Help! Water is milky

[fareforce]

I have a rubbermaid tote full of LR that has been curing. It is now on it's 5th week, and everything was going good. Last night I did a 100% water change just to get rid of some of the debris and stuff in the water. This morning I tested the water, and had all zeros. Tonight I went to check on it, and now the water is milky white. What could cause this?

 

[Willjs7]

How long did you let the salt mix for? What is the temp at?

 

[edwing206]

Did you use any type of buffer?

 

[fareforce]

No buffer. RedSea salt (been using it for years) Let the salt mix for about 1 hour (i know i should have let it sit longer), temp is at 78 degrees.

 

[fareforce]

I think I just found the culperate.. I checked my PH, and it was down to 7.4! Ouch. Adding stuff right now to boost it..

What would make it drop that much between this morning and tonight?

 

[bertoni]

The tub might have a bacterial bloom. That could cause milky water and perhaps lower the pH. You might also want to run some tests for alkalinity, calcium, etc.

 

[reefsbeforehoz]

make sure when u mix the salt with the water, u use that mixer thing.