Can't get crystal clear water

[Jmunk]

I'm running carbon, GFO, skimming, and using filter socks, yet I can't seem to get that crystal clear water I even see at my LFS.

Especially from the side, my tank just seems a bit murky and cloudy, and I can't figure out why. :uhoh3:

Anyone with crystal clear water wanna chime in lol?

 

[The Fisher King]

Use Aquafina or Dasani

 

[whiteshark]

I don't think the water really should be crystal clear, but I believe those who run UV sterilizers report their water clearing a bit. And maybe if you back off on flow less particulates would float around, though I don't necessarily think backing off on flow is a good thing. I seem to recall those running biopellets saw clearer water as well, after a period of murky water, though I could be off base with that one as I've never run them myself.

 

[ghostman]

Your signature says you have 8 fish in a 90g tank. Are they decent sized? If your bioload is high, you might have bacteria in the water column. Its possible that more live rock is needed in the tank, or in the sump. Many people do report having clearer water after starting carbon dosing with vodka or vinegar.

 

[wetWolger]

Please describe your carbon habits more.

Are they in media bags in high flow area's in the sump? Or are you using a reactor? How often are you replacing your carbon?

IME carbon is the cheapest and easiest way to clear up your water.

As mentioned earlier, a UV is an option for clearing up your water as well. Just don't be tempted by the cheap ones, for a tank of your size you would be looking around a $300 minimal investment.

 

[Jmunk]

Please describe your carbon habits more.

Are they in media bags in high flow area's in the sump? Or are you using a reactor? How often are you replacing your carbon?

IME carbon is the cheapest and easiest way to clear up your water.

As mentioned earlier, a UV is an option for clearing up your water as well. Just don't be tempted by the cheap ones, for a tank of your size you would be looking around a $300 minimal investment.

In a reactor.

Changing carbon out every 2-3 weeks.

 

[footyreefer]

Carbon should be changed at least 2 every weeks. Change it every few days in small amounts. And see if it helps.

 

[ca1ore]

How old is the tank? It can take some time for a new tank to really settle in and get that crystal clear look. Is cloudiness particulate it just a general haze? Could be sand getting stirred up - what fish do you keep.

Not sure I'd agree that GAC is all that effective at removing cloudiness. It's very good at removing some chemical impurities and any tinting agents, but won't do much for particulate cloudiness; likewise for a UV. Skimmer ought to remove small particulates, if that's what it is.

 

[Jmunk]

How old is the tank? It can take some time for a new tank to really settle in and get that crystal clear look. Is cloudiness particulate it just a general haze? Could be sand getting stirred up - what fish do you keep.

Not sure I'd agree that GAC is all that effective at removing cloudiness. It's very good at removing some chemical impurities and any tinting agents, but won't do much for particulate cloudiness; likewise for a UV. Skimmer ought to remove small particulates, if that's what it is.

It's almost exactly 9 months old.

Maybe it is time. It seems to me like just a general haze.

All small fish, blenny, chromis, clowns, anthias, and a kole tang.

 

[ca1ore]

Hmmmn, should have cleared up long ago. Although I'm not a big proponent of socks, perhaps you could try one with a smaller pore,size. You could try a UV, but typically that will only help if the cloudiness is algae or bacterial in nature.

 

[Jmunk]

Hmmmn, should have cleared up long ago. Although I'm not a big proponent of socks, perhaps you could try one with a smaller pore,size. You could try a UV, but typically that will only help if the cloudiness is algae or bacterial in nature.

I run a filter sock! That's why I'm puzzled as to why it's not clear.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not cloudy either by any stretch. From the front it looks perfectly fine, but when you look at it from the side, it's still got that haze.

 

[CStrickland]

You clean your glass right?
I've noticed that when I'm not using my mag float so much because I don't have algae on the glass, I develop a biofilm on the inside. It's like a slime that does hold microbubbles and some crud. Usually it comes to my attention when a snail makes a trail through it, then it is pretty noticeable, but I wouldn't think of it otherwise.

I don't think it would be worse viewed longways though, just covering the easy bases. I'm leaning toward a slight algae or bacteria bloom. If you have a local club, sometimes a fellow reefer will loan you their uv for a test run if you can bake them some nice cookies or give a frag.

 

[Jmunk]

You clean your glass right?
I've noticed that when I'm not using my mag float so much because I don't have algae on the glass, I develop a biofilm on the inside. It's like a slime that does hold microbubbles and some crud. Usually it comes to my attention when a snail makes a trail through it, then it is pretty noticeable, but I wouldn't think of it otherwise.

I don't think it would be worse viewed longways though, just covering the easy bases. I'm leaning toward a slight algae or bacteria bloom. If you have a local club, sometimes a fellow reefer will loan you their uv for a test run if you can bake them some nice cookies or give a frag.

Yep! Everyday.

Haha, I'll see what I can do

 

[wetWolger]

Carbon should be changed at least 2 every weeks. Change it every few days in small amounts. And see if it helps.

What he said is 100% right. Carbon is really only good for about a week. The surface gets coated in bactera quickly. It's much better to use half the carbon, but replace it twice as frequently.

 

[Humongous]

Have you thought about trying ozone? It won't help with particulate matter but might help boost your skimmer output by breaking down organics.

 

[Jaffy]

Could be numerous things. With what youe running carbon, filter socks, they need to be maintained frequently. Also water changes frequently help. Don't overfeed.

 

[toothybugs]

I noticed a touch of clarity when I started a dosing routine with hydrogen peroxide for some hair algae I wanted to knock off but the snails always seemed to miss. I noticed a touch of additional haziness when I OD'd on vinegar. I trust your skimmer is pulling good skimmate?

How fine are the filter socks you're running?

 

[coffee_snob]

Water change and run sock helps polish my water.

 

[laga77]

If clear water is that important to you. Get a Vortex diatom filter. It will clear 90 gallons in a day. It will even filter out free swimming ICH.

 

[CuzzA]

If clear water is that important to you. Get a Vortex diatom filter. It will clear 90 gallons in a day. It will even filter out free swimming ICH.

The reviews I've read on those are pretty bad.

You can use a Magnum 350 and DE powder. This will polish the water down to 1 micron. However it is not for continuous use.

But, my guess is you may have a slight bacterial bloom or free floating algae issue. A UV sterilizer would definitely fix that. From my research I can only recommend Emperor Aquatics, but there are a couple other manufacturers who make a decent unit. Don't waste your money on turbo twisty gimmicks. I would start there and even if it doesn't solve the issue it's not a bad thing to have. Just recently there was a thread on here where a bad strain of bacteria got into a members tank and wiped out all of his corals in a few days. A UV at the ready is a good tool to have in the shed.