300 gallon water clarity vs. 180 gallon

[busymom23]

I don't understand how the 180 water is crystal clear, but the 300 isn't! Is it the lighting? The fact the 300 has a sump? Any ideas you have are appreciated!!!


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[Ricky 1]

The smaller tank would clear easier as a smaller amount of water is turning over through the filter, both tanks look pretty good to me looking at those pics......filter floss/pad I find is the best to use in your filter for clarity

 

[Rare]

I will have to say the lights. What are you running now? I'm running T5 with some 10k to 12k and actinic lights. I was running a few bulbs before and didnt pop, as soon as i added all of them it came alive. I placed in order for 120w dimmable full color spectrum coming from China. I bough it on Monday & should be here Tuesday. I got it for $111.00. Its the same one you see on that mega thread about lights on AA. I will let you know how it goes. I only ordered 1 but will need 3 to light the whole aquarium. For now it should do

 

[busymom23]

These are close ups of water in each tank...the 300 has marine land double bright led lighting...and there's 3 separate lights!!


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[busymom23]

Here's the lights


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[Rare]

Now, i see it. What's in your sump?

 

[Ricky 1]

Its not the lights it's the filtration in the 300, have you just set the 300 up? looks like the sand residue could be causing that......

 

[Rare]

You did clean out the sand in the 300, correct?

 

[busymom23]

Yea, sand was washed when the tank was set up, it's been set up since February, so almost a year..


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[Rare]

What inside the sump for filtration and what pump are you using? It's just now that you are not seeing as clear or was it always like that?

 

[busymom23]

The sump has different bays for the water to go over and under, media includes ceramic rings, bio balls, and bags of carbon, it's a 55 gallon sump. 300 also has fx6 filtering as well.


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[busymom23]

It's always been like that....never got as clear as the others..


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[Rare]

So, what's catching all this before it hits your media? No filter pad or anything?

 

[busymom23]

No, only bays before media and bays after media


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[sealife]

Wow the water in small tank is crystal clear. What filter is it?

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[busymom23]

The 180 gallon has 2 Fluval 406


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