Particulates in the water. Any thoughts?

[Tankjunkie0481]

I am currently running a 28G JBJ nano cube and I constantly have suspended particulate matter in the water. I clean out all of my sponges every few days an I do weekly to biweekly water changes after stirring up the sand bed to remove as much particulate as I can but it doesn't seem to help. I first thought it was just too many fish in the tank but even after reducing the numbers of livestock(fish) and increasing my CUC the amount of particles in the water doesn't seem to change. Would adding a InTank media basket to the rear chamber help? Willing to try just about anything at this point to get my water crystal clear.

 

[Shallow Reefer]

You need mechanical filtration, filter floss. A media basket will work. Personaly I run a fluval 406 in my BC29. I clean it weekly and my water is crystal clear.

 

[Tankjunkie0481]

The nano cubes already have a media basket in them but I don't think they allow for enough flow to efficiently filter out the particulates that get stirred up by livestock that filter feed in the sand bed. I currently use Purigen, Chem-pure elite and the stock sponges. I am going to pick up some filter floss soon to see if that helps but i'm definately getting an InTank media basket. All the reviews i've read on them have been really positive in dealing with particulates and water clarity. How long have you been running your Fluval? Do you have any Nitrate issues? I've seen a lot of mixed reviews and some even refer to canister filters as nitrate factories.

 

[chad p]

Putting some filter floss in the top of the media basket will definitely help. I have an inTank media basket and I like it. The main thing in my opinion is to have enough flow turning over the tank and making sure that the overflow water is all directed into the filter floss and through the media basket.

That can be tough to do with Purigen and Chemi-pure in the media basket. You just have to remember that those products are doing you no good if all of the water is directed around them or around the entire media basket all together.

I'd say get the InTank media basket and while you're on their website get the Value Pack-Poly Filter Floss. It's 3 big sheets of filter floss for like $7. It lasts quite a while and I'm confident that you'll see your water clear up.

 

[alford35]

I am a flossing junkie! I like the polyester fiber. I just pull a bunch out and stuff it good on top of the media basket in my nuvo overflows. It pulls all kinds of stuff out of the water and does it quickly. I dont have to but I change it every couple of days. A big bag will last a really long time.

 

[Tankjunkie0481]

Thanks for the input. From what I can tell the biggest difference between the InTank basket and the stock JBJ basket (besides the larger size and the larger holes for water flow) is the raised back panel that keeps water directed downward through the media instead of letting excess water flow over the basket. Definately getting one ASAP. Also just wanted to let ya'll know I added some MicroBacter from Brightwell Aquatics Today after my water change and made a huge difference in water clarity. The water itself is crystal clear and the only thing left to disappear is the larger particles in the water which will hopefully go away when I get the upgraded media basket. Thanks for all the input. I will be posting my own review of the InTank media in the future.