Is it possible to have tank with crystal-clear water like this on a daily basis?

[RioReefr]

I watched a lot of those BRS-TV videos and they show this smaller tank where the water clarity always seem surreal...100% pure, not a single particle floating in the tank, zero algae specks, great looking pink/purlpe coralline algae.

I totally envy a tank like this -- so what is their secret to make it super clear??:

* Almost 100% water change before the shoot?
* Not feeding the fish for a couple of days, so there is zero waste?
* Using some ridiculous small-micron polishing clothe to catch everything?
* Heavy-duty skimmer device?

Anyway, I would love to be able to get my tank to look this good !

I noticed they have 2 opposite pointing powerheads at a horizontal-level...does that help a lot?

Should I liken this to the top photo models who look amazing -- but starve themselves, take diet drugs, perfect lighting, perfect angle, $2000-dollar lens, etc. etc. They might look great in that one photo, but in reality do not look like that in everyday life???

 

[Timfish]

Sure but is keeping a tank crystal clear what's best for corals? Here's quotes from Chalres Debeek and J. E. N. Veron:
"When I see the colors of some of these low nutrient tanks, I can't help but be reminded of bleached coral reefs. It should therefore not come as a surprise that feeding corals in such systems becomes a very important component in these systems. Though reefs are often catagorized as nutrient "deserts" the influx of nutrients in the form of particulates and plankton is quite high when the total volume of water passing over a reef is taken into consideration.

Our crystal-clear aquaria do not come close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs. And so when we create low-nutrient water conditions, we still have to deal with the rest of a much more complex puzzle. Much like those who run their aquarium water temperature close to the thermal maximums of corals walk a narrow tight rope, I can't help but think that low-nutrient aquariums may be headed down a similar path." Charles Delbeck, Coral Nov/Dec 2010, pg 127

"Imported nutrients are usually transported to reefs from rivers; but if there are no rivers, as with reefs remote from land masses, nutrients can only come from surface ocean circulation. Often this supply is poor, and thus the vast ocean expanses have been refered to as "nutrient deserts". The Indo-Pacific has many huge atolls in these supposed deserts which testify to the resilience of reefs, but the corals themselves may lack the lush appearance of those of more fertile waters. Many reefs have another major supply of inorganic nutrients as, under certain conditions, surface currents moving against a reef face may cause deep ocean water to be drawn to the surface. This "upwelled" water is often rich in phosphorus and other essential chemicals." J. E. N. Veron "Corals of Austrailia and the Indo-Pacific" pg 30

 

[d0ughb0y]

The LFS I go to always have display tanks that are clean and neat.
you know what their secret is?
They hire a minimum wage kid to do nothing all day but spiff up the tanks.
the tanks don't clean themselves like magic, someone has to do it. So you need to constantly tend your tank to keep it nice and clean.

 

[RioReefr]

Tim, that is basically what I am asking --- looking great (100% crystal-clear water) may not be a healthy, happy environment, correct?

No matter what I do to my tank, I always see some kind of particles floating around -- whether it be water bubbles, some sand particles kicked up from the damselfish (who btw is free to anyone that wants the little blue devil lol), leftover particles of nori, etc. Rarely do I ever see totally pure water....even after a water change, siphoning sand, and replacing my filter sock.

Years ago, I personally got under 10% BF and "looked" great but felt like crap physically (sore all over), emotionally (depressed), super critical of everything/everyone. Inside I was far from being happy.

I am wondering if these great-looking tanks are just there for show-time that I see in YouTube videos, yet not good in reality bc lack of nutrients in the water column???

 

[BrettDS]

I think there may be a few things at play here. First, tiny particles and micro bubbles are likely not going to show up in a video... the resolution just isn't there. So it's quite possible (and probably likely) that there are tiny particles in the water in that tank that you just can't see in the video.

That said, the water does look very clear. Carbon filtration can definitely help with water clarity as well as low iron glass. I wouldn't be surprised if they are running carbon on that tank. Obviously they spend some time making sure the glass is clean and algae free as well.

But I suspect that you could get close to that by cleaning your glass daily and running a carbon reactor.

 

[GSMclowns]

Filter socks, bare bottom, strong flow, carbon and weekly water changes, my water was crystal clear as well. It is the combination of multiple things to get clear water, not just one or two things.

 

[Uncle99]

My water went crystal clear when I mimicked NSW and kept it refreshed regularly.

 

[rjjr1963]

I started a UV sterilize and the water seems clearer. A diatom filter will definitely clear and polish your water but that's not something you can run all the time. Maybe before a photoshoot.