murky water vs. filter

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elhewman

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
12
Location
alaska
I have a fluval 404 filter that has been running 5 hours an my new 65 gallon tank set up(+15 sump). Long story short, the sand/rock substrate I collected had way too much organic debris in it. Though my filter seemed to clear out all of the visible debris, there is still enough murk(fine debris) to make potential viewing unenjoyable. How long should I give this murk to clear before I call it quits and try a cleaner substrate?
Though I can see through my 65 gallon set up, the water is plenty murky enough to miss the details.

Mind you I am also collecting Natural sea water so changing out is a fair hassle. I assume the NSW is not the main culprit though, as it seems pretty clear.
Thanks in advance!
 
In my experience it can take up to a week for eveything to settle, so I would give it some time.
 
I have a fluval 404 filter that has been running 5 hours an my new 65 gallon tank set up(+15 sump). Long story short, the sand/rock substrate I collected had way too much organic debris in it. Though my filter seemed to clear out all of the visible debris, there is still enough murk(fine debris) to make potential viewing unenjoyable. How long should I give this murk to clear before I call it quits and try a cleaner substrate?
Though I can see through my 65 gallon set up, the water is plenty murky enough to miss the details.

Mind you I am also collecting Natural sea water so changing out is a fair hassle. I assume the NSW is not the main culprit though, as it seems pretty clear.
Thanks in advance!

Totally normal. Just give it time.
 
I too have a coldwater tank that I use NSW. As others have noted, it will clear with time if it is coming from the substrate. It took two days with my system, but I have heard as long as a week.
Watch which sea stars you add, there are a couple that will slime in a BIG way when they are stressed, this will cloud the water and can kill your other critters.
I did have an issue on startup that turned out to be microbubbles, they can make the water look like there is "stuff" floating around. Check the sump with a light to see of your skimmer or overflow is creating bubbles that are picked up by the return pump.
 

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