Particles in the water

[Joe980]

Hi All,

I‘ve recently changed my external filter to an Eheim experience 250, I’m mostly impressed with it but there seems to be a lot of particles floating in the water that aren’t being pulled in to the filter inlet. I’ve tried pointing the outlet so the flow circles round to the inlet but again they seem to just float right past it...

I’m not sure if the inlet isn’t performing as well as it should or if there’s another reason for it.

The fish don’t seem bothered by it, not confusing it for food etc and only really noticeable close up, it also doesn’t look like sand or bits of plants from what I can see - I’ve attached a couple of pictures for reference if anyone has experienced this or know what it is and how I can get crystal clear water.

oh, and there is a fine ‘polishing’ pad in the filter.
Thanks in advance.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I confess that I'm confused. Filter inlets are deep in the water and unless there's some kind of skimming, floating particles wouldn't be drawn into the filter. Any idea of the source of the particles? I might use a fine net to remove and go from there.
Ah....upon a closer look they are more suspended than floating. There's a lot of 'stuff' in the water. Was 'new' bio-media not properly cleaned? I'm thinking that even though you have a polishing pad, you may need additional fine media to get rid of the 'stuff'.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Did you just add the filter? If so, this is normal. Just give it some time to clear up. If it doesn’t in a few days, let us know.

 

[Metalhead88]

Can you take a picture of the whole tank so we can see exactly how the inlet/outlet are set up?

 

[Joe980]

Thanks for all the replies,
I added the filter just over a week ago now - rinsed the media until it was clear, cleaned out the whole thing before I put it together and installed it, so hopefully it's not 'stuff' the filter introduced.

I've attached another picture of how the filter is setup - the inlet is in the back corner and the spray bar is at the waterline spraying the water to the right, most of any bigger bits then fall down at the front or loop back towards the filter.

 

[Metalhead88]

That's probably the best way to set up the filter for that snapped tank.

What happened to the old filter? If you just completely removed it without using old media, you may have lost your cycle and have a bacterial bloom going on. This would explain the cloudy water.

Test for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. Do a 75% water change and suck up the poo on the surface of the sand.

How often do you water change and how do you usually do so?

 

[Joe980]

I left them both running together for the first few days. I did about 50% water change a couple of days ago after testing, all levels were normal but the Nitrate was quite high, so I changed - I've been using stability to try and compensate for the bacteria loss with the new filter.

I try to keep to a weekly water change, about 30%, have a small siphon I use to pick up the poo on the surface then a larger one I use that gets the water out quicker, but not as effective at picking up debris!
Treated water then back in via a colander to not stir up the bottom

 

[Metalhead88]

Did the water turn cloudy shortly after removing the old filter?

A few days may not have been long enough with the old filter running.

Test again for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.

I'd recommend doing larger water changes especially if your nitrates are high.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I’m starting to think it’s algae. Just because the tank is really green. I’m not for sure though...

@Joe980, how many hours a day do you leave your light on for?

 

[Joe980]

Did the water turn cloudy shortly after removing the old filter?

A few days may not have been long enough with the old filter running.

Test again for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.

I'd recommend doing larger water changes especially if your nitrates are high.

Hard to remember to be honest, but I noticed it after I had removed the old one.
Tested again, Nitrates were high again but not as high as the last test so larger water changes to get that down - thanks.

I’m starting to think it’s algae. Just because the tank is really green. I’m not for sure though...

@Joe980, how many hours a day do you leave your light on for?

It has a black background, which for some reason makes the back glass like a mirror - so could be reflections? I wouldn't say it looks green to the eye, but could be a possibility.
Thanks

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Oh, ok. It is possible it is a reflection. Try taking some water out and putting it in a clear container. Then see if it is green or clear.