Adding canister filter made water less clear??

[mjinxed]

I have a relatively new 75gal freshwater tank with juvinile african cichlids. Originally I had just an Aquaclear 110 HOB and the water was crystal clear (one of THE most important things to me). Knowing that I'd need extra filtration as these guys grow, I picked up a Marineland C-360 canister filter on a black friday special. Since installing it a couple weeks ago, the water is no longer crystal clear. It's just...pretty clear. There's a faint white haze in the water I can't seem to get rid of. Any ideas how I can restore the crystaline water clarity??

 

[JoeFreshnSalt]

Hi mjinxed I spoke with you before about purigen. How did you setup your canister from bottom to top hand did you rinse all of your filter media before starting up your new filter? Your purigen did it come in a bag or did you put the purigen in a bag yourself?

 

[mjinxed]

Hi Joe

- Bottom tray is sponge
- Next tray, which would normally have carbon, has about 200ml Purigen in "The Bag" (pictured below) along with some filter floss
- next tray are plastic bio balls
- final tray is ceramic rings with a polishing pad on top

The inside of the canister, the trays, and all media was washed thoroughly before starting, except for the filter floss, which went in dry.

The Aquaclear 110 also has a bit of filter floss sitting on top of the carbon - that went in a week before the canister filter and is what made the final difference to make the water crystal clear with the AC110 alone.

 

[JoeFreshnSalt]

I was thinking about the purigen possibly leeching into your tank causing the cloudiness. Another thing to consider is you arrangement of filter media. I would put the purigen and floss above all other media. I have a cascade1500 and my trays (bottom to top) goes fluval prefilter media, sponge, matrix, purigen and floss. I hope this helps you.

 

[mjinxed]

Is Matrix a replacement for the ceramic rings? Sorry, don't know anything about Matrix.

 

[Fresh2o]

Is Matrix a replacement for the ceramic rings? Sorry, don't know anything about Matrix.

It is a similar product.
No apologies needed. It's a learning process.

 

[mjinxed]

Thanks! I will give that a try this week and let you know [emoji4][emoji106]

 

[mjinxed]

So it has been over a month and the fog has not cleared [emoji24] tank has been steady at 0-0.10 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 30-40 nitrate for over a month now. Testing 1-2x per week with liquid API master kit. 20-40% Water changes 1-2x per week. Feeding once a day what they eat on ~45-60 seconds. I have multiple other tanks that are crystal clear. Why won't this water clear up?!?! [emoji24][emoji27][emoji25]

 

[Toad]

It really looks like bits of something solid, not sure why your filter isn't clearing it up, unless it's not catching things right or something in the tank is 'shedding'.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[mjinxed]

It really looks like bits of something solid, not sure why your filter isn't clearing it up, unless it's not catching things right or something in the tank is 'shedding'.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app

I agree the particles are bigger then when I last posted [emoji21]

AquaClear 110 HOB has gravel then course sponge then green pond medium/fine filter then Purigen then ceramic rings

Marineland C360 canister has course sponge, green pond medium/fine filter then bio balls and ceramic rings then Purigen.

 

[mjinxed]

Here is a video that shows the particles better: https://youtu.be/93BmSAU_Nfg

 

[TMaier]

Floss in the canister should help. But I have to ask, how is the draw on the intake? Are the particles being drawn into the canister?

 

[mjinxed]

Floss in the canister should help. But I have to ask, how is the draw on the intake? Are the particles being drawn into the canister?

Considering how much particles are in the water and their obvious size, one would think it would be pretty easy to see it flowing into the intake - but I don't see any going into the intake. When I am doing water changes, though, the output shows plenty of flow so there's definitely no clog. I've also tried Polyfill floss and cushion batting and that hasn't helped either.

I'm not sure if this is relevant but I inadvertently used live sand meant for Reef aquariums when I set this tank up 3 months ago.

 

[TMaier]

I am not familiar with the sand you used. But if the particles are not making it to the filter then I suggest you keep vacuuming the particles out. I'm crazy though. I would remove all but about 2-3 inches of water for the fish to hang out in. Put that water back into the tank but only after filtering the particles out. Perhaps while siphoning it out, run it the 50-100 micron filter media. It may take a few while. But if it comes right back i would change the substrate.

 

[mjinxed]

I am not familiar with the sand you used. But if the particles are not making it to the filter then I suggest you keep vacuuming the particles out. I'm crazy though. I would remove all but about 2-3 inches of water for the fish to hang out in. Put that water back into the tank but only after filtering the particles out. Perhaps while siphoning it out, run it the 50-100 micron filter media. It may take a few while. But if it comes right back i would change the substrate.

I tried doing a massive water change like that a couple weeks ago. Shocked the hell out of the fish - they were all twitchy for hours.

 

[Delapool]

I run a planted tank with several filters so pretty used to watching leaves float around and have never got to the crystal clear stage.

In the larger filter though I have doubled (or just stuffed in until full) fine sponge filter and filter wool.

You could try seachem clarity if it is some particles that just won't settle or filter.

 

[TMaier]

I tried doing a massive water change like that a couple weeks ago. Shocked the hell out of the fish - they were all twitchy for hours.

Don't change the water. Use the same water and put it back in the tank. I'm suggesting you manually filter out the particles since they aren't making it to the canister.

 

[mjinxed]

I run a planted tank with several filters so pretty used to watching leaves float around and have never got to the crystal clear stage.

In the larger filter though I have doubled (or just stuffed in until full) fine sponge filter and filter wool.

You could try seachem clarity if it is some particles that just won't settle or filter.

I haven't tried Seachem Clarity but I tried the Tetra brand version. Didn't help.

 

[mjinxed]

Don't change the water. Use the same water and put it back in the tank. I'm suggesting you manually filter out the particles since they aren't making it to the canister.

Where do I get a fine mesh like what you're talking about?

 

[TMaier]

Amazon has both. Here is a link to the 100.

Polishing Filter Pad 100 Micron - Aquarium Prefilter Media - 24" by 36" Made In USA (1 pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014G7WTRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jo5PybPA1ZVET