Grystal Clear Water? How?

[mildew]

Hi,

I have a 4ft tank running an XP1 filter, Approx 60% plant coverage, sand substrate and about not heavily stocked. No matter what I try i can't seem to get the water crystal clear? I don't over feed, it's not an algae or bacterial bloom, just fine particles of detrius floating round. I have tried removing the sponges from the filter and stuffing it full of filter floss, but I'm worried about the ammonia/nitrite levels spiking as a result and also killing of the bacteria on the sponges as having been removed for to long. The tank has been running for about 2 years or so now. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Regards

Rick

 

[three-fingers]

What type of sand did you use? And did you wash it? There was a product by tetra that someone on these forums used for clearing up the silt left by sand..cant remember the name though .

 

[mildew]

It was Aquarium sand Silica I think? But it was over 2 years ago!

 

[Chri$]

You could add an internal filter which should help the external clear up the particles. As long as you aren't creating a whirlpool that should do the trick.

Or you could upgrade your external to a more powerfull model.

 

[raptorrex]

fit a bigger external filter, as big as you can afford. you cant really over filter, it would seem, and it works wonders for my tank.