Cloudy Tank

[jsolomon]

The last few days I have noticed that my tank has been cloudy. It is usually crystal clear. I have taken the pad out of the filter and rinsed it thoroughly more than once. Any suggestions?
My tank is 92 gallon bow front, crushed coral and dolomite base, no live rock, 600GPH filter on back of tank, 79-80 degrees, 2 hippo tangs, 3 percs, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 decorator crab, and 3 red hermits. Thanks for the help.

 

[puff(er) daddy]

I always thought that my tank was clear until I added l/r and it's now more clear than ever before. You can also do more frequent water changes, and you can try adding carbon to the filter.

 

[rapt0r32]

Your bottom dwellers could be kicking up the CC
Just a thought <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[jsolomon]

Already have carbon in the filter. I did stir up some of the crushed coral when I cleaned the tank a few days ago. Maybe it will just take more time to settle out of the water. Thanks.

 

[broomer5]

Did the cloudy water appear before of after your first rinsing of the filter pad ?
Sometimes just rinsing out the filter pad can cause your water to cloud for awhile.
Did you rinse it in tap water ?
If this filter is your only biofiltration - you may have lost some of the beneficial bacteria the process of cleaning the pad.
Or - could just be the substrate as mentioned.

 

[jsolomon]

Yes, the filter pad is my only source of biofiltration. I rinse this pad in salt water to prevent killing the bacteria in the pad. Isnt this the way it should be done?

 

[broomer5]

Yep absolutely

 

[thewolfman777]

yes it is. rinsing w/ tap water will kill beneficial bacteria (which we all strive for) you doing the right thing

 

[rapt0r32]

Was the water cloudy before you stirred up the CC?