Xzibit
09-10-2004, 11:31 AM
I have alot of particles in the water column Im not sure exactly what it is. I maybe tiny air bubbles but it seems like other stuff also. Is this normal? How can I fix it? I almost makes my water look a little cloudy from certian angels.
Thanks for you imput.
X
OrionGirl
09-10-2004, 11:47 AM
How old is the setup? Substrate? Is there a source for air bubbles to be in the water?
Xzibit
09-10-2004, 1:57 PM
Its been up for 2 months now. Substrate is playsand and livesand and some crushed seashells. The skimmer maybe at fault for water bubbles but even before i started running it and when I turn it off there are still particles. If I look up to the top of the water there is floating stuff also. My overflow does not seem to be getting it all.
X
OrionGirl
09-10-2004, 2:08 PM
You might want to increase the flow rate--this should help keep the surface clean at least. Also, put in some baffles between where the skimmer outflow is and where is returns to the tank. You might want to try putting in some mechanical media--a clean, thin cotton cloth around the overflow, for example, and running it for a day to determine if it's bubbles, or something else. If it's particles, they'll get trapped in the cloth, and from there you can decide how to remove them--if they need to be removed, even.
Another consideration--in a young tank with play sand, it's common to have some floating aprticles. They normally clear up, but if you have an active digger, such as some gobies, they keep stirring up the substrate and prevent it from settling. Sometimes it's necessary to put a thin layer of a heavier substrate down to prevent the cloudiness.