Crystal Clean Water...

[Jenks74]

Hi all,

Just joined this forum and have been having abit of a nose at all of your established tanks, an one thing that i've noticed is that the water conditions in the vast majority of them seem to be like glass (in other words perfect ).

I've had my new tank set-up for roughly 7 months, and in my haste to get it done (in other words rushing) put two large tubs of jbl proflora at the bottom layer of substrate (unwashed), then topped with sand (washed) thinking that as the proflora was capped it would be ok...

Anyway fast forward 7 months an multipull 50% water changes, polishing pads/polishing wool in my external an i've just try'd using seachem clarity with mixed results..?! The water in the tank still seems to have tiny particles floating in the water, that seem to bypass the filter - has anybody had the same sort of problem, an if so how did you get around it..?

I'm thinking that in time, and with water changes the problem will pass - just wondering if there is anyway to speed up the process ie: Been thinking about trying to cap my substrate with more sand as in time the proflora may have worked its way through the sand due to my corys digging, or is there a specific internal filter i could try - or i've read about purigen (although i think that maybe more for tanins?)

Otherwise apart from that my tank is fine, it's a 55gallon planted running which is a fluval 405 which is fully cycled an all my levels are spot on. The only digging fish that i have in there are corys, they only really go down 5/6mm so not really prolific burrowers.

If anybody has managed to stick with me through my epic 3rd posting, (imagine the size of the post if i had a real problem lol ), thanks in advance for any advice.

All the best nick.

 

[SteelerLuke]

Hi Jenks,

Have you thought about using an under-gravel filter?

The clearest tanks I have seen have all had these & I intend on getting one myself when I completely overhaul my tank in a few weeks.

 

[Mowbz]

I wouldnt bother with an under gravel personally, but then i have sand, so it would never work.

I use a whole basket of filter wool in the top chamber of my external. I change out half of it ever 6 weeks or so. Works a treat. Bottom 2 chambers have a mix of medium density foam and a ton of ceramic noodles.

 

[moochy13]

i am at this second in the middle of cleaning my filter, and im putting some purigen into it, which is apparently some sort of awesomeness in a bag when it comes to keeping water clear. my tank has quite a few messy fish in it, so its going to have to be good to make a difference.

we will see.......

 

[nurglespuss]

Hey there Nick,

I've (eventually) managed to crystal clear water in my aquarium, by use of over filtration, filter wool and regular water changes.

I think its a case of balance and eliminating algae etc.

 

[Jenks74]

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Steelerluke - I've got sand as a substrate, so im pretty sure that undergravel filter would get blocked pretty quick - guessing that if your gravel or another similar fairly large substrate it would work ok (plus i've only just managed to get my plants to start growing so dont really want to rip it all down lol).

Mowbz - what type of external are you using..? Can you get that medium density foam from ebay, was thinking about trying to track down something like that as i've been using polishing filters/wool in my fluval an it seem's to be taking an aaggeeeee to clear lol (plus a great deal of water changes).

Moochy13 - It'll be interesting to find out what that purigen is like, heard some good thing's about it - keep us informed..!

Nurglespuss - That's pretty much what i've been thinking, dont really think that there is a 'miracle cure'. Guess like you said it's just trying to get all balances right, an to stay on top of your water husbandry.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[BigC]

You will only attain "Gin Clear Water" by periodic use of a Diatomic Filter.
Regards
C

 

[minnnt]

Purigen and plenty of floss in your filter will work wonders. End of.

 

[steve1]

Purigen and plenty of floss in your filter will work wonders. End of.

when you say floss am i thinking of dental floss lmao? or am i being stupid

 

[minnnt]

LOL! Why not give it a go and see?

Filter floss or wool.

 

[nurglespuss]

LOL! Sorry, older terminology! Filter Wool, it can be used to provide that final polish to water returning to the aquarium. I use it in my smaller (e700) external after a problem with our tap water, but not in my larger (e900) which has coarse sponge/ceramics/bioballs.

Cheers

 

[steve1]

ahh cool will any filter wool do as in the square sheet's you can buy? are these better then the sponge pads that are in the filters?

ive got 2 internal filters in my 4ft tank and it ever seems too get it clear at all

 

[Aqua Tom]

Plenty of large water changes & filter wool/floss.

Also you mention that some of our tanks look glass clear. This is because we take a photo straight away after a water change & tank clean. It doesnt mean it looks like that all the time.


Tom

 

[nurglespuss]

I tend to go for the loose stuff (that looks like cotton wool) as it seems to allow better flow of water.

but yes deffo good point, regular water changes, and taking phots at the best times!

 

[steve1]

I tend to go for the loose stuff (that looks like cotton wool) as it seems to allow better flow of water.

but yes deffo good point, regular water changes, and taking phots at the best times!

i do large water changes every weekend and it never get's super clear seem's too have a merkish look too the water when ya look from the side of the tank

think i will get some of this wool on saturday see if it help's instead of having the sponge pads in in the filters