Ca falling out of solution

We are not currently dosing carbon.

Tank is cloudy like watered down skim milk. Looking across the long portion of the tank, you can't really see the other side.

This event has lasted roughly 10 days.

If indeed this is a bacteria bloom - how could we confirm?

The Ca falling out of solution seemed to fit, when we went the to lfs Ca measured much lower (100 to 200) than previous tests.
 
Can you see the white in a glass of tank water?

If so, adding vinegar will dissolve it and make it clear.

It won't dissolve bacteria.

That much calcium doesn't just fall out of solution. It needs to take alkalinity with it, and there is not that much present in seawater. You'd have to add whopping amounts of alkalinity for calcium to drop that much. Like an extra 15-30 dKH beyond normal levels.
 
Did the 'vinegar test' it didn't appear to clear the water up any, besides the slight dilution. So assuming it is a bacterial bloom, how do we get rid of it and what is the root cause?
 
Interesting. How much vinegar was added to how much water?

If it's bacterial, I'd stop feeding for a few days. A diatom filter would help by removing the bacteria from the water, thus exporting nutrients and making the water clearer, but they're rather pricey for such a short-term application, IMO. The skimmer should be able to remove the bacteria over time, if it's functioning properly.
 
We pulled roughly 4oz of water from the tank and added 1/2 oz of vinegar.

Currently we just have a protein skimmer on the tank.
 
Well, I'd stop feeding, just out of caution, if nothing else, and I'd clean the skimmer and see about adjusting it.
 
Cloudy water

Cloudy water

I do not believe this is Ca+ precipitation, I rarely see that unless you are way off on what your dosing. Sounds much more like an algae or bacterial bloom. I would do another water change with RO/DI only, do not feed the tank for a couple days and reduce the lighting or leave it off all together.
 
Cloudy

Cloudy

sc reefer said:
If i totally leave the light off how many days would be enough to kill the bacteria and not harm the corals?
Click to expand...
Leaving the lights off will only kill it if it is an algae bloom. Cutting down the feeding and doing the water change will help with both an algae bloom and a bacterial bloom. Make sure nothing has died in your tank lately, and I have sps and have left my lights off for two days without a problem. But disclaimer, just in my opinion and just my experience. A picture always helps, good luck.
 
A bacterial bloom (algae bloom too) is usually a result of high nutrient levels in your water column. Bacteria do not need light to survive. Until the nutrient levels are reduced, you will continue to get the bacterial blooms. Good skimming, water changes and running GAC will help to reduce the nutrients. A thorough cleaning of your rock, glass and sand bed surface will remove the nutrients or keep the organic matter removed from adding to your nutrient level. The filter bag will help collect the bacteria and organic matter in your water column and export it from your aquarium as well. Reduced feeding for a period of time, will reduce that amount of nutrients going into your water column as stated above. All these measures will add together to lower the nutrient level in your water and the bacterial blooms should stop. ;)
 
I'd siphon out as much detritus as possible ; do water changes and run gac. A small micron filter sock on your drain may help. I'd keep running the poly filter too. Stop feeding for a couple of days as well.
 
I am running GAC and siphoned detrius out today. tank looks slightly clearer. Will this bacteria outbreak correct itself naturally if i continue to run
GAC?
 
Cleaned out the tank, have been using activated carbon, cleaned protein skimmer, did another water exchange, reduced feeding and the tank is still very cloudy. If there is any improvement it is so incrementally small that it isn't perceptable.

Any additional suggestions?
 
Well, I was optimistic about how long the problem would last. :( If you have an UV unit or can borrow one, that might kill a bacterial bloom, if that's what this is. Otherwise, I agree that a diatom filter would clear the water.

I'd try letting a cup of water sit for a while. Calcium carbonate should settle to the bottom. Bacteria might not.
 
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