Cloudy water affecting corals and fish

[ricksta]

Last night I purchased some more live rocks, freshly flown in from Indonesia and after putting them inside the aquarium, the water became cloudy. It has been the same since then. I have an Ocellaris Clown and a Yellowtail Damsel, which are not as active as usual and three corals that aren't opening at all.
We have a filter, the salt level is 1.024 and everything else seems to be fine. I have a feeling that I should be concerned and any suggestions would definitely be appreciated.

 

[ricksta]

If I told you that I purchased the live rocks from a store last night, would it make a difference?

 

[ricksta]

I have no idea, but I have taken them out right now and thank you for your advice.

 

[karajay]

Can you run some carbon in your filter? Might help to clear it up.
In the meantime, you can throw your rocks in a bucket of saltwater with a powerhead and a heater to cure. Just test the water until the ammonia and nitrites are 0. Then you can put it back in.

 

[tagg]

I would also do a partial water change after you get the readings to lessen the bio-load.

 

[dreeves]

Cure the rock out of the tank...do a 30% or so water change to try and remove some of the stuff you got in the water, monitor your ammonia and nitrites for a few days and be prepared for additional water changes as those two rise.

 

[ricksta]

Thank you for your help everyone. I appreciate it. Fortunately, everything is back to normal and the fish are healthy again. After taking the rocks out we changed the water and once more after three days.
How long should I wait before getting more inhabitants inside... fish, shrimp? And how many hermit crabs should I have to get rid of all the algae? For your information, the fish have been inside the aquarium for exactly four weeks tonight and I have a thirty odd gallon tank.

 

[dreeves]

Let your nitrites and amonia settle and level off for a few days...