Particles in water column

Chriscro · 11/14/2012, 11:45 PM

Hello folks, heres my issue:

My tank has been running about 6 months (125 gallon 6 footer) i have a SRO2000 reef octopus skimmer, ro/di, ATO, sump etc.. no chems or any additives besides Kalk (i had the issue of particles in the water from day one)

I have recently starting using filter socks, 200 micro for 3 weeks now rotating every two days and still can't get rid of these particles in the water. its not micro bubbles but rather just white particles in the water.

Ive used 130 pounds of marco dry rocks and 110 pounds of their dry sand.

Anyone had simiilar issues or might have a possible cause/solution for me. Its a mixed reef and isn't stocked too heavily, just a couple tangs, good CUC and some small chromic etc..

Any help would be appreciated.

hollister · 11/14/2012, 11:51 PM

Some type of canister filter or hang on back filter. Though i find the hob filters work real well.

But good water flow , and good feeding habits and staying under fish stock limit play a large roll. Could be one or all of the above.

Pittsburgh · 11/15/2012, 07:40 AM

Have you tried running some carbon? It tends to polish the water quite well...

Fizz71 · 11/15/2012, 09:53 AM

Is is possible the particles are sand? I know I have issues of sand getting pulled up into the water column even a year after they've had a chance to "get heavy" with bacteria. The flow we have in our tanks are no match for sand.

My problem usually comes at a place where there is rock or something else that diverts the flow and kicks up the sand. I put a shell in the tank the other day with seaweed on it, and over night the sand around the shell (that interrupted my flow) had been blown away...and re-deposited on my caps.

Spyderturbo007 · 11/15/2012, 10:52 AM

I have the same issue nod haven't found a way to fix the issue. Filter socks help but don't get everything and carbon doesn't either.

nanito · 11/15/2012, 12:11 PM

Same problem here. Hope you get an answer.

bpcardona · 11/15/2012, 12:19 PM

I have particles in my water column also, but I just chalked it up to my sand sifter doing his job. Is this something that can be solved? Stronger return pump?

Chriscro · 11/15/2012, 02:32 PM

its not sand, rather white almost looks like supertiny particles of a napkin lol... i might try carbon, just figured my skimmer would have picked them up in the last 6 months....

im wondering if someting is producing them

Fizz71 · 11/15/2012, 02:41 PM

Oddly enough we just had a discussion in another thread about precipitates due to rapid salt mixing. Is it possible you're seeing calcium precipitate out of solution? I'm not sure what else would cause it...did you test calcium, alk and Mg?

11/14/2012, 11:45 PM	#1
Chriscro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 79	Particles in water column Hello folks, heres my issue: My tank has been running about 6 months (125 gallon 6 footer) i have a SRO2000 reef octopus skimmer, ro/di, ATO, sump etc.. no chems or any additives besides Kalk (i had the issue of particles in the water from day one) I have recently starting using filter socks, 200 micro for 3 weeks now rotating every two days and still can't get rid of these particles in the water. its not micro bubbles but rather just white particles in the water. Ive used 130 pounds of marco dry rocks and 110 pounds of their dry sand. Anyone had simiilar issues or might have a possible cause/solution for me. Its a mixed reef and isn't stocked too heavily, just a couple tangs, good CUC and some small chromic etc.. Any help would be appreciated.

11/15/2012, 07:40 AM	#3
Pittsburgh Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 577	Have you tried running some carbon? It tends to polish the water quite well... __________________ Pittsburgh Current Tank Info: 95g Oceanic SPS reef. 30g sump, Sicce Syncra Silent 4.0 return, Reef Octopus 2000SSS skimmer, fuge with chaeto, BRS Carbon reactor, MR1 GFO reactor, BRS 2part dosing, Tunze ATO, 2x Tunze 6095 powerheads on a Tunze 7095, Gyre 130, 2xRadions xr30w pro.

11/15/2012, 09:53 AM	#4
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Is is possible the particles are sand? I know I have issues of sand getting pulled up into the water column even a year after they've had a chance to "get heavy" with bacteria. The flow we have in our tanks are no match for sand. My problem usually comes at a place where there is rock or something else that diverts the flow and kicks up the sand. I put a shell in the tank the other day with seaweed on it, and over night the sand around the shell (that interrupted my flow) had been blown away...and re-deposited on my caps. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

11/15/2012, 12:11 PM	#6
nanito Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 211	Same problem here. Hope you get an answer. __________________ I just had a dream, and a 180 gal was my nano tank. Current Tank Info: 36 gal fresh water / 45 gal reef aiptasia dominated

11/15/2012, 12:19 PM	#7
bpcardona Trying to hard Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lake Alfred, Fl Posts: 871	I have particles in my water column also, but I just chalked it up to my sand sifter doing his job. Is this something that can be solved? Stronger return pump? __________________ --Brian--- Tanks: 220G DT - 55G custom sump - 40G frag - 40G QT - Livestock: Clowns - Blonde Naso Tang - Blue Hippo Tang - Diamond Watchman Goby - Molly Miller -

11/14/2012, 11:51 PM	#2
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Some type of canister filter or hang on back filter. Though i find the hob filters work real well. But good water flow , and good feeding habits and staying under fish stock limit play a large roll. Could be one or all of the above.

11/15/2012, 10:52 AM	#5
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I have the same issue nod haven't found a way to fix the issue. Filter socks help but don't get everything and carbon doesn't either.

11/15/2012, 02:32 PM	#8
Chriscro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 79	its not sand, rather white almost looks like supertiny particles of a napkin lol... i might try carbon, just figured my skimmer would have picked them up in the last 6 months.... im wondering if someting is producing them

11/15/2012, 02:41 PM	#9
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Oddly enough we just had a discussion in another thread about precipitates due to rapid salt mixing. Is it possible you're seeing calcium precipitate out of solution? I'm not sure what else would cause it...did you test calcium, alk and Mg? __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).