So I set up my 60 gallon a couple of weeks ago with dirt capped by STS. I rinsed the daylights out of the STS but then did something that I thought would not be stupid but turned out to be-I transfered the rinsed STS into buckets the had some calcium montimorlite clay in the bottoms of them. Now I have cloudy water that won't seem to go away! The tank is filtered by an Aquaclear 110 and a Perfect HW-403B(knock off canister)filter. I have changed water and cleaned the filters numerous times. Yesterday I dug out my old Vortex diatom filter and ran it all day. I changed out the powder twice because it clogged up! It made a huge difference. I turned on the lights this this morning and now I see a slight haze in the water. Will this go away once the filters and tank are cycled? I'm hoping any biofilm forming on the substrate will trap any remaining dust.
Cloudy water from STS
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What is STS?
It's best to let cloudy tank settle for a day or two with no water movement. Running your HOB and Canister just keep stirring up the dust. Even water changes must be massive to flush out the suspended particles.
The Diatom filter is about the only thing that has a fine enough filter to be effective.
I suggest turn off your HOB & Canister for a few hours, do one more water change if that isn't enough, run the Diaton filter again.
It's best to let cloudy tank settle for a day or two with no water movement. Running your HOB and Canister just keep stirring up the dust. Even water changes must be massive to flush out the suspended particles.
The Diatom filter is about the only thing that has a fine enough filter to be effective.
I suggest turn off your HOB & Canister for a few hours, do one more water change if that isn't enough, run the Diaton filter again.
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STS = Safe T Sorb.
Yes, your cloudiness will go away as the tank settles. Working to correct it, for the most part, tends to cause more cloudiness. Just give it some time and be sure you clean your filters to make sure there's no excessive buildup.
Could also run a sponge filter or two for a while to help remove particles from the water.
Yes, your cloudiness will go away as the tank settles. Working to correct it, for the most part, tends to cause more cloudiness. Just give it some time and be sure you clean your filters to make sure there's no excessive buildup.
Could also run a sponge filter or two for a while to help remove particles from the water.
You may WANT to stir it up MORE. Deliberately MAKE A MESS.
Then clean it up, knowing you are removing materials that could cloud the water later. For example when you are moving a plant.
I've this in more than one tank, in effect, rinsing the substrate in the tank.
Yes, eventually most of these materials will be incorporated in the bio film or in some other way locked up so they do not cloud the water, but I like removing these things during set up so there is less for the tank's microorganisms to have to deal with.
Then clean it up, knowing you are removing materials that could cloud the water later. For example when you are moving a plant.
I've this in more than one tank, in effect, rinsing the substrate in the tank.
Yes, eventually most of these materials will be incorporated in the bio film or in some other way locked up so they do not cloud the water, but I like removing these things during set up so there is less for the tank's microorganisms to have to deal with.
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