Greetings from Hastings Vic

[Riles]

Hi Everyone

Another newbie :) Just recently got ourselves a 100 litre tank (4 weeks ago), we only added fish last week. We have 5 bala sharks, one ghost knife fish (who I am absolutely besotted with) and two corydoras. We purchased all tiny babies (followed the cm per litre rule) and will be upgrading to a 6 x 2 x 2 tank within the next 6 months for when our fish grow bigger.

I seem to have everything under control ie. ammonia levels, ph and temperature however I am really struggling to get our water clear. There has been a slight white dusting on everything in the tank. We have done everything right and the lady at our local fish supply place said that she has had a lot of people saying the same thing and thinks something is being added to the water in Hastings.

It is clear but just has the slightest haze to it, I'd like to get it really clear but unsure what the problem could be when everything else is testing perfect. Have used accu clear but to no avail. We are running a cascade filter. Not sure what other info you guys might need for some advice.

Many thanks
Riles

[wombat1100]

Hello and welcome to TFT Riles, sounds like you are full steam ahead with the plans, as for the dusting, i would increase the circulation in the tank (air stones will help with this)to get the stuff floating and the filter will pick it up if its of sufficient size for the tank,
or try siphoning it out with a gravel siphon to get the bulk of it
Dazz

[Riles]

Many thanks Wombat for the welcome :)

We have a Cascade outside cartridge filter that suits a 100 litre tank, to increase oxygen it has the outlet at the top that runs the length of the tank (apologises for the lack of technical lingo but I shall learn with time :o )

Will look into the air stones but not sure how to do it with current set up, the dust is so incomprehensibly fine. I'm beginning to wonder if an under gravel filter would have been a better alternative but from the research I had done they were not recommended (or have I got it wrong?)

I've added a photo, it makes it look quiet clear but it isn't "crystal" clear and you can see the dust on the inlet pipe. Also we got rid of the pot and changed Jack's (ghost knife fish) house with some natural rocks. Hubby to be named him Jack, as in Jack Knife :rolleyes:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/Riley73/Tank1.jpg


I'm sure you guys get tired of re-educating us newbies but I'm just so terrified of loosing fish, if they die its my fault for not getting it right.

Once again thank you so much.

Cheers
Riles