how to get "ultra clear" water

[fahadahmed]

I see some folks on RC and thier water is "ultra clear" My water is not blury per say but it is not very clear either. This is what i am doing to keep the water clear:

125g reef:

2 carbon bags
EuroReef Skimmer
UV with new bulb
RO water with ocassional tap water (getting a new RO/SI Unit)
SAT - additive to make water clear

Am i missing something?

 

[SWINGRRRR]

No t trying to be a smart ***, but you need to add "time" to that list.

 

[dileggi]

I was wondering this myself. Does time really make a difference with that in all seriousness?

I've even added Purigen!

 

[fahadahmed]

Time, as in how long has it been established? it has been established since Thanksgiving.

and I time is the issue then I understand but what else would you add to make the water more clear.

 

[MSU Fan]

Ozone is another option, but not an easy one.

I am not sure time plays a big part. Once you are beyond the initial cycle, then I don't see what effect it would have...

 

[Gooli]

a couple of suggestions and a comment...

i recently went from carbon in a bag to carbon in a reactor and the water does appear to be clearer. You may want to try that..only about $40-$50 to implement. I wouldn't trust any chemicals that clear up the water...u said it yourself..you use it and yet your water isn't clear enough for you.

keep in mind that photos could be deceiving...im sure if you see some of these very same tank in person they dont look as clear as in photos...some folks stop all flow and let the tank settle for a while before taking pics.

HTH

 

[SWINGRRRR]

I was trying to mean time in the sense that all the little bits of rock, sand, etc need to settle. Thats what alot of the crap floating in my tank is.

 

[virginiadiver69]

You should try running your carbon in a reactor instead of passively in mesh bags. Do you blow the rocks of several times a week? That could help as well. Are you sure some of the particulates aren't air bubbles?
What do you have for a clean up crew? That would help also.

 

[fahadahmed]

I do see a stream of air bubbles come in the tank thru the "return" every 10 mins or so. don't know how to get rid of micro bubbles.

 

[JohnnyM2]

I find that a filter sock (100 or 200 microns) on the drain pipe to my skimmer helps a lot but it needs to be changed and washed at least once per week.

 

[Jareth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11623915#post11623915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gooli i recently went from carbon in a bag to carbon in a reactor and the water does appear to be clearer. You may want to try that..only about $40-$50 to implement.B]

I recently got a ViaAqua Poly-Reactor for $20, fyi.

 

[fahadahmed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11623999#post11623999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JohnnyM2
I find that a filter sock (100 or 200 microns) on the drain pipe to my skimmer helps a lot but it needs to be changed and washed at least once per week.

I have a filter sock on the drain of the skimmer that is acting as a muffler. I wasn't washing it, I guess I will now.

 

[McTeague]

Best thing to polish water to crystal clear is a hang on tank diatomaceous earth filter. I would suggest not using the "additive to make water clear" also. Water clarity does not come in a bottle.

The filter I am talking about looks like this:

 

[Otogi]

where can you find these $40-$50 carbon reactors?

 

[Gooli]

http://www.reefgeek.com/product/PhosBan_Reactor_150_by_Two_Little_Fishies
and get a maxijet 900\1200

 

[leoslizards]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11624006#post11624006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jareth
I recently got a ViaAqua Poly-Reactor for $20, fyi.

Where did you get it from? Link?

 

[Otogi]

Thanks for the Link! would it be a good idea to have 2 of these on my 90g FOWLR, one running carbon the other phosban? If so i am ordering 2 tonight!

 

[leoslizards]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11624485#post11624485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Otogi
Thanks for the Link! would it be a good idea to have 2 of these on my 90g FOWLR, one running carbon the other phosban? If so i am ordering 2 tonight!

Yes get two. Most people run it that way.

 

[marineaddict]

Otogi,

You can use as many of these as you want..... I run 2 - one with phosban and 1 with carbon. Works great for me. Just make sure you keep the flow so it just makes the top of media bounce up and down. You do not want particle making getting into your system

 

[fishox]

you can use a Two Little Fishies phosban reactor as a carbon reactor.

If you're getting microbubbles even with a filter sock you should check your return line plumbing. If there is even a tiny gap in the return line you can draw air and get micro bubbles. If you haven't already use some silicon on each of the joints in your return line.