky white coating...definitely not....looks a little whiteish or lighter yes but I think thats just the reflection of the water on it.

02/04/2012, 10:04 AM	#7
lchaleff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 62	yes water started out clear..after the salt mix it got cloudy...

02/04/2012, 12:39 PM	#9
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	I would suggest that it is still from the salt mix, do some water changes with pre-mixed 5g buckets of saltwater that you know is clear, see if this starts to clear things up & I suppose running GAC (granulated activated carbon) could not hurt. Give us an update in a few days.

02/04/2012, 09:56 PM	#10
lchaleff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 62	Ok will try and see what happens.....what would be the best way to run the carbon? In a filter sock hung in the sump? Or is there a better way to run the water thru the carbon.

02/04/2012, 10:44 PM	#12
imolaragazzo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Lafayette, IN Posts: 160	Did you use brand new salt or has it been sitting for a while and exposed to air? What brand of salt?

02/07/2012, 08:31 AM	#13
lchaleff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 62	Well decided to move foward and added cured live rock (approx 200lbs)...after 24 hrs the tank became crystal clear...didn't add carbon nor do anything...going to let it cycle for a week or two and then onto the next step...