Is This Normal

[heath]

Need advise, did a water change today on the 125, did 50 gal (not a huge one), the water is a bit cloudy, its the first wc since the tank was filled. The water is clear but the tank looks cloudy. Is this something that I should be concerned with or just let it clear totally? My nitrates were a bit high this morning when I did my weekly test..

 

[Big_Als_London]

How long did you let the new water mix for? When it was in the pail did it look cloudy? I find it usually goes away after a couple hours but maybe check your ammonia to make sure something hasn't spiked.

 

[heath]

I've been making new water all week, I should have said that I was starting to have a cyano outbreak, Its clearing now..a couple of the pails did look a bit cloudy, thanks arron..

 

[saltyair]

50 gal in a 125 is concerned a large water change. Could be a bacteria bloom. Is tnis a new set up?

 

[heath]

yes, its a new set up..

 

[heath]

I should also mention, I have electric heat so I have a lot of water evaporation. I have been adding/ topping up the water at a rate of roughly 8 to 10 gals per week..

 

[reef keeper]

Holy moly. You have an ATO for that? There is a used osmolator for sale on here.

 

[pulpfiction1]

im 10 gallons a week as well but have NG heating

 

[heath]

my place is really dry, I've tried a humidifier and it doesn't seem to make a difference..even the coral tank takes about 4 to 6 gals a week, its a 46 gal.. I hate winter and having the heat on, I want warm weather and then I can open my windows..

 

[pulpfiction1]

your evaporation isnt to high,my 10g estimate is conservative at best

 

[saltyair]

I am also using 10+ gal a week.
Enough of winter!
Are you still cycling? If so dont do water changes until you start adding fish.

I would also suggest only doing 10-20% wc per month unless a major contaminant gets into the system.

Bacteria blooms are mostly harmless unless prolonged

 

[heath]

I am soo done with winter, my least favourite time of year.
The tank has cycled, I used bacteria this time and I have fish in the tank. I'm beginning to think that if I had know what was involved with this upgrade, chances are I would not have done it..stayed with my 90 gal not drilled tank..

 

[barebottomcouple]

don't get discouraged just stick with it and it will level out as tank matures

 

[reef keeper]

It happened to me too when my tank was new. No worries. Now I think of it I'm ripping 15-20 g a week lol

 

[Sewerat]

My small ATO 10gal tank need to be filled about every other day I swear. But i have a lot of surface area between the 75, 90 sump, and 40 refuge.

Now cloudy could be a few things. It is guess sand particulates or crud off rocks, where'd you pour water in from tank or sump? I'd get some filter cloth and stuff one level of the sump with some to filter out some of that crap. Usually it will go cloudy for a few hours with the fresh water but cycle out quick. I'd be willing to bet yours is just floating particulates

 

[reefgeek]

How much exposed surface area do you have? any way to put lids or covers on areas of the sump? With my 300 I was going through 3-4 gallons per day! Then I placed my canopy overtop and now loose half of that.

 

[heath]

ok, thanks everyone, It did clear up, this morning its crystal clear. When I added the water I added it to the sump. I have had crud dust on the rocks and I have been blowing it off and its down to minimal now. as for the surface, the top is open at the moment, I am having a canopy built for it. I can't put covers over the sump, too much equipment, that's a good thing..

 

[heath]

I think that I am paranoid with this tank, maybe trying to hard..

 

[scubasteve]

we are all paranoid with our tanks especially after the 1000's we have invested lol

 

[Sewerat]

Tank is looking normal to me. Some crabs and some snails will help clean up the mess in it now. Get a grab bag of red and blue legs, some Astraea and some trochus snails. Likely need about 10-15 crabs and about same of snails to get the CUC working full time. Trick will be locating the snails in stock someplace.