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PAGODA STONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - That's the devils that did it to me , if they aren't the fake type. Not even a micron polishing sleeve on a HOT magnum will clear that up. Mine ran for a week until it slowed and didn't even come close to clearing it whereas a diatom filter did it in 15 minutes. Are you getting the white/grey residue where it splashes and dries?

You need a diatom filter or you will never get rid of it. I'd consider the small vortex. Hunt around online for the best prices. I do know that Petsmart carries it, but weigh that added cost versus shipping.

You don't change filters to a diatom filter - you just run it on a Saturday for a half hour, for example. It is a supplemental filter that is run periodically as desired.

Here's what I did:

Do a partial water change, then get diatom filter running. Stir the gravel while it is running. Then let it run another 15 minutes after you are done stirring. You won't believe how clear your tank gets in just 30 minutes.

While your diatom filter is running, you may want to consider cleaning your primary filter. If it is a biowheel, just let the bio-wheel float in the tank while you scrub out your filter tubes and the inside of the filter. Rinse it well to get rid of that sediment. You will want to eliminate your cartridge and put a new one in as the cartridge is holding sediment. It's the gift that keeps on giving as it is released . If you have a different type of power filter then gently rinse any bio-foam in dechlorinated, room temp water (not dirty tank water ). You want to release as much as you can. If you have a cannister, just try to rinse out the media the same way without disturbing the good bacteria too much so keep it gentle.

YOu may not need to keep washing the filter out each time you run the diatom filter. I often run them at the same time.

However, you are not done after the first shot. You will want to do this when you can no longer tolerate the cloud. I did mine about every 2 weeks about 4 times, then tapered off to monthly, then down to 3-4 times yearly. I do this regular now, even tho the stuff is gone just to clear my tank up. It makes me and my fish happy-happy!

For those who don't know what a Pagoda Stone is, here is a pic of a fake one - the only pic I could find

http://www.aquariumbeauty.com/display_product.jsp?Item_ID=MY-RO-2223

I scrubbed the dickens out of mine with a stiff brush, and it still did that to my tank. I wish I knew how to clean it effectively because it is a gorgeous stone with all the grids.


Last edited by Cory_Di at 21-Mar-2005 12:58

i had the same problem when i started my 55gal tank, the water was all white and clody even after water changes. Undergrav filters work wonders if you dont have one. Also theres a product called acurel, isuggest you use it, i dont know how it works, but it does. it cleared up my water within hours, works like a charm, dotn get too freaked out if you cant get it to go away, try the acurel it works unlike some other stuff.

nick

Nick
"Impossumable- unable to play dead"

I wanna thank Cory Di for suggesting the vortex. I went out for like an hour after setting it up & by the time I got back the water was already clear as can be. Thanx amillion, I would recommend the vortex to anyone having issues similar to myself.

Last edited by wiseives at 04-Apr-2005 13:31

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
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just got & hooked up the vortex, hopefully by 2nite my water will be crystal. /:'

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
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I have taken out the pagoda & did a water change with vac & the water has stayed clear for two days. It could still be a little clearer but compared to what I had before its a 100% better. I haven't even gotten the vortex yet as I had to order it online b/c my local petsmart didn't have any. Hopefully when it comes my water will get crystal clear. Thanx again CoryDi for the help & info, I'll post again after I get the vortex running to let u know how it worked out.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

I know what you mean and I've done endless searches on how to clean pagod stones effectively. My brother has a high powered hose with hot water outside. It's like a sandblaster . I may give that a shot after boiling it to loosen up.

The worst thing is that I asked @ the LFS if this stone would affect my water & of course was told no. Yea my PH was not affected but water looks terrible now. Hate to take out the stones B/C they realy look good but I'll just have to find something else. I'll probably just do all petrified wood or something.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

I found some makeup on Pagoda Stone, but I don't know how reliable the information is. Scroll down until you see pagoda stone on the left. It claims it is mainly made of calcite.

I'm going to do an acid test on mine. A drop of vinegar on an area after scraping should tell me if it fizzes. If so, then it shouldn't be in a freshwater tank unless it is for certain cichlids as it can raise kH and pH. If you have unbuffered water it would be good too.

If it is buffering your water, you may see your pH drop from 7.6 to whatever. I'd suggest checking your faucet kH and your tap kH to compare. Take bagged water to the fish store if you are unsure.

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200107/msg00401.html

Last edited by Cory_Di at 21-Mar-2005 14:46

Wise, it would be wise to remove the stones for now. Both you and I have to find out what the trick is for cleaning these properly. I still have mine in a box downstairs and I too paid a pretty penny. I'm wondering if boiling them wouldn't loosen what may be hardened clay. It could be hard to differentiate between what is rock and what is clay when it is dry. It's just a thought. Once you get the Vortex, you can always get it clean, then try again in a few months after boiling and vigrously scrubbing the grooves.

In fact, I think YOU should do that for both of us and let me know if it works .

What a shame because they are beautiful stones. The fish store across the street from me stocks them all the time and people buy them. When I explained what happened to my tank, even after scrubbing them, they were puzzles. However, you don't see any in their store tanks

So its the pagoda? If i got rid of them would it clear up? Although I like the stone & they were fairly expensive for a rock, I would get rid of them if it helps. I'm gonna purchase a vortex most likely & i'll probably just run to Petsmart as I hate waitin on ordered items. Thanx again CoryDi, hope ur suggestions do the trick.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
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I think I have a bacteria bloom & I can't get rid of it. Its been evident for like month now. Its in a 55G & I have been doing water changes like twice a week but no success. I have tried a few products for clearing the water but still nothing. Water parameters are fine and I removed a school of danios to see if it would help clear up.I'm really clueless to waht to do.
Oh yeah, it is a planted tank. The tank has been set up for 3 months & the water was clear for the first couple of months.

Last edited by wiseives at 12-Mar-2005 14:33

Last edited by wiseives at 12-Mar-2005 14:46

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Thanx CoryDi, I am considering changing the filter. I will look for one of these specifically the vortex.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

4 Bolivian Rams, 1 blue 1 gold gourami, 1 paradise fish, 3 dario loaches, 1 RTBS, 4 cherry barbs, 1 bulldog plec, 1 whiptail. Parameter= 7.6-PH, 0-ammonia, 0-nitrite, 0-nitrate, temp-74. I have some petrified wood(2pcs), an african root & some pagoda stones(5), As well as different types of aponogenton plants,some type of sword plamts.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Wise - do you have any rocks in your aquarium? If so, can you describe their texture? Did you get them from an outside source?

I got a milky white cloud that persisted for months and it came from rocks I hadn't scrubbed well enough. They apparently had hardened clay on them that didn't look like dirt and after being in the tank it began to dissolve. What a mess!!!

It required a diatom filter to clean. It uses diatomaceous earth which is capable of filtering out fine particles. I had to use it every few weeks for about 3-4 months because any time I stirred the gravel, the sedimenet came out and clouded the tank again.

A cloud like that doesn't make sense unless it is coming from the substrate or something else in the tank. Substrate powder will usually settle into the gravel.

YOu may want to turn all your filters off for just a few minutes. Wait for the water to settle a bit, then look up very, very close into the tank and see if there are particles that are tiny. I had what looked like actual powder, but nearly needed a mag glass to see it.

Another symptom of one such thing is that any place the water splashes it creates a white/grey residue. When the water dries it leaves just the powder. If you see that, then you truly need a diatom filter.

I worked with a Magnum HOT 250 and a micron polishing sleeve. One week of that and it did absolutely nothing. I wasted my money. I then invested in a Whisper Diatomagic which is a hang on diatom filter. They are getting harder to find and I'm disappointed with how my replacement bags are fitting (not tight) ]:|

The next best bet is a vortex. I highly recommend that any hobbyist keep some kind of diatom filter on hand because you won't believe just how clear your tank is after you run it with a diatom filter. Fish look like they are floating in mid air, it is that clear. I now run all of my tanks over 5 gallons on a diatom filter several times yearly, even when it doesn't seem to need it.

http://shop.petsmart.com/product/2534374302023693/2534374302030549/845524441782183.htm

Here is a Diatomagic, but I only paid about 70 or 79, can't recall. This place is pricier. I really like my diatomagic, but I'd probably go with a vortex next time around. I hope to have it for many years yet.

http://www.foryourfish.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/diatom_filters.htm

Last edited by Cory_Di at 19-Mar-2005 14:09

As far as how long your tank stays cloudy. Definite answers to the questions asked are really needed. A 55 gallon tank can take up to as long as 2 months to fully cycle. Also, What kind and How many fish do you have in the tank? Can you also please give water parameters? Don't just say there fine,Give readings.

I thoought about the overfeeding aspect But I thhink eveythings being eaten & actually I have cut down since the bloom started. I guess I just gotta wait it out until the water settles? How long should I expect the cloudiness to last?

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Wiseives,
Also,How often and how much are you feeding your fish? As decaying food can create a bacteria bloom and cause the water to cloud.

I've experienced a bloom due to phosphates. My Magnum 350 wouldn't clear it up. I bought a Vortex XL and it cleared up the water to crystal clarity in a few hours. It won't get rid of the cause but will keep your water clear. Later, Ray

You stated that you were doing 2 water changes a week. Just curious ,How much of the water are you changing?
You may quite possibly be changing to much water in the tank and not giving the bacteria the chance to fully establish.
I would simply refrain from doing all those water changes and once the cycle fully establishs in your tank then the cloudiness should begin to go away on its on.

Hi,
I recently set up a new 80gal tank and after a few weeks developed white cloudy water. Adding "New improved Cycle" to boost the good bacteria cleared it up in a matter of days and it's not a chemical that is going to harm your fish.
Cheers, James.