How do I keep my water clear??? (Load Warning)

[arkmann]

that looks like a pretty thick layer of gravel

I would say that the gravel is about 1-2 inches think on different areas. I can't quite say an accurate number because the gravel is never flat. I think its not enough because based on the rule of thumb that I have researched, its supposed to be 1 pound of gravel/substrate for each gallon of water. Of course that can also be just a speculation based on experience and what looks good on the tank. My tank currently have 40 pounds of gravel which is 4x10lb packs of Art Rock smaller/smoother gravel.

 

[bigspizz]

I doubt it if it is a new tank syndrome. I did a fishless cycling close to 6 weeks on the Penguin 350 and I guess I can say that the bacteria colony in it is already established. All in all, the tank is about 2.5 months old. In the case of the Odyssea canister filter, it is definitely in the cycling stage because I've had it for 4 days.

Maybe its just me but I don't see a connection between cycling the filter and free-floating particles in my tank but this is my first tank on my own so please do lend me your knowledge.

By the way my water parameters are acceptable (I think), I have 0.05ppm Amm, 0.05ppm Nitrite, and 10ppm Nitrate.

Cycling.....or recycling like i said.....

 

[arkmann]

is one of them a barramundi

Nope. I have a CK, Royal CK, pleco, widebar, indo, thinbar, rbp, peacock bass (don't know which specie), and a catfish (don't know the specie either).

 

[arkmann]

Would do water changes until your ammonia and nitrites drop to zero. You want zero ammonia and nitrites at any rate.

That's what I'm shooting for that's why I'll stick to 2-3 WC per week until the bacteria colony on my canister is stable enough to convert all the ammonia and nitrites in my tank.

 

[arkmann]

Cycling.....or recycling like i said.....

Duly noted. So what is the connection with cycling or recycling of the filter with the free-floating particles in my tank?

 

[bigspizz]

I'm looking at the cloud....The particles ....I would now ask did you properly rinse your substrate? This happend to me once only way to fix it is start over pull fish, drop tank pull gravel , rinse..........first I will wait before I go on....

 

[arkmann]

^I think I rinsed the substrate right. I rinsed them 3 times until all the dust clogged my sink then I let running water run through it for about a minute then they were off to the tank. I rinsed the substrates one bag at a time so it did take quite a while. Let me add though that the substrate was added after the HOB was done cycling (just in case it matters).

Your suggestion will definitely work but man that is a lot of work considering that I'm in a second floor apartment...

 

[bigspizz]

^I think I rinsed the substrate right. I rinsed them 3 times until all the dust clogged my sink then I let running water run through it for about a minute then they were off to the tank. I rinsed the substrates one bag at a time so it did take quite a while. Let me add though that the substrate was added after the HOB was done cycling (just in case it matters).

Your suggestion will definitely work but man that is a lot of work considering that I'm in a second floor apartment...

Do you have plants in your tank?

 

[kelwkatdady]

I personally do not think you need to any water changes until your tank is cycled.

If I remember correctly you said the ammo is .05 ppm and nitrite were .05 ppm, that is hardly any ammo or nitrites. I'd wait for a couple of weeks until your tank is cycled. If you do a water change during the cycle process, it can and will slow the cycle process down.

As far as the water clarity, what filter media are you using to polish the water? Do you have any fine media in any of your filters? I use poly pillow stuffing that you can buy at most craft store and pennies on the dollar vs. what you would pay at the LFS.

 

[arkmann]

Do you have plants in your tank?

No plants, just the substrate.