dust particles in my water

[awwad_m]

Hi all,

I am starting a new thread, I just filled my new tank and fired up the wet/dry, and so far no leaks and everything seems to be running very smoothly, however, I have noticed a lot of dust particles floating in the water. Should I leave my tank running for a few days and this will go away? Or will I need to replace all my water? (My tank is still empty, I am planning to add LS/LR pretty soon, but I want the water to clear up). Please give me some advice to what I should do. Thanks!!!

 

[hansnfrans]

If it's just dust from the tank itself, then you can just use a cup to skim it off of the surface. This tank is FOWLR right? Just askin' because you mention that you intend to use a wet/dry for filtration.

 

[awwad_m]

Yes it is FOWLR. Then I should shut it off, and wait for the particles to raise up to the surface? Because right now all the dust particles are just floating near the surface, middle, and lower parts of the tank.

 

[hansnfrans]

That's odd that the overflow box for your wet/dry isn't removing this from the surface. But, yes, I'd just turn off the pump and skim some of this stuff from the surface. The rest should disappear soon.

 

[awwad_m]

I also thought that the over flow box for the wet/dry will remove all those particles. Maybe I should run the filter for a couple of more days and see whether the water gets clearer or not (before I put in the LS and LR). If not, then I will turn it off and skim it off the surface.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Is there anywhere in your filtration system you can add some filter floss to "polish" the water? You're gonna need some when you add sand anyway. I buy big bags of pillow stuffing at the sewing supply stores.

 

[awwad_m]

Thats a good idea pufferpunk, I will try to get some filter floss, or add a sponge in the compartment before the pump.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Floss works much better for filtering out tiny particles than a sponge does. You don't want to keep a nitrate factory, like a sponge in your filtration system for long. Floss, you can just toss out & replace when necessary. It's like $3 for a huge bag.

 

[awwad_m]

Ok, and that floss can only be found in sewing supply stores? Or can I find it at a local store like Walmart? Target?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Well, I boycot Walmart. Not sure you'd find something like that at Target. Best deal at the sewing shop.

 

[awwad_m]

Ok, Ill go look for a sweing shop close by, should I just ask them for floss? Or is it pillow stuffing?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Pillow stuffing.

 

[awwad_m]

Ok, thanks alot!

 

[BenjieC]

Look for polyester fiber fill.

 

[whiirly]

are you sure thats its dust and not micro bubbles?

 

[New_Reefer_1]

If they are micro bubbles, would they go away with time? (If you continue to run your filtration)?

 

[hansnfrans]

Nope. You have to fix the microbubble problem at its source, or if the bubbles are in a sump, you just add baffles into the sump.

 

[awwad_m]

What could be the cause of the microbubbles?

 

[jun_celis]

I think the dust particles are collecting on top of the water because your over flow box is not skimming it properly. It could be because your turn over rate is not properly adjusted. You need to look at your pumps rate. You might need to replace your pump with a stronger gph and just put a gate valve to control your return pump.

 

[awwad_m]

My pump is at 740gph, is that enough or do I need a bigger pump? The system seems to be working fine tho, I have been running it for a couple of days now, and everything seems to be running smoothly. I did notice those particles when I first mixed the saltwater in the tank, but I thought that the filtration will get rid of that!