Aquasoil Makes Water Cloudy!

[kingkew]

Hi all,

I have recently flooded my 2ft tank after planting jap hairgrass. However, the water is still cloudy after 1-2 days. I did not wash the soil before adding into the tank.

Is the cause of the cloudiness confirmed to be caused by the soil? And how do I make the water clear?

[skytan]

May I know if you had done any water change?
And the filter media in the OHF?

[Shadow]

I assume you are using ADA Aquasoil. My guess is your filter output disturb the soil. Try to top up the water all the way up. Also put white filter wool in the filter, it will help to trap the particle.

[kingkew]

May I know if you had done any water change?
And the filter media in the OHF?

I have just flooded the tank, so no water changes. I did turn on the filter for a few seconds before realizing it is too damn strong of a current even at the lowest setting. It is currently off.

Filter media consists of the typical black sponge, abit of carbon and bio balls

[skytan]

shadow, was spot on .

[14litre]

I have just flooded the tank, so no water changes. I did turn on the filter for a few seconds before realizing it is too damn strong of a current even at the lowest setting. It is currently off.

Filter media consists of the typical black sponge, abit of carbon and bio balls

Does that mean you have switched off the filter for 2 days and you are still seeing the cloudy water now?

I am not an expert but I think you need to switch on the filter to clear it.

I am also using Amazonia Soil and i do not have this clouding water.

But i do have the similar problem with my hang on filter where the outflow is too high and made a hole on the substrate.

To reduce the flow, i diy a container below it.

This is my thread:
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...d.php?t=119601

The first design failed because there were little water circulation thereafter.

The other design that i did not explain on that thread was, i placed the smaller white container (with the filter media) below the hang on filter.
That helps to reduce the water flow on the substrate and achieve some circulation.

But soon I replaced this hang on filter with an internal filter, after which I upgrade to a hang on canister filter.

If you wish to continue using your hang on filter, another way is to place a big plant or rock under it.

Otherwise you might consider changing to internal filter, canister filter (with spray bar), sponge filter or anything that does not create a "waterfall" output like a hang on filter.

[Urban Aquaria]

I have just flooded the tank, so no water changes. I did turn on the filter for a few seconds before realizing it is too damn strong of a current even at the lowest setting. It is currently off.

Filter media consists of the typical black sponge, abit of carbon and bio balls

Either reduce the filter flow or redirect it with hardscape so that the current doesn't kick up the soil.

Also add fine white filter wool in the filter (like what Shadow recommended), that will trap all the fine dust particles... otherwise they will keep getting re-circulated back into the water column and keep making it cloudy.

Doing more water changes will also help to physically remove the suspended dust particles too.

[kingkew]

Either reduce the filter flow or redirect it with hardscape so that the current doesn't kick up the soil.

Also add fine white filter wool in the filter (like what Shadow recommended), that will trap all the fine dust particles... otherwise they will keep getting re-circulated back into the water column and keep making it cloudy.

Doing more water changes will also help to physically remove the suspended dust particles too.

Filter flow is strong at the lowest setting. I have bought a very kiasu filter for a tank this size. It does not kick up the soil, it simply moves the cloudy water all over and I figured the water must be still in order for the suspended particles to settle

Also, how much is the white filter wool at c328? Would I have to change it regularly?

[kingkew]

Also, the soil I'm using is H.E.L.P Advanced Soil For Plants. I don't think there is a need for soil to be so costly

[skytan]

the filter wool is pretty cheap for 1 packet.
You can replace it whenever you do filter maintenance, or you can reuse if it is still condition.
Just rinse it abit.

[Urban Aquaria]

Filter flow is strong at the lowest setting. I have bought a very kiasu filter for a tank this size. It does not kick up the soil, it simply moves the cloudy water all over and I figured the water must be still in order for the suspended particles to settle

Also, how much is the white filter wool at c328? Would I have to change it regularly?

Most of the suspended particles that are causing the cloudiness are so light that they will not settle and just keep floating around, so those have to be trapped or removed.

You can usually buy packs of white filter wool from most LFS for a few dollars, they'll come in multiple sheets so you just need to cut them to the suitable shape and size to fit into your filter.

The white filter wool will need to be changed regularly when it traps enough dirt and becomes brown or black color. That's how fine particles and dirt are removed from the tank system.

Also, the soil I'm using is H.E.L.P Advanced Soil For Plants. I don't think there is a need for soil to be so costly

Well, good quality nutrient-rich soil will help to grow plants better and buffer water parameters much longer, so they are worth their price. Most of the time, the price of popular quality aquasoil like ADA Amazonia are actually not much different from other brands of soil (sometimes ADA even works out cheaper), so most people would usually just default to ADA aquasoil... less uncertainty, more predictable results.

[Dscheng]

For mine, after planting, it clear up within half a day. Maybe my tank is smaller and my filter is really strong.