Air bubbles = Gloomy water

[cenecker]

With your xp3s make sure the "primming cap' is on tight on the intake tube. Also make sure the baskets are stacked right inside the cannister(they should fit tight into each other and the top should secure them in place). If the basket are not fitted you'll pull air into the impellar(this air is in the cannister and you can see it by tilting cannister to the side).

I believe Bderick has hit the nail on the head. I had the EXACT problem you are describing in a tank with an XP3. I went over and over the tubing and inlets looking for a leak and was endlessly frustrated

Finally realized that what was happening was what Bderick describes, the pump sucking in air from tiny gaps between the top basket and the pump housing. Personally I solved the problem by restricting the flow on the outlet so that the canister filled COMPLETELY with water so there was no air gap around the outside of the filter baskets.

I hope that made sense...its hard to explain...

 

[cenecker]

Hope that helps...don't be hatin on my paint skills

 

[Angler]

Ok-

I put the blinds up and kept the lights off for 3 days. That got rid of the gloominess

However, the particles are still there! I tested my nitrite and ammonia again, and it is all good. I am starting to think what I originally thought and what Bderick and cenecker are telling me- these are bubbles! My primer caps are on tight, and my trays are stacked right. I am hesitant to turn the outflow down because I like to get the max flow into my tank.

My next question is this- Can water be too oxygen rich for fish??

 

[arkmann]

I am in the same situation all this time that I have had my tank. Actually, I kinda gave up on the idea on fixing it. I just came to the conclusion that these free-floating particles are actually beneficial bacteria. I have a canister filter which I also checked for leaks, kinks, or any air that was sucked to it but that didn't fix it. I also turned off the air pump that powers the bubble wand and that didn't fix the problem either. I also added water polishers next to the cartridges on my 2 Penguin 350s and that didn't fix the problem either. I also did the "put a blanket" over it advice and that didn't fix it either. I had 50 pounds of gravel on the tank before and I also removed all of it thinking that the particles might be dust. My 60G is now bare bottom. At the moment I am also considering adding a FX5 on a 60G tank that already has 2 Penguin 350s and a canister filter rated for 150G. All that to get rid the free-floating particles...

So I guess the free-floating particles on my tank is here to stay. My aim to have a crystal clear tank but that will have to wait until I get a bigger tank...

 

[Waldo]

Sometimes you can see infrosia on the side of the tank but they are not free flowing. I've never see free flowing benificial bacteria. I don't really have any idea of what it could be other then what I suggested and what they have already said about the can filter.

 

[arkmann]

^I kinda grew tired of it and just didn't stress about it and getting rid of it. But its all ok, all my fishes are doing great and with great personalities.