It happened again... need advice

[Mrramsey]

Ok So I was having a small algae problem... I cleaned some rocks changed filters often and also ran some activated carbon in the filters. Algae was and is diminishing. I had made a small adjustment to the lights then an hour later the water had a cloudy appearance to it . Corals were unhappy and closed. Did a WC and things cleared up and started looking great. fast forward about 10 days I decided to do another 10% WC to export any additional uglies. Salinity of the NSW was perfect as was the temp. I did the WC, replaced the socks and added some fresh carbon. This morning at 7:30 am water was crystal clear and the corals opened up as usual. 9:00 am and the water has the cloudiness to it again and the corals are all closed up again. Bizzare!!!

Sorry for the blurry pic but wanted to show the cloudiness in the water. Almost looks like particulate matter. I don't know what to make of this.

Temp is 79.7F
pH 8.3
Alk 7.8
SG 1.025
PO 3/4 0
RO/DI 0 TDS

The sudden visual change in water quality does not make sense to me. There are no Fish, only 1 birdsnest colony, some assorted mushrooms, some Xenia, Clove polyps and a few Zoas and 2 GBTA's.

 

[Shivsreef]

Maybe it's a bacteria bloom as corals don't produce much waste if any so I don't think you have any main sources of ammonia

 

[Mrramsey]

Maybe it's a bacteria bloom as corals don't produce much waste if any so I don't think you have any main sources of ammonia

Just seems odd to me to have a bacterial bloom less than 24 hours after a WC.

I changed the socks and it seems a little better now things have opened up again.

 

[ajcanale]

I cleaned some rocks changed filters oftenand also ran some activated carbon in the filters.

Not exactly sure what you mean by this, but it could be contributing to the possible bacterial blooms. Cleaning rocks in a saltwater reef system doesn't really make sense.

 

[Mrramsey]

Just seems odd to me to have a bacterial bloom less than 24 hours after a WC.

I changed the socks and it seems a little better now things have opened up again.

Brushed off some areas where there was a bit of hair algae. Let it filter out for a bit then did the water change. Cleaning was probably a poor choice of words.

 

[Sk8r]

Cleaning rock and sand is something I don't do. I hire nassarius and ceriths and limpets for that job!

 

[Mrramsey]

Guess I need to get out and employ a small cuc for the tank.

 

[Mrramsey]

Update

Update

Ok so after a WC Things were looking up. Water was clear again params good. Added some live stock. 2 juvi clowns, and a juvi yellow tang and 4 snails.

Everyone has been happy so far going on two weeks. Water war crystal clear this morning except for some micro bubbles. Then bam it did its cloudiness again and all of my xenia, clove polyps, mushrooms, and zoos closed up. The only thing that happened prior to this was feeding the fish.

I tossed some carbon in one of the socks and it is slowly clearing up. For the life of me I cannot figure out why this happens.

Here are my params:

 

[Reef Frog]

Is the cloudiness made up of particulate matter? Are you sure it's not just micro bubbles?Can you see the particles? Is the sock actually catching some of it? Maybe it's just some detritus that's becoming freed from the rock cleaning.

Sometimes a bacterial bloom will leave a slippery film on surfaces like pumps & power cords. They tend to reach equilibrium in a mature tank unless new carbon sources are introduced suddenly and in sufficient quantity. Over doing carbon dosing is the classic example.

 

[sharkboy99999]

Same thing happened when my nem died

 

[Mrramsey]

Is the cloudiness made up of particulate matter? Are you sure it's not just micro bubbles?Can you see the particles? Is the sock actually catching some of it? Maybe it's just some detritus that's becoming freed from the rock cleaning.

Sometimes a bacterial bloom will leave a slippery film on surfaces like pumps & power cords. They tend to reach equilibrium in a mature tank unless new carbon sources are introduced suddenly and in sufficient quantity. Over doing carbon dosing is the classic example.

I don't dose anything in this tank at all. Just water changes. The water just has a milkiness to it. I do have some fine microbubbles from my skimmer. so far it just seems that the corals are upset for a day or so then go back to normal...

shot this yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/v/MUsqJxEJAf4&rel=0&VQ=HD1080

 

[Cymonous]

How much carbon are you using? And are you rinsing the carbon well before adding it to your tank?

 

[ca1ore]

I hire nassarius and ceriths and limpets for that job!

Indeed! They seem happy to do it for basic room and board ..... and four square.

 

[Mrramsey]

It was cloudy before adding that carbon. I only added it as a precautionary measure.