Brownish Tint

chelly14301

New Member
Hello, I have a 60 gallon saltwater tank. The tank has been established for several years and regular maintenace performed. A few months ago the water turned a brownish tint overnight. I have done all the tests and even took a sample of my water to a saltwater fish store to have all the levels checked. Everything tested great. I have completly cleaned the filter many times and there is no change. Last week I even tried a 75% water change. The very next day the water once again had the same brownish tint. The fish dont seem to be bothered by it. I have a starfish, 2 damsels, and I just added a tang a week ago (my shark in another tank tried to eat it). Please anyone with any ideas please help! I would really love to be able to see my fish again LOL!
 

jimvette1

Member

Just digging for more information.....
Refugium filtration?
R U using charcoal?
You haven't started adding any chemicals have you?
Anything die?
Just hang on I'm sure someone will figure this out for you soon.
 

chelly14301

New Member
Refugium filtration? No
R U using charcoal? Yes, replaced a few times
You haven't started adding any chemicals have you? No
Anything die? Not in about a month - before that I lost a linka star and a kole yellow tang
 

jimvette1

Member

I'm stumped, charcoal always worked for me, but I never knew what caused mine to cloud up in the first place,either.

All I know is that after a few days with charcoal it cleared up.
I'm sure more suggestions will follow.
I'll keep researching.
 

jimvette1

Member
OK,lets try something else.
Is your system closed or open, Top or no top?
There can be several different reasons for cloudy water in a fish tank, so let's take a look at the most common ones. These are debris from new substrate, bacterial bloom, chemical imbalance, or even floating algae.
Most new rocks and decorations will cause cloudy water. If this is the case then your debris should settle and go away on it's own in a couple of days. Before adding the next decorations or rocks it best to soak them in separate water to get all the loose dirt off before adding them to your tank.
Another problem that can come from new fish tanks is a bacterial bloom. This can cause the water to have a haze and look rather gray. This can come from overfeeding the fish or dying plants.
A sure sign of a bacteria bloom is when your water is milky and has a very bad odor. Not all bacteria are bad but some bacteria blooms can be deadly to your fish. When the nutrient levels get extremely high the bacteria go ballistic and multiply rapidly.
Be sure to remove all dead or dying plants if you have a bacteria problem. If you are changing fifteen percent of your water and using a siphon to clean debris, this type of haze will not cause the fish harm. But it is essential that you get in under control quickly.
Another thing to look at is whether or not your fish are being overfed. This can also cause the water to get cloudy. Just check the bottom of the tank for leftover food - that would be a sure sign of overfeeding.
Fixing fish tank problems like cloudy water from algae can be a pain because it will be thick and green. One of the best ways to cut down on the amount of algae in a tank is by adding algae eating fish. Keeping your lights on for long periods will encourage algae growth as well as sunlight shining on the tank so make sure to watch the amount of lighting your tank gets to help prevent algae growth.
Did you change your lighting or the amount of time lights are on or off?
We'll figure this out!
 

chelly14301

New Member
Is your system closed or open, Top or no top?
Answer: Top
Most new rocks and decorations will cause cloudy water. If this is the case then your debris should settle and go away on it's own in a couple of days. Before adding the next decorations or rocks it best to soak them in separate water to get all the loose dirt off before adding them to your tank.
Answer: I havent added any new rocks or decorations since I set the tank up several years ago.
Another problem that can come from new fish tanks is a bacterial bloom. This can cause the water to have a haze and look rather gray. This can come from overfeeding the fish or dying plants.
Answer: Only one new fish that was added this week. The food dosent even make it to the bottom of the tank before the fish eat it. So its not a problem of overfeeding. No plants in the tank.
A sure sign of a bacteria bloom is when your water is milky and has a very bad odor. Not all bacteria are bad but some bacteria blooms can be deadly to your fish. When the nutrient levels get extremely high the bacteria go ballistic and multiply rapidly.
Answer: I would say that the water is milky. I can actually see the brownish tint seperate from the water. (hope you get the idea for what I am trying to say). Also the water smells terrible.
Be sure to remove all dead or dying plants if you have a bacteria problem. If you are changing fifteen percent of your water and using a siphon to clean debris, this type of haze will not cause the fish harm. But it is essential that you get in under control quickly.
Answer: No plants in the tank. Since I set it up I have never introduced plants.
Another thing to look at is whether or not your fish are being overfed. This can also cause the water to get cloudy. Just check the bottom of the tank for leftover food - that would be a sure sign of overfeeding.
Answer: No leftover food on the bottom.
Fixing fish tank problems like cloudy water from algae can be a pain because it will be thick and green. One of the best ways to cut down on the amount of algae in a tank is by adding algae eating fish. Keeping your lights on for long periods will encourage algae growth as well as sunlight shining on the tank so make sure to watch the amount of lighting your tank gets to help prevent algae growth.
Answer: The water isnt green its more of a brownish tint. This is where the situation gets very weird....... For the first hour when the light turns on in the morning the tank actually looks ok. Then within the first hour the brownish tint returns. My tank is in the basement in a room with no windows. So there is no sunlight ever shining on the tank.
Did you change your lighting or the amount of time lights are on or off?
Answer: Nope, the light is on a timer. I havent changed it since I set the tank up.
This crazy tank is going to get the best of me!
 

shyfish

Member
Hi,
I have green water issues. My water is usually so clear its hard to tell there is water in the tank.
All my water tests are perfect. So I was very stressed about a kind of green tinge.
I was told that UV lighting is great for keeping bacteria that floats in the water in check. Its a light that attaches to the water flow and as the water pass through it kills the bacteria and cleans the water. It won't kill the caraline but it will kill hair algea, another problem I have to deal with.
It will clear green water and brown. I priced a unit at $130.00 I don't have the funds right now but I am planning on getting one ASAP
 

chelly14301

New Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2925264
It sounds like you had a Diatom bloom. Have you used tap water lately?
Yes I have used tap water, I always use tap water when I do water changes. I am going to research diatom bloom and see what I need to do to treat it. Hopefully the diatom bloom is what it is and I can fix it.
 

horsemen

Member
ok how about this one when did you last change the bulbs? your bulbs may still turn not but not working at full strength
 

jimvette1

Member
I'm betting on some sort of diatom bloom from all of your answers.
:Smell.
:Clearer water in the morning (lights off).
:Uses tap water (really should change to RODI)
Try cutting down on lighting even if you leave them off all day (just to test).
I know, I know, You have always used tap water, should change to RODI....
Did you ever check your TDS of your tap water?
Maybe try removing your glass top. I have heard your water needs to exchange gasses.
I,m far from knowing the answer, just trying to help.
 

fish master

Member
whn i started my tanks i had cloudly water and couldnt clear it up. tried everything. sound like yours isnt new but could stil help. i bought uv sterilizer, cleared tank up within a week. i dont use it now, but i would if the water clouds up again
 

shyfish

Member
What made you stop using the UV? If it took a whole week are you sure thats what cleared the tank? How long did you have clouding issues before using UV?
I ask because I was considering getting one. OH the money I have spent on stuff I didn't really need! So I want to be sure before I buy something else.
Thanks
 
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