Salifert test question/ Cloudy tank. (1 Viewer)

[NarnyTheGreat]

I am still cycling the tank and I am getting to the end. I have been noticing that there is a slight fog to the tank. I read something about calcium causing something like a calcium saturation but I dont really recall nor do I completely understand it.

I was testing today and noticed that my calcium test didnt get "clear" blue like the directions said to look for but instead its a dark blue but absolutely not clear (could not see through it). Do I need to just look for the blue color and not worry about the clear aspect? The test doesnt expire until 2016 so thats good, I dont know what this cloud could be.

I am trying to read through a bunch of reefing articles but I dont read chemistry to well, more of a hands on/audio learner.

60 gallon cube with 10/15 gallon sump

Perimeters this morning...

ALK 8.6 dkh or 3.08 meg/l
Cal 450 (this is the point that it turned blue but not clear) or higher if truly trying to get a clear blue color for the test.
Mg 1500
Nitrite is less than .01 but still shows light pink tint/hue.
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0
PH 8.1

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Anyone?

 

[steveb]

I always run the test until the color changes from pink to blue. I don't recall it ever being "clear" per say.

I like these two articles.

Calcium and Alkalinity by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

It was your post in here http://www.marsh-reef.org/marine-and-reef-chemistry/42567-magnesium-question.html that lead me to read about calcium saturation but I couldnt really understand what I was reading. I reran the test and the results are 450.

Any reason the tank would be cloudy?

My Phosphorus Checker is reading really high at .432306 though I have NO idea while its so high as I have put nothing in it other that sand and rock and a shrimp of course for the cycling. I think I will go ahead and turn on my protein skimmer. Maybe that would help.

 

[steveb]

Your Alk, Ca and Mg numbers are actually pretty much inline with mine.

I'm not really fond of the ULR Phosphorous HI736 checker. I have lots of issues getting consistent readings. I also have the HI713 phosphate checker and get much more reliable/consistent results.

You might want to get your phosphorous/phosphate level double checked as I had reagents go bad on my 713 even thought they where still w/in the use by date.

 

[steveb]

A lot of times rock will hold phosphate and release it back into the water trying to reach an equilibrium level.

 

[Mark L.]

Since you are still cycling, are you running carbon, filter socks, etc? I would run the skimmer also. Let it start breaking in. My tank was cloudy for like 3 months when it was new. It slowly cleared up and was crystal clear by 6 months in. My levels were all in check like yours.

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Since you are still cycling, are you running carbon, filter socks, etc? I would run the skimmer also. Let it start breaking in. My tank was cloudy for like 3 months when it was new. It slowly cleared up and was crystal clear by 6 months in. My levels were all in check like yours.

No I have not been running anything until yesterday when I turned on my skimmer. I plan to add carbon this week. I am trying to decide how I want to run it (reactor or passive). Its all a matter of room.

When did you start adding things to your tank? I am in no hurry to do so but I am going to Next Wave in May and would like to be able to buy if I found something.

I started reading here Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com about the removal of phosphates and how in some cases the complete removal of the sand bed was required... I would be interested in anyone's thoughts on this as I might now consider it. First though I need to make sure I am correct in this problem.


EDIT*** I retested the phosphates with a Seachem Phosphate tester and the phosphates are between .2 and .5

 

[Diesel]

Cloudy tank after setup is part of the cycling process.
Your numbers are all some what inline and can't cause this cloudiness.
As you mentioned there's no livestock in the tank as of now there's no way your bacteria load can stay alive.
Get a cheap fish so you start up the bacteria process, spike your tank with some bacteria in a day after you put in some livestock.
Of course running your skimmer to break it in is always positive.
Wait with carbon as you need a natural process first of clearing your water up.

 

[mwilliams62]

I know I am no pro here but I never had a cloudy tank during cycling. The only time it was ever cloudy was when I use to use that Salinity salt stuff and I never used it again. What salt mix are you using?

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Cloudy tank after setup is part of the cycling process.
Your numbers are all some what inline and can't cause this cloudiness.
As you mentioned there's no livestock in the tank as of now there's no way your bacteria load can stay alive.
Get a cheap fish so you start up the bacteria process, spike your tank with some bacteria in a day after you put in some livestock.
Of course running your skimmer to break it in is always positive.
Wait with carbon as you need a natural process first of clearing your water up.

I have kept a shrimp in the tank the whole time its been cycling. When the first shrimp was finished I put another small bit in and its still has some meat to it. The cycling is just about done. I am just waiting for that last bit of pink hue/tint to leave the nitrite tests. I also have some snails and chaeto on its way. They will be delivered tomorrow.

I know I am no pro here but I never had a cloudy tank during cycling. The only time it was ever cloudy was when I use to use that Salinity salt stuff and I never used it again. What salt mix are you using?

I was thinking about that too actually. I am using Salinity salt. The tank hasnt always been cloudy I dont think. It normally only happens during mixing of the salt, but I have thought about switching. I just dont know which kind.

What kind do you use and why?

 

[mwilliams62]

I use different ones. I use Kent Marine, Seachem Reef Salt, Red Sea Coral Pro, Coralife marine salt and EVS B-Ionic but I really need to get a digital scale next time I buy that one. I really like that one because you don't have to wait to use it. Plus I try to buy it when Marine Depot is running sales.

 

[steveb]

Fritz aquatics salt - is clear w/in one to two hours. I love it. I am switching off of Red Sea Coral Pro. You can get it at FJW.

 

[mwilliams62]

Fritz aquatics salt - is clear w/in one to two hours. I love it. I am switching off of Red Sea Coral Pro. You can get it at FJW.

Is this the salt mix that was being discussed at the meeting Saturday?

 

[steveb]

Yes.......

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

What was the talk about this salt? I didnt get to go Saturday.

I ordered some Kent phosphate sponge. It will be here tomorrow. It should work very fast... a day or two tops. If that doesnt help the phosphates and the cloudiness then I will do a water change and change the salts. In the mean time I set up a carbon reactor and hope that will help a bit.

Wish me luck...

 

[Diesel]

............

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

I am betting its the phosphates causing the cloudiness. I dont know for sure, I just know they are high to start with so might as well deal with them while I can. I have had a bacteria bloom before and this isnt it.... thats more like a milky white cloud in the tank, though as long as its gone by Next Wave I dont really care what it is. First will be the phosphates and then if thats not it I will tackle something else.