Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: richly2enjoy on May 26, 2015, 11:42:39 AM
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After many long months, we set up the new cichlid aquarium this weekend! :D
Here are some parameters before I ask my question.
120 gallon 48x24x24
softened well water
no fish yet- planning fishless cycle
Pool filter sand, washed and washed and washed
200 lb rocks, washed and scrubbed
Fluval FX6
So after I added the lukewarm water, I added Marineland water conditioner, not for the chlorine, but for the metals. Because my water heater and tap water is loaded with weird minerals, I used extra water conditioner (probably an extra 40 gallons' worth or so of the conditioner). It looked clear last night immediately after filling, but is a bit cloudy this morning. Will try to attach a pic from last night (there are bubbles on the walls that are still clearing - this is not the cloudiness).
Anyway here's my question, should I just let it be and the conditioner will dissipate/break down eventually while I cycle it, or should I do a partial water change?
Question 2, the water also has a greenish bluish tinge: Is this from the blue-green Marinleand conditioner or my water? If from my water, will this ever go away? Perhaps it is from the reaction of the water conditioner with the minerals (oxidation of copper or iron or?)?
Help from local well water experts much appreciated! Thank you!
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You can safely use up to 2x the standard recommended amount of water conditioner!
Any more than that is probably not a good idea.
I would try leaving the lights off while you are cycling. Lights will bring out an algae bloom from minerals in the water. If those are your consistent water conditions, a water change isn't going to remove that from your tank.
You'd have to water change with water from a different source, be it RO water, water from someone else's house that isn't well water, jugged spring water, etc.
also, do you have a water softener system hooked up to your water? The excess salt along with the minerals will create that algae bloom problem from time to time also.
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There are water filters that should remove the minerals from your water, you might be better off in the long run installing one for your aquarium waster changes if it isn't healthy for your fish after its gone through the softener.
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I know the water is ok for the fish, just wanted it to be pretty, too. The LFS uses softened well water and their tanks are all clear and non-green. I also noticed that it doesn't look as green in the front, only toward the back. The LFS doesn't have 24" wide tanks (mine is a 48x24x24). So maybe if their tanks were wider, you could see some color...?
And the cloudiness looks better now. I will just let it be, and begin my ammonia additions.
Thanks for your help!
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The other thing you can try is a diatom filter, that may clear your water up.
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It might help to take your nose off of the glass and get a better perspective, so step back a couple of feet... LOL :P
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;)
Ohhhh! I was preparing for fish when my nose WOULD be pressed against the glass.
Here's another question: how much Ace hardware ammonia do I need to add to get 4ppm? I suppose I could Google this some more (already started), but would be good to get some practical advice.