My water is cloudy

[ntvflgirl]

Hi everyone. Just setting up my tank today, and if you read my previous posts...having a bit of a problem. Anyway....my water is cloudy. We put in the cc, added water, then salt. It was cloudy from the start. Is this normal? Does it take a while to get clear, or have I already done something wrong? We used filtered tap water for the setup, which I have read is okay to do. Salinity looks good. What am I doing wrong if anything...also a power head ? I thought the water was supposed to come from the bottom of the power head. Mine is coming from the side and hitting the front of the tank. When I try to adjust it, it just stops flowing all together. When I try to reverse the water flow, it stops coming out of the side, and doesn't come out of the bottom either. Thanks for the help.
Rory

 

[pstanley]

It is normal for it to be cloudy at first. It should clear up in a couple of days if not overnight. Based on the information you provided it doesn't look like you did anything wrong. Using filtered tap water may cause you minor problems in the future (depending on how it was filtered.) As far as the water coming from the side of the powerhead it depends on the make and model. Most of them come from the bottom through a vent and shoot out the water from the front.

 

[ntvflgirl]

Well, we are really novices at this. I'll tell you what we have. We have an Aqua clear 402 power head for a 55 gallon tank. A Whisper 3 power filter which says it is for a 20-60 gallon tank, and filters 300 gallons per hour. I don't know what to do next. I would like to have a fowlr system for now, the live rock coming in spurts, which I understand my size tank will need 55 to 65 lbs. of lr. I would eventually like to have a reef system, but for now, I want to learn everything I can, and be comfortable with what I have. Do you have any suggestions for what else I may need to just fun fowlr. I only want maybe a clown fish, tang, couple of damsels, and maybe something else. It's mostly for the kids, as they are homeschooled, and this can teach them alot. We definately have a strict budget, and have put about 300.00 into it so far. Not opposed to spending more...actually looking forward to it, but my problem is that I can only spend about $50 to $100 at a time. Where is my best investment going to be? We have a cc base as well. Just set this up today, so, I'm going to the lfs really soon.
Rory

 

[wingnut]

i would get as much live rock as you can 60-80lbs wait about 3 weeks then add one fish wait a week and see how he dose then maby add anouther this hobbie is BEST done and will save you alot of money and save lives if you just take your time

 

[steamboat1569]

I totally agree with wingnut on this. As far as live rock and substrate are concerned, you should go no further until you have all you want in the tank. Adding more after you have livestock will have the chance of starting another cycle and killing living things.
I would also suggest a protien skimmer after cycling. You do not have to have any special lighting for the tank you are planning unless you have certain kinds of polyps or other corals on your live rock.

 

[wingnut]

wow someone finaly agrees with me LOL

 

[wingnut]

ive learnd more on this site in 4 days then i have in the 3 1/2 years ive been doing this my eyes and brain hurt lol

 

[pstanley]

I agree with everybody else...you will definately want a protein skimmer if you plan on having a reef eventually. The power filter and powerhead you are using should be fine. Based on what you have and are going to have I would probably recommend purchasing the skimmer or better lighting. I am assuming you are using the lighting that came with the tank? Unfortunately you won't be able to support many inverts with that setup. For fish only (with no live rock) it would be fine.