reefer2b's tank

[reefer2b]

I cleaned the filter on Wed. evening and put new water in it. (it holds about 2g of water so that's about a 7% water change.) I swear I think it made it worse for a while. I've noticed certain times of the day it's cloudier than others. It's more cloudy in the morning than when I got to bed. My test kit still reads all levels at 0 and fish are still doing fine. My hubby though is ready to make me start over, he hates looking at it this way.

[fatman]

Are you mixing the water up at least a day before using it. If not, that will make a difference. Also check your tank water pH and alkalinity. Is your water tap water or is it RO water? If your water got worse following the water change it could be your water source, or if the salts are not totally dissolved or your pH is off you could have particulates or even precipitates in your water that would clear with simple changes in methods. Replacement water should be mixed up at least a day a head and an air line or circulation pump should be in the water until it is added to the tank, it should also be very close to the same parameters as the tank water as far as salinity, temperature and pH. Hopefully your not using tap water. If you are then you might have to buy water or get a filter for your supply water. Regardless of your water source you can probably get your local fish store to check your supply water for total dissolved solids, pH, hardness and if your lucky phosphates. Or if your using tap water check with the company who supplies the water as they have to make public their water test data, that should give the above data plus tell you if there are any heavy metals present.

[Bifferwine]

I advise to continue to stick it out. If you've only had your tank set up for a few weeks, I'd wait a couple more before throwing in the towel and starting over. I know it's trying and it's so tempting to just ditch it, but I think your water will probably clear up with time. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time getting things working right, sometimes this hobby just plain old sucks .

[reefer2b]

I'm using ro/di saltwater from the lfs for my water changes and have since I set it up. I used tap water for the initial set up. It started getting cloudy after I added the first ro water to top off. My Ph goes between 8.0 and 8.2 I've not had the alkalinity tested. The water report only listed copper and at minimal levels due to if you have copper piping. We've got all pvc in the house so I doubt it's much of a factor (although you never know)
Biff it's been set up for 1 month now and I've never had any readings on the tank at all. Either with my test kit or the lfs's. At least if it did I could point my finger and say that's the problem.
I'm going to wait and my DH will just have to deal with it. He thinks it's because of the rocks and wants me to ditch those. I'm still going to wait. It just sucks not being able to see through the tank. It makes it hard to get a head count that way. It's funny though whenever I feed the fish the nassarius snails come out of the sand and start eating the food that lands on the bottom. So I know they are still there.

[Altohombre]

I can't help you with clearing your water much other than trying water from a different place than this LFS. I love my nassarius snails. As soon as food touches the surface of my tank they jump out of the sand and start going all over. My turbo snails don't do anything so I prefer the activity of the nassarius.

[reefer2b]

I know it's weird how they know almost immediately when food has been put in the tank. I would go to another store; I just don't want to drive 40 miles to get to it. I might try walmarts wate if it doesn't clear up in the next few weeks.

[fatman]

Your slightly low pH would seem to indicate a calcium problem. However, calcium precipitation happens in a relatively fast period of time and is generally referred to as looking like a snow storm. However, it is not a persitant problem. If your cloudiness has gone on for days and days it would have to be either particlulates from your rock and substrate or bacteria. Even a blossom of small animal life looks mpre like flecks in your water more than looking like cloudiness. I would agree with Biffer and Reefreek both. Wait it out and in the mean time look for another source of RO water. You might consider looking for a culligan store or any store which supplies bottled water for water fountains. They are both cheap if you bring your own water container. In the mean time you might want to try a good size helping of charcoal. If it clears the water and the cloudiness reappears soon after you remove the charcoal it is not particulates. Lowering of pH is common in new tanks and cycling tanks due to increased bacteria and increased levels of ammonia, however usually the ammonia or ay least nitrite or nitrate will show on tests when your pH is low in a new tank. Theneed for patience can really suck.

[yote]

I've been using the wal-mart brand distilled water for over a year now with no problems what-so-ever.Except the wife fussing about picking it up for me.

[fatman]

Darn Yote your lucky. Even when I lived in a little cabin I could not get my wife to carry a bucket of drinking water, or grey water. Carrying your tank water. Times be changing I guess. Heck I can remember my second wife would not buy any thing but 6 packs of soda pop because she would not pick up half racks or cases. Fourty pound containers of water, for your fish tank yet!

[yote]

Thats why she likes the gallon jugs.And I got a dump truck load of em to haul off.