Mirky water

[fluffer]

My tank recently started getting very mirky, and continues to worsen. I had recently added another light, making me move my existing power compact back over my filter. I thought maybe the extra heat caused a reaction with the carbon??? I moved the light, and nothing changed. What would cause the water to suddenly go from clear to very mirky in the matter of days? Please help!

[fluffer]

I just tested my chem levels, and everything is fine, the ph is at 8.4 but that aint too bad right? I also just started using kent calcium adder, I'm not sure if that could make the water so mirky.

[DEmigh]

Does the cloudiness seem to be a white precipitate? If so, then your second post may well be the answer to your question. Many of the members of this board ascribe to the philosophy of: If you don't test for it, don't supplement it. Do you test for calcium?

[fluffer]

No, I don't test it. The mirk is of a greenish color, not very white. I just did a 25% change. Hopefully that'll help.

[DEmigh]

"recently started..."

How recently? Could be just typical cycling chaos.

Greenish sounds like algae. Is there a phosphate source?

Are there fish in this aquarium yet?

Edit: Okay :duh: I just read/noticed the part about adding another light. How much/what spectrum do you have on your tank right now?

[fluffer]

Okay, I've got a 110 watt pc on my tank. I added a 15 watt flourescent, shouldn't add any algae growth.(Could Strontium Molybdenum add mirk?) Tank is 1.75 mo's old. Flourescent was in place before I got the pc's. Only 1 Flame Angel and Condylactis Anemone. I changed 25% tonight. Probably only overdose on calcium, how do I lower calcuim? What's the best test kit/ additive for reef? I'll be adding black/white clown, green plate coral, and ricordea coral frag next week.

[plantman1028]

Your cloud could be a bacterial bloom,that is common in newly established tanks.as for the plate coral and the ricordea,both need an established stabilized aquarium.They both need excellent water quality.Maybe you should wait a little while ...hate to see them die and waste your money.hope this helps