Should Salt Water Be Clear?

[Tobman]

I have a newly setup tank. With just salt water in it, the water has been milky. Not super milky, but definitely not clear. I am using Coralife salt mix. Temp = 80F. Why would it be milky?

 

[MayoBoy]

How long has it been up and running? It could be a couple of things:

Sand hasn't completely settled out yet

Bacteria bloom

What kind of water movement, filtration, rock, etc do you have in it?

 

[Tobman]

Brand new, been up and running for 3 days. The sand isn't the issue, as it was milky before the sand. However, the salt water was in a Rubbermaid can for a week or so, with a powerhead circulating water, top on, no lights. So it can't be sand or bacteria. It is something to do with the mix, or sitting in my basement in a Rubbermaid.

 

[MayoBoy]

Was the rubbermaid used before or is this the first time using it? Did you clean it prior to filling it?

 

[SDguy]

IME, newly set up tanks will be somewhat cloudy for a few days...it'll pass.

 

[Tobman]

Rubbermaid brand new.

SDguy, I hope your're right. The tank has been full, water circulating at 80F for 3 days and it's still milky.

Would running it through a canister with carbon help?

 

[SDguy]

Mine was milky for about a week. I contributed it to using tap water for the initial fill. It still cleared up, but left a lot of deposits on the glass. No biggie.

 

[cristhiam]

That will help, I used two hang on penguins 330 with the cartridges/carbon and cleared up my 125 in 2 days. Just had to keep rinsing them.

 

[Tobman]

I am using RO/DI water.

 

[Billybeau1]

I would definitly run some carbon. Especially if you didnt rinse out the rubbermade before using it the first time. Should clear it up in a day or so.