Sudden Cloudiness

Evening everyone. I have been watching the tank lately and have been impressed with how clear the water has been for the last 2-3 weeks. However, when I got home this evening from the office, the water was cloudy. Not horrible, but it was cloudy. I checked Ammonia--0, nitrite--0, nitrate--5, ph--8.2, and alkalinity--3. The only changes I have made to the tank were 3 emerald crabs for my wife. She thought they were cute so we got 3. Plus, we were told they would help keep the tank more clean...I.E. algae on the rocks, substrate, etc. I did not think they would cause any problems. We have been good with not adding anything for the last 3+ weeks until yesterday. What would cause this sudden onset of cloudy water? We do not overfeed and if any food is left in the tank, it is promptly removed. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you,

Todd

 

Are you adding any supplements to the tank? Is your alk of "3" in dkh or meq/L? What's your calcium at?

 

Have not needed to add any supplements...following are the readings taken Yesterday actually.....

Calcium--430
Magnesium-1350
The alk is Meg/L--3
Strontium-9
Salinity-1.024
Temp--80.8

All other tests were taken today as mentioned.

 

Water sounds good to me. Nothing in the tank that could be causing a sandstorm? If not, the only thing I can think of is a bacteria bloom which does happen in new tanks from time to time. If that's what it is, it'll settle out eventually

 

Nothing around at all as far as stirring up sand. I took the filter material out tonight and cleaned them to make sure that was not causing it. I do not have any sun shining in on the tank, but an Algae bloom would make sense I guess. Anything special I need to do? Turn the lights back a bit? I have them on from 8-8 currently. I was going to go from 9-7 for awhile and see if that would help...or should I just leave it alone and let it take it's course?

Thanks,

Todd

 

Not an algae bloom, a bacteria bloom I would leave it alone for now. If it doesn't clear up within a week's time or if something else happens, let us know and we'll take it from there.

 

I meant bacteria...I had my mind set on algae due to the crabs. Thank you for clarifying though. It is appreciated. I will leave well enough alone and see what happens. Thank you again.

Todd

 

Amcarring do you think he should run some phosphate free carbon for a while to help clear it up?... John

 

Good thinking. It certainly couldn't hurt!

 

Any special brand to get? I see you mentioned Phosphate free...I will remmeber that. just want to know if there is a particular brand that has been used by either of you that works the best?

Todd