Noobie looking for help with filtration

[pharris]

Hi all

I am new to fish keeping and have just setup my very first tank.

My setup is about 8 weeks old and all live stock and peramiters look fine, the trouble is I am having one problem that I just cannot resolve.

My water looks dirty, it is full of tiny floating particals.

How do I get that crystal clear look that all my LFS have.

My tank is a RIO180, I have about 20Kg of live rock the Juwel internal filter is full of filter wool, the Fluval 305 external filter is full of live rock rubble and filter wool and I also have a filter cartridge on one of the power heads with filter wool.

The partical do look like they are being blown out of the Fluval.

Anyone got any tips to help with this.

Many thanks

Paul

[The R/C Man]

Hey Paul!

Well to start out is your tank a fish only or reef? There could be many reason for the particals. It cold be just micro bubbles caused by air entering the water through the return. With that said, most people have done away with the traditional canister filters and have opted for a more natural type of filtration using live rock and a protein skimmer.....

[pharris]

Hi

Thanks for the reply

My tank is basicaly FOWLR

I was thinking about pulling the canister but couldn't find out if the Belin System was still a valid option.

Thanks

[The R/C Man]

If you pull the canister and add a skimmer you should be good....

[Reefland]

Keep up with water changes too.

[Mr.Firemouth]

Your profile says United Kingdom. I have subscribed to PRACTICAL FISHKEEPING for years and one common thread in the U.K. was water quality. Are you using tap water or are you using R.O. water? If you are using R.O. water where is it from? Have you tested the water you are using before you add it to the tank? Are you using a skimmer now? If not I highly recommend that you make that a priority!

Your setup is still relatively new and it is possible that it hasn't completely cycled yet. If it has, great but test the water and post the results of the tap water and the tank water here. We will help you more from there.

[pharris]

Thanks for the replies

I am using RO Water, the TDS of my water is 13 out 400 in (My filter has no DI Unit so 13 is about right (0 Nitrates)

I do have a skimmer running 24/7 a v3Skim600

Water peramiters are

Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Natrate 5 Phosprose 5, pH 8.2, S/G 1.023 temp 27c.

Water changes are done every 7 to 10 days 50 lts.

Thanks

[The R/C Man]

I keep forgetting that the canister filters are always a good way to add water flow in the tank. Just remove all the media and you create a closed loop. You could also add carbon to remove any yellowing of your water....

[Mr.Firemouth]

You posted...Phosprose 5, does this mean phosphate test is 5ppm? Phosphate ideally should be below.01ppm.
If your phosphate reading is high purchase ROWAPHOS and add it to your system. It should help alot.

[The R/C Man]

Good eye! Adding to that, fish food conatians phosophates. By limiting the amount of food you feed to your fish (only what they will eat in a couple of minutes) you can significantly reduce phosophate levels....

[pharris]

Yes it 5ppm and untill a couple of days ago I was using ROWAphos and it did nothing to the level, so I took it out and replaced it with live rock rubble.

[Reefland]

5ppm sound shigh for Phosphates. What kind of test kit are you using? Can you verify the reading with another kit?

[pharris]

The test kit I am using is made my API, I have not been able to find another make localy.

[Reefland]

Can you take a small water sample to a local store and ask them to test for verification of this reading?