cloudy tank

[jolson10450]

i started my tank about 3 weeks ago now and its always been cloudy and not really clear i put a mirror behind it to see the hiding fish and i can hardley even see in the mirror.. i have 35 lbs liverock and 90 pounds of sand with snails and blue legs and a bristle star in the tank... with a PS and a hang on filter i was just wonder why it is so cloudy and what are some cheap ways i can get it crystal clear.

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

wow you just started it three weeks ago and you have fish in it already? lordy lordy. i wait at least two months to add anything at all. you should have added how big the tank is and what your water paremeters are. not to mention that is a lot of sand. you should have at least 1 to 2 pounds of live rock per gallon. so with 35 pounds of rock i hope the tank isnt over 35 gallons.

 

[jolson10450]

sorry yeah i have a 40g tank and im throwing a 20g ref on it this weekend its about 4 inches of sand and its more about 40 lbs liverock... i cant put much more because i need flow room and swimming room to see the fish i got 40 in my display and putting 20 in my refugium... but i dont have fish just the inverts... my lvls are all good cept my ph is 8.0 only... so i have no idea really... can i use a clarifier solution or would i have to buy a uv light to clear it up... the water is kinda brownish in color and my protein skimmer isnt picking up much so yeah.. hope that helps better

 

[neotekz]

get a mechanical filter with some filter floss or cloth and run some carbon that should help a lot. the water should get clearer with time when the bacteria binds the sand together better

 

[jolson10450]

i actually have one going right now on it and it doesnt pick up much at all its not like dirty water with stuff in it its just no clear.... how long should i be leaving my light on too with just starting im thinking i leave it on to long during the day causing bad algae to make the water cloudy... right now i leave it on for 10 hours a day

 

[neotekz]

are u running carbon. u might need to get a skimmer if carbon doesn';t work

 

[leeweber85]

It's probably still cycling. I also wouldn't worry about adding any more rock, 1lb per gallon is plenty. The rule that says there should be a minimum of 1-2lb /gal is bullcrap with proper maintenance

 

[jolson10450]

i think its still cycling but i did order some stuff called algone i read good reviews on it so hopefully it works... its a clarifier and nutrient reducer so the crap algae doesnt reproduce.... i do have a protein skimmer and a floss hangon filter with carbon so i dont know like i said i was clueless... but i think its still cycling who knows... wierd part was i bought my rock fully cured right out of a guys tank... same with my sand... so who knows