Crystal Clear Water, How?

[mildew]

Hi all,

I'm having trouble getting my water crystal clear. I have a 125l (4ft) tank 60/70% planted sand substrate with endlers, galaxy's eyespot and blue eyed rasbora a couple of corys and plecs. No matter what I try I can't achieve crystal clear water. I have just upgraded my filter from a Rena xp1 to an xp2 on advice. the filter is loaded with the usual plus carbon and phosphate removal as a trial but concerned about effect on plants. It's been running for about 3 years. the problem is the is a lot of detrius suspended in the water, it chokes any fine leafed plants even increasing water flow seems to have no effect. water parameters are at 0. Any ideas/ advice?!

Rick

 

[excaliborg]

How is your inlet and outlet set up? Is there a good flow across the tank? I have the inlet in one corner of the tank, with the outlet spray bar on the opposite side and you can see any floating matter head straight towards the inlet. The spray bar and inlet used to be on the same side and any floating matter would just circle the tank and not actually get sucked up.

 

[mildew]

Spray bar is on one side and inlet on the other, I have a good flow of water across the tank and have tried changing height and position of inlet to no affect

 

[nry]

Have you got any filter wool/floss in the filter? I have Juwel internal filter built into my tank: I use a 1-2" layer of filter wool as the first layer that water passes through and it traps very fine particles (and other larger stuff) which leaves the filter sponges to deal with biological filtration: I change this wool on a weekly basis (it is very cheap) and have yet to clean the sponges in the filter in the tank which has been running for 7 months now.

Can't fault the clarity of my water at all.

 

[mildew]

I'm using filter wool but as the last thing before the carbon and phos remover, will change it round and see how it goes!

thanks for replys everyone

Rick