"Milky" Water Please Help

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joegalvan

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
5
Location
Austin, TX
Hello all,

I have just recently converted my 120 into a saltwater tank. I am wanting a reef tank - Live rock , coral, anenomes , fish -- I have had salt tanks before. The problem that I seem to run into is that the water always seems to have a "milky" color. I know that most tanks should not have this. My freshwaters seemed to have it also, well I guess it was more "bloom" for them. I am going to attach pics of the recently setup tank. I can also take pics of the sump as well. I also have a Cascade CAnnister Filter ( for tanks up to 200 gallons) I can add. If anyone can please help me get my water clear, I would appreciate it.

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:cry:
 
How long has the water been in there? What are you cycling with? What is your SG? Type of salt used? Answering some of these questions might help to figure out what your problem is.

I had water that looked cloudy like that for a few days. It was part of my cycle and my LFS store wasn't at all surprised when I called them in a panick. If you're not cycling yet then something else must be the culprit for the cloudy water...
 
yea, the tank has been up for 4 days or so... But it seems that I had this problem even when my other was up for months.

I think that my salenity is 1.24
Instant Ocean Salt.
And nothing to cycle it but natural.. I was going to get some Turbo Start, but I havent had the chance yet
 
Do you mean 1.024? It still looks like there is some undissolved salt on the bottom of the tank. You might need to let it dissolve out completely (4 days should have done it) or test again and add fresh water to bring salin down if it is above 1.025.
 
Lol - Yea the Salinity (sp) is 1.025 I just tested.

Whats in the bottom of the tank is old sand from the previous setup that I had. :) Impossible to get it ALL out ;)
 
I used a product a couple of years back called "Filter Aid" when I had cloudy water. Cleared it up within 2 days. Of course, I knew the source of my cloudy water, it was the sand not being 100% rinsed.

I don't think there are any "cons" to using Filter Aid, but maybe someone here can charm in on the use of this product. Worked fine for me.
 
I wouldn't add any of those "additives" unless you absolutely need to. Success in a marine tank it centered around how close you are able to recreate the natural ocean environment. I wouldn't worry to much about it. When you get your sand and LR in there and the tank has cycled, it should clear up. BTW, are you using RO DI water or just tap water? Using RO water will be much more beneficial for your tank.

Your source water may the solution to the milky water. HTH! and good luck.
 
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