To those who have crystal clear water.......pix

[fdiaz78]

A while back I was having problems with green water. I spent the $ and picked up a Coralife UV sterilizer. A couple of days after installing it I had crystal clear water. Now, my Malasian driftwood is leaching tannins giving it a yellowish tint. I boiled the #^@& out of it but I don't think it's possible to get it all out by doing that. I understand it takes time. Lately I've been using carbon in my filter and the usual water changes to clear it up. Aside from the tint, I think my tank water looks perfectly clear. I have some bubbles from a problematic AC powerhead but it's not too bad. I'd rather they weren't there but I'll deal with that later.

My question is, when I look through the side of the tank I can see the "cone" of light shining through the water. For those who have crystal clear water, is this normal?

Like I said, my water is extremely clear but this makes me wonder if it is in fact not totally crystal clear. I can't imagine the slight tint from the driftwood is causing this. Aside from adding carbon to the filter, I haven't changed anything. Have I just lost my reference point as to what crystal clear water looks like?

You can see the tint against the sand at the bottom of the pic.

Trust me when I say this. Get yourself some scavenger resins like that one that comes for the Filstar Caniter filter XP Series

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3615&N=2004+113066+2146962597

 

[gophersnake13]

Well seeings how this is not a bio-tope tank with species from different areas, and more of a color vibrant fish world designed to show the colors of the fish. (Thats my analisis) I would definitely add a few more plants (1 or 2 medium sized) And also the yellow is not bad as long as it is not really bad, The yellow slightly dull the look of some fish, but not very significantly. Don't worry about it.

 

[MikefromNH]

Here's a better pic showing the cloudiness. It has definately gotten worse in the past few days. I have been running the UV sterilizer constantly since installing it a month or so ago. Could it be the cause of the bloom?? I know there are UVS skeptics out there but from what I've read any claimed adverse effects had nothing to do with clarity.

When I had NT syndrome the water became cloudy and cleared up a week or so later, but not completely. It was then I noticed the remaining cloudiness was green. I do not overfeed or over illuminate the aquarium, nor is it in direct or excessive indirect sunlight, which is why I put the UV sterilizer on there.

If the cloudiness was caused from dead algae I don't think it would have gone from green to clear. It became crystal clear after a few days using the UVS. I remember looking at the tank and being blown away by the clarity so I don't think it could be that, but who knows.

Also, since I put the carbon in there a few days back, the yellow tint has been significantly reduced and yet the tank water has become more cloudy. I believe this puts the theory of the tannins causing the cloudiness to rest.

I have a packet of Bio-Chem Zorb, I'll give it a go.

Aside from the carbon, I haven't done a thing to the tank. Whats the deal here????? Any ideas?