Best way to get and keep sparkling clear water?

[longdrinkofwater31]

Anyone have a way that they keep their tank water crystal clear? Mine just seems to be a little bit on the dirty side all of the time and i want to get it back to the clear stage. Also how often should you replace the bulb in tank? I have not changed mine yet but it looks like it is loosing some of its juice.

Thanks everyone

 

[PaintballFan07]

For crystal clear water u need to thoroughly gravel vac your tank. (Change out at least 50%) You also need a good filter. When changing water be sure to scrub down all sides of the tank with a algae brush, or a good paper towel. I dont kno about the lights. I just change my bulbs when they die.

 

[BettaMomma]

Hi -
it might be helpful to post what kinds of fishes you have in your tank so we can offer suggestions

Also what size your tank is.

 

[longdrinkofwater31]

I have a 7 gallon tank with a damsel (my starter fish which is still alive) and a false clown (got him two days ago). As for a clean up crew, i have two blue legged crabs and 1 turbo snail.

 

[Blue Lobster]

What color is the water, whitish haze, greenish soup? Do you have driftwood? Is this tank near a window?

The quick way, like having a party in a couple weeks and want it looking nice? Change it every 3 days, 20% till it clears.


More filtration couldn't hurt if you want really clear water. Toss in one of these.

 

[Dubby]

If you have tiny bits in the water - almost like talc - add filter wool to your filter. It really does wonders

 

[loopy]

My water was quite murky for a while. We put it down to the bogwood (even though i'd soaked it before putting it in the tank). We changedthe filter pads to some that had a much tighter weave and they seemed to work.

 

[BobK]

What type of filter do you have? What is the gallons per hour rating?

 

[Teelie]

He has saltwater fish in an extremely small nano tank. Cleanilness will be next to impossible.

 

[Ed4567]

Ok a few of points:

Firstly you are probably going through the normal algae cycle near enough everyone gets with a new saltwater tank, there are plenty of threads on this in the saltwater section of this forum, but basically decrease the nurtrients going into the tank (use RO water), add a cleanup crew, increase export of nutrients from the tank (grow and harvest macro algae, add a protein skimmer, increase water change frequecy), and just wait it out.

Secondly as has been said in another thread you made in the saltwater section, 7 gallons really isnt big enough for a fish long term, both in terms of size and keeping the environment stable. I would definatly consider upgrading to at least a 20 gallon tank.

Thirdly, damsels are generally very aggressive and not a suitable tank mate for a clownfish in a nano tank.

He has saltwater fish in an extremely small nano tank. Cleanilness will be next to impossible.

It is possible to have very clean nano-tanks as long as stocking is sensible. Just look at www.nano-reef.com

 

[mandi]

It is possible to have very clean nano-tanks as long as stocking is sensible. Just look at www.nano-reef.com

Absolutely. A friend of mine has a nano done in a 5 gallon Eclipse (hex) tank, and it's stunning (1 damsel, lots of snails & hermits, 1 feather duster, & mushrooms). I have a 5.5 gallon (1 damsel, inverts, & 1 peppermint shrimp), and the water is perfectly clear, though I do have a bit of algae on the one wall (darn it).

I do agree though -- if you want to keep the clown, I'd get rid of the damsel. They're very territorial, especailly in a small tank and when they don't have others of their kind to "stick with".

Incidentally, how many lbs of live rock do you have? I know some people that keep nanos don't use filtration at all -- they simply depend on "natural filtration" from the LR and clean up crew. I don't know about doing that myself , but it seems a few extra lbs of LR may help if you can cram some more in there.

 

[fishycomics]

I stopped reading after the second post and i am a comedian ha ha ha stop adding ocean water and it'll be clean.

 

[BettaMomma]

Blue Lobster - INCREDIBLE photo of, well - yourself.

LOL

 

[Teelie]

Ok a few of points:

Firstly you are probably going through the normal algae cycle near enough everyone gets with a new saltwater tank, there are plenty of threads on this in the saltwater section of this forum, but basically decrease the nurtrients going into the tank (use RO water), add a cleanup crew, increase export of nutrients from the tank (grow and harvest macro algae, add a protein skimmer, increase water change frequecy), and just wait it out.

Secondly as has been said in another thread you made in the saltwater section, 7 gallons really isnt big enough for a fish long term, both in terms of size and keeping the environment stable. I would definatly consider upgrading to at least a 20 gallon tank.

Thirdly, damsels are generally very aggressive and not a suitable tank mate for a clownfish in a nano tank.

He has saltwater fish in an extremely small nano tank. Cleanilness will be next to impossible.

It is possible to have very clean nano-tanks as long as stocking is sensible. Just look at www.nano-reef.com

With his set up it's impossible. I've seen nano tanks that are clean but no tank set up like this could be. It's just too difficult.

 

[fufanu360]

He has saltwater fish in an extremely small nano tank. Cleanilness will be next to impossible.

good burn...