Chad and Belinda Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 We have 3 AI Sol blue LED units above our 90g. The water always seems to have a blue hue throughout and never appears crystal clear like I want. Any ideas or is this something that is only happening in our tank? Anyone out there using Maxpect Mazarra LED's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I've been using AI blue sol leds since June with crystal clear tanks. I don't think it's your lights, unless it's just your units for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 I really don't think so either but I've done water changes, water cleaners and whatever else came to mind. Starting to get flustered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 What brand salt do you use? I found alot of clouds when I used coralife salt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 What brand salt do you use? I found alot of clouds when I used coralife salt I just switch from Coralife to Red Sea Pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austx Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Ya salt could be a contributing factor, my next guess was going to be flow issues? Anyone in the tank that would disturb the substrate alot causing a spike in nitrate levels? What color does the cloudy water look, is it white yellow or green? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Differences in skimming performance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 My skimmer seems to be doing fine without any changes. I have 2 MP40's now plus the return pump. I have decent flow although it could be more (and I think I will crank it up now that you mention it). The few sand sifters in there are too small and slow to cause that much of a stir. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedelgado Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 filter socks help to polish the water but the are a pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 When my blues are on by themselves or turned up, my tank looks cloudy. During the day with he whites on, everything looks clear. Can you dim the blues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Lights don't cause cloudy water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Chad for what its worth, i use the mesh bag filter socks and they are a ton easier to clean and deal with. Also a UV may help clear the water a little. U run carbon right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Could it be microbubbles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 I know lights themselves don't cause cloudy water but the LED's seem to bring out whatever is going on with water. I try using socks but withing a few days they need to be changed out and it drives me nuts. lol I should do a better job. I've never tried using the mesh bag filters instead of socks. Are these the same one that you put carbon in? I do have a carbon/ gfo reactor. I just changed them a week or so ago. I have considered it being micro bubbles. My skimmer does create them. My sump is too small for a bubble trap and I don't really have room to move things around. When I get home I'll unplug the skimmer for a few days and see where that goes. The blues seem to magnify the problem. I'll try backing off a bit and see where that goes. There is too much blue anyway. Thanks for all the great ideas. I'll post what I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaJohn Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Are you carbon dosing ? or run biopellets ? Cloudy water can be caused by bacteria blooms. If you are cabon dosing use less. If you have biopellets going cut down the number of pellets in the reactor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Are you carbon dosing ? or run biopellets ? Cloudy water can be caused by bacteria blooms. If you are cabon dosing use less. If you have biopellets going cut down the number of pellets in the reactor. I'll do that. Seems like I used a lot of carbon last time. I thought it would help but looks like I was wrong. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickH Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I had a fish die on me and the water was cloudy after that. didnt know he was dead till recently. cyno showed up. Hope you dont have that problem, what a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 There is a difference between carbon dosing and using carbon. Using carbon in a reactor or passively will not cause a bacterial bloom. Overdosing a carbon source (vodka, vinegar, etc...) can cause a bacterial bloom that turns the water a milky white. I would have to agree with the others that the lights are probably not the cause, but they may make the problem look worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 If it's microbubbles from skimming you could set your skimmer to run only at night, thereby leaving it clear to view during the daytime and still getting your skim done during non-viewing hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 There is a difference between carbon dosing and using carbon. Using carbon in a reactor or passively will not cause a bacterial bloom. Overdosing a carbon source (vodka, vinegar, etc...) can cause a bacterial bloom that turns the water a milky white. I would have to agree with the others that the lights are probably not the cause, but they may make the problem look worse. I misread the post. No carbon dosing but I do use carbon. Thanks for pointing that out. I was still trying to figure out why that would make the water cloudy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 If it's microbubbles from skimming you could set your skimmer to run only at night, thereby leaving it clear to view during the daytime and still getting your skim done during non-viewing hours. I run mine 24/7. Seems like I read where that isn't always a good idea. Belinda and I are getting a new controller in. I can't believe how expensive these controllers and their accessories are. We are looking at close to $700 for somewhat of a basic set up. At least I can do more with my equipment. I'll post my outcome with the skimmer tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 ooo I love controllers, whatcha getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 ooo I love controllers, whatcha getting? Lol...Apex I like them too but I'm not a big fan of setting them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 check into a UV sterilizer, it will clean up the water if its an algae bloom. And promote a healthy fish population also JMO im not a professional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 I'm happy to say that the tank water is crystal clear. I'm not sure why the chane. Belinda and I thought about it and the only thing we have done differently about that time was going from Coralife to Red Sea Pro salt. Other than that, IDK. Thanks for all the suggestions. Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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