I have sort of let it run rampant and not worried too much about the murkiness, figuring diatoms or something (there was loads of silicon when I built it all) and let it run its course.
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The water has become browny-green and murky, I can see the tiny little particles floating around in the sun light, visibility would be about 0% after looking through it length wise (6 feet). Will get some pics up soon (done!)
Now I'm finally fed up with it and need some advice and/or ideas to try.
The tank is a Walstad tank with a base sub of sandy soil and potting soil mixture with a gravel cap, the substrate seemed to be fairly clear after about a week of settling so I don't think its the substrate causing it.
Tank is heavily planted and lit by 3 MH lamps (2x75w and 1x150w) for 2 3 hour periods a day with a 2 hour break in between (in which some LEDs run solely for visibility), water is filtered through 2 1200l/h canisters and a 1 stage sump tank filter, circulation is provided by 2 3000l/h powerheads, which I have made sure are not stirring up the substrate.
All stock is healthy and thriving, No3 is nearly 0 and Po4 is minimal, no ammonia or nitrite of course.
I have a 36w UV steriliser with appropriate flow rate pump coming along at some point so will see if it makes a difference (yes I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding UV in FW tanks).
I have made several 50% WCs to try and clear it up but it doesn't seem to do much
My next thing to try is activated carbon in the filters, does anyone know where I can get a good source of it? I am near success, SoR.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated guys, thanks!
EDIT: pics now up, looks worse than I remembered
its a little greener looking than in person due to the MHs still warming up, but still terrible.....
Edited by Virt, 31 January 2013 - 12:07 PM.