Cant achieve crystal clear water!!

rigsha97

rigsha97

AC Members
Jan 15, 2006
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Can't achieve crystal clear water

Trying to achieve crystal clear water with no luck. All water tests are normal and tank is established. Only water buffer is down. Have went days without feeding and still doesnt' help. Always what appears is a white film on top of water that can be broken up with air bubbles or spray bars breaking surface tension. All fish appear healty and active. But just can't get water crystal clear. Tried a water claifier and that seemed to make it worse. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
 
Need more info. What size tank? What type of filtration? How often do you do water changes? How much water to you change? What kind of fish? How many fish? Is this tank established or new? Is this a new problem? Has anything changed recently (new fish added, lighting changes, new plants, etc)? Also, test water and post results (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph).
 
I am more of a saltwater guy but it appears you have disolved organic compounds in your water. A surface skimmer would take care of this. The idea is that if the compounds are moved from the water surface and place back into the colum the would be broke down by your bio filter. Let me know if you need any help on acomplishing this.

Joe
 
Additives don't usually help water issues.
Here's a start:

What is your substrate?

Do you have any plants; if so, what kind?

How many gallons, what kind of fish and how many?

Decorations? What are they made of?

How often are your water changes?
 
stone gravel, fake plants bought from dr. foster and smith, 55 gallons, 8 cichlids 6 inches to 2 inches. plastic castles from foster and smith, weekly water changes approx 6 gallons with 25% gravel vacuum. peguin 330 hang on filter with floss, and eheim 1127 canister filter that has been running approx 2 months. Had a heater break approx. 6 months ago and killed all fish. cleaned and started tank again. Went through its normal cycle per ammonia and nitrite test and still hazy, if you look straight at it, it appears fairly clear but looking down from one end it is hazy and the white film like substance at the top that will break apart with surface tension. i know that soon cichlids will outgrow the tank and currently looking for a 125 gallon aquarium to move them into, just haven't found one yet, thank you for you time and info.as for the skimmer not sure what it does or how to use it.
Ph 6.8
alkalinty 40
hardness 75
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
nitrate 80
 
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The thing that pops out in my face is the nitrate reading. Generally you want to keep your nitrates from 0-20 range if you have live plants and if you do not have live plants this reading is way out of wack. I would start with several water changes over the next several days. This will help get rid of a lot of the nitrates. With that reading of nitrates, I am surprised that your fish are still alive. Also I would suggest an air wand of some sort to help break up the surface tension and get rid of the film on the water. Last, you might want to try running some carbon in your tank. This will get rid of any nasties in your water and help to clear it.

Marinemom
 
Use a Diatom Filter. I have a Vortex Diatom XL Filter I run about every three weeks and it works like a charm.
 
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