New setup - cloudy water

merkules

merkules

Registered Member
Sep 12, 2005
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Hi, I've got a 50 gal. Uniquarium with a protein skimmer that has been running for about 30 hours - filled with tap water (not softened, but conditioner added) and then added salt the next morning. Everything has looked and operated great; temp, salinity and ph all have been tested and are right on. I left for about 6 hours today and now the water seems to be cloudy. I grabbed the floating thermometer and it has what looks like a film on it.
Any ideas or is this part of the initial cycling process?
My rock and sand will be in by the end of the week for the "real" cycling...
Thanks!!
 
merkules said:
Hi, I've got a 50 gal. Uniquarium with a protein skimmer that has been running for about 30 hours - filled with tap water (not softened, but conditioner added) and then added salt the next morning. Everything has looked and operated great; temp, salinity and ph all have been tested and are right on. I left for about 6 hours today and now the water seems to be cloudy. I grabbed the floating thermometer and it has what looks like a film on it.
Any ideas or is this part of the initial cycling process?
My rock and sand will be in by the end of the week for the "real" cycling...
Thanks!!
Click to expand...

That is usually normal during the cycle process, check your ammonia it should be high. Have patience and let the tank cycle for a few weeks before adding anything.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply! I'll buy an ammonia test kit tomorrow...by the way, I have to scrub this film off the the inside of the tank. The water itself seems clear, but obviously something is in the water that is causing this. Do you still think it's really high ammonia or something else.
Thanks again!
 
No, the tank is empty. The water is 79, salinity 1.023 and as of this morning it looks like the PH dropped from 83 to about 80. Again, with nothing in the tank I thought it was wierd that I would have to scub some sort of white film off the inside...
 
Okay, so without a source for ammonia, the cloudiness is not the result of ammonia. Was the substrate rinsed? pH? Is the film sticky, or does it wipe away easily? Anything used in another setup in there?

I doubt it's anything to worry about, but it's not part of the cycling process.
 
I'm pretty sure at this point that it was just dust from when I poured the salt into the water. There's literally nothing but salt water in the tank - I wanted to tank to run for about a week with the right temp, salinity and PH before I added the rock and sand (this weekend).
Anyway, sorry for what is probably a fire drill...
Thanks!!
 
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