Water Clarity

[Cichlid Pete]

Hi Guys,

My tank has been running nearly 6 weeks now and I think it has cycled as all my water parameters are good. The problem I still have is fine debris in the water. I am running a FX6 with the standard media. I thinking of buying polishing pads and seachem matrix and purigen. Do you think this will help?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

[Link2Hell]

Pete

how have you loaded the media into the filter

it could be as simple as the media type not being in the correct position

or wrong media used

[Cichlid Pete]

Hi Chris,

I have loaded the standard media as per the manual.

Top basket - Bio foam pads

Middle basket - Bio max ceramic rings

Bottom basket - Carbon pad

Cheers

Peter

[maxib]

I had clarity issues as well. Swapped out media in cannister for matrix, filter wool, a coarse sponge and macropore (similar to purigen). Water is crystal clear now. Filter wool is a bit of a pain in the a×××e. It gets dirty too quick but I am a bit overstocked.

[hoody]

its not air bubbles?

[mjoconr]

My main tank took close to 3 month to truly clear, but as you say filter wool and matrix help a lot.

Just purchased a 4ft which I'm going to put a Hydra Steam 2 filter on. I have cycled matrix and a canister ready if I have a problem but I'm really hoping it does as they claim.

I'm also in the process of building a 3 tank rack which if the Hydra work I'll put one on it also.

[Chuckmeister]

To me, a fully cycled and established tank takes a little longer than 6 weeks ( at least it always has for me)

I'd just keep feeding in check and do what your doing. In a couple of weeks if the issue is still there then there may be a problem.

Just wanna comment quickly on carbon...its fair enough your cycling but carbon in your cycling process sort of defeats the purpose of cycling (in a way). Cycling builds loads on your filter (and substrate, rocks, decorations etc) so it can support your fish and feeding loads. It is supposed to go through a chemical process before the water stabalizes and usually stabalize on the load you currently have in the tank. You can then build up the load in the tank ie more fish and gradual increase in feeding. Carbon will try and absorb all that ammonia etc while the tank is trying to cycle actively fighting the cycling process. . Carbon will also only collect so much and runs the risk of dumping its load back into the system.

Also with your FX6, you may want to consider removing the carbon and replacing with either another sponge or more ceramic as it will be far more benificial than carbon. Carbon to me is for emergencys (Removing medication, filter crash etc) but if your tank is running correctly it should never need it.

[Buccal]

What Chuck said I could have not said it any better. ^^^^^^^^

I run two fx6 on a 2500liter tank,, and have mechanical ceramic on top, biological ceramic on bottom and plain old medium black sponge in centre.

Tank is outrageously over stocked.

And it looks like the fish are sitting in mid air !!!! The water is so crystal.

Higher KH levels supports healthier, larger populations of beneficial bacteria. (always remember this).

As Chuck suggested, rip your carbon out and be much more patient, your tank will Definetely balance and cycle.

[Cichlid Pete]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for replying and your advice.

It's much appreciated.

Thanks

Peter