Tank Water Color

[richfavinger]

I was just wondering if any of you took note of you tanks water color when you do your water changes. If you just suck a bucket of water right from the tank with out stirring things up, what's your water look like in a white bucket?

Just like pure RO water?
Ever so slightly discolored?
It's light to mild yellowish?
It really looks like pee...! :eek1:

Mine has a slight yellow tint to it, not bad but you can tell. Even though I run carbon, I just wondered, do I need to change it more often? I know some put it in for only a few days a month, I'm just lazy to do that. I run about 2 cups of Kent Reef Carbon, (75g tank) changed every month. Along with PhosGuard.

I always used Kent Reef Carbon, is there something better?

Your comments, please...
Rich

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ozone will remove a lot of the yellowness.

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php

 

[NYReef]

Mine was yellow at first after putting the rock in, I used chemi-pure and a poly filter, my water cleared overnight. I use white buckets for my change to see how the waste water looks, after using the products mentioned above, the water coming out each week looks as clear (except for the sediment that falls to the bottom) as the new water. I do blow off the rocks and corals before syphoning out the water to maximize detritus removal.

 

[richfavinger]

I know Ozone will, I had a thread about it posted and the Coralife Supper Skimmer 220, for use. I'd like to know about it, and just wondering if that skimmer is up to it.

You do need to run a carbon pouch in the skimmers return box don't you? So ozone does not enter the tank, remember I don't have a sump.

I really thought carbon would remove most of the yellow as well... As mentioned or do I need to change it more?

For a 75 to later 120, what size generator would you suggest, I looked at Red Sea's top line 50mg units. Has a built in ORP controller.

Rich

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You do need to run a carbon pouch in the skimmers return box don't you? So ozone does not enter the tank, remember I don't have a sump

IMO, you should treat both the air and water to remove ozone,if you use it. It is not easily done well with most skimmers.

This article (and those that follow) may help explain ozone issues:

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php

 

[richfavinger]

Maybe I should mention, I just did my 15% water change and cleaned both my filters, added a fresh batch of carbon, and PhosGuard. My ORP reads around 340, and will prob hit 360+ by days end. (No Ozone at this time).

I'm reading the article now... Man your making my brain hurt! Pain is good!
It just makes me see now how things and thoughts have changed in this hobby over the past 10 to 15 years, from back in the days of Albert Thiel and Martin Moe, Jr. (books of 1992 / 93) and Reef Notes, published in Aquarium Magazine. Yes I have there books.

I think you and the staff of RC should publish a "Masters Guide" to reef keeping.
"Reef Central's Guide to Marine Reef Aquariums"
Make it like 5" thick... A volume set would be nice as well.

Rich

 

[nm354]

mine looks like the ro I put in it. I run carbon very randomly but I do mix vinegar with my kalk and ever since doing that you can't even tell there is water in the tank its so clear.

 

[OnTheReef]

When I am being a good reefkeeper and doing all the good things a good reefkeeper should, it's as crystal clear the as RO/DI that goes in. If I haven't vacuumed as often as I ought, the water is still clear, but I get brown gook while vacuuming the substrate.

 

[LivingTropicals]

Water change once a month and mine also is clear as the RO/DI I put in too.