Habitat - Indoor :: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Turtle tank setups and other indoor configurations.

Post Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 6:04 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

I'll start with your last thing and work my way up. :) We don't have a video camera or phone so that is out. My wine has been fermenting just fine, after we started to have our well filtration system flush out less frequently. So only 2 batches of wine were difficult, and that was way back in probably August. All have been fine since. The aquastop valves have never been removed. The pathways molded in the casings have been cleaned each time we clean the pump. I use, in the top media basket, Bio rings, nearly full then Purigen on top, middle I use Bio rings, with the bagged carbon filter on top of that, then a blue pad, then in the bottom basket, bio rings, a blue pad and in all baskets, the sponges. The baskets are black. The way I understand it: The tank water goes through the intake hose, then through the media, bottom basket first, then the other two, then exits back into the tank. When I first set up the media, I asked in this forum which to use and where. Thank you for your continued help. Husband will check the aquastop valves. Today, I think.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:14 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Checking all only. Very unique problem. Not the norm of an FX unless something is broken or off.
Have seen aquastop valve's break , part closed , causing a backwash can't hurt to check.

Actually water flow is : down inlet pipe all the way to bottom then up the outer circumference of the baskets/foam pre filter which then flows into the center part of the inter basket (your media setup) then all the way down the center to the center of bottom basket then directed by the molded guides into pump then back up the outlet pipe. It's water down , up , down , then up // [not down then up] if this is true for you then you are missing one of the tubes and reason for the problem. May of broken off and did not notice , things happen ? One tube is made into the lid and the other is made into the bottom casing. Was / is this a used filter can see why it was sold. If was a new filter then one tube is broken off to give you an down then up flow "only".

This is Fluval special flow pattern that make all FX's so special and efficient.
https://drive.wps.com/docs/1MT5VU2n

Or your top center basket being nearly full of bio rings and purigen on top ( as you state) may not be giving the adequate clearance for the water coming up from the outer area to flow freely down the center causing a backwash. My manual states this , never overfill basket , especially top basket. Clearance is a must for flow to enter center part down. This would cause a backwash and filter will not work correctly. Sometimes we think more media will work better when a problem come's up , this filter design that's not true , It's an important note in the manual. Something is causing a backwash and or the pathway of the water is being redirected causing filter to not work the way it was designed. Like a missing tube. Only reason I said check all and you can google for the water path as I stated it is. You can find images of it and videos too.

Trying my best to explain better wish I was there hands on. A cracked/ broken basket lip , a dislodge pipe , missing pipe , seen some lose a pipe all together , yes it happens ... some find it in the yard or garden if lucky , broken molding on bottom something is causing disrupted flow so filter is not working properly. Wish I could help better ! Since we been through everything else it has to be in filter which can be corrected easy. That top basket is the main key having clearance for water to enter center and continue down for proper flow as noted in manual as important !

NOTE / NOTE / NOTE / PS / Ps : please read post on the 10th about tube alignment also very important !!! took me three edits just to add this....note // getting too dam old...
Last edited by litefoot on Tue Dec 11, 2018 2:13 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 8:40 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

I remembered that unique Fluval FX water flow being a bit more complicated but my husband (Wayne) told me it worked as I repeated to you and so I believed him. Now I think he was just guessing according to the lines and hoses. I knew there was something though. I am the Turtler, not him but we have both been involved in the tank cleaning and media replacing but he's not up on anything about the pump or turtles. I believe in, "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" and as I say, we've sailed along til this Summer without a real problem,So advice I've been given here has been solid. I am so happy to come to redearslider.com and get help from nice Turtlers, like you.
So tomorrow Wayne and I will go over your post together and we'll see what we can do.
The Pet Store lady called today and said a new motor assembly is $150, if that is the problem. A new pump would be more than double that, if that is the problem so we'll see.
Thank you
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:33 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Please yes wait until the both of you read above post together and check ! Why I think it's something simple in filter we walked threw
everything eles . The Fluval manual states almost word for word as I above. May just be if you have both tubes the tube seat's are out or worn down which could cause this problem. A tube could even be bent a very little , angled a little "not seating" correctly . Even if you can't see anything like that go by "feel" when inserting lid. Lid will still close even if tubes not inserting correct. Go up and down several times with lid to get the feel . That's why it's another important note in manual. With me being old I sometimes rush that part but then I stop " not in" do it over to correctly align. It happens and once tube is bent / angled off a little will always misaligning and lid still close. Then must straighten tube to seat properly , maybe re glue it so it stay's straight .

If it's only a motor lady/pet shop is offering for $150 Way Way To High !!!

I just got one a few days ago [Motor , Impeller and seal for $139] just to have as a spare not that I would ever need it ! Peace of mine just to have one ! Just posted last week in "deals" thread the price to all and Steve , may not be that price much longer now going 2 weeks at that price. Was a Black Friday deal but they could get any so they extended price and yes in stock now. Sure not for too much longer .
I have spares / backup's on everything for Piggley .

As of tonight 12/10/18 at 9:32 still at that price "in stock" at "Big Al's Pets".
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Post Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:39 am   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Alrighty, yes, thank you so much. Wayne and I will go over the email, now, before I forget (I am old too!) :)
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:49 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Just asking: Would this work as a temporary fix until we get this all straightened out?

https://www.bigalspets.com/ca/algone-wa ... l?sku=1001
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:56 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

I would say no because it's the filter not being able to catch and hold the dissolved waste , algae … and I 'm not a fan of any chemicals. To me until this is corrected how about a media bag tied to you output nozzle with some filter floss or fine pads to help catch all that free floating stuff ?
Last edited by litefoot on Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:59 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Oh! Good idea! I will try that today.
Thanks again :)
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:03 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

May want to hold off on a new pump , a new one if stronger will just make the problem worst. It's something in the filter disrupting / misdirecting the proper flow into the media sending dirty water directly into the tank. Bet it's a tube or seat problem or maybe a cracked or broken basket lip.

Haven't broke filter down yet ? Look very careful at everything I suggested in the previous post. May be something so simple to correct and all this will be over !

The inlet tube or down tube should be attached to the lid ! If not there's the problem. If you lucky may be jammed or stuck in the bottom housing/seat ? If gone completely go to a pet shop or hardware store get a clear plastic tube and carefully cut it to seat properly (top to bottom seat ) and re glue it to lid , all done. If that's not it check all even for a small 3/4" break somewhere can do this.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:29 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

I did order the motor from Big Al's though. It was $149 Canadian w/ free shipping. I like the idea of having a back up motor. Negative on breaking it down. I had an all day trip into town and Wayne was painting, yesterday. He is at a doctor's appt. now so when he gets home, hopefully, he'll help me out with it.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:32 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

I like spares !!

I should be at a doctor to , I dug up my water main and replaced it yesterday , I'm feeling it now !!!!!
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:38 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

:mrgreen: Hello! I hope you didn't have to dig it up in the rain or cold. I was tired just after a day of running errands in town! Anyway, Wayne got home in one piece, and we tackled the tank together. I showed him the diagram you sent me the link for, showing the flow of water through the canister. So now he and I both get it. Everything checked out as being in good condition. We put a little less bio media in the baskets but not much less really because we didn't ever really pack them in. Purigen went to the top basket, on top of the bio media, then a blue pad on top of that. Middle was bio then carbon bag, then blue pad, and bottom was bio then blue pad and of course sponges around all three baskets, double checked to be snug in the bottom of each basket. We rinsed out all parts of the system, checked tubes, hoses, aquastop valves for any blockage or cracks, or ill-fitting pieces as we put everything in the canister. Hooked it up, removed 1/3 of the water and replaced it from the tap, plugged it in and it seemed to be okay. We both noticed that the intake seemed weaker than normal. But still, it was working. So now, we'll see what happens. My Wayne is an "I don't need manuals" type of guy, while I follow them like the Bible. Often, I just go along with him though, and what he thinks will work and trust all will be okay; and sometimes it is. I asserted myself today though and tried to convince him that it's best to follow the instructions in the manual. Not that he's ever going to change, mind you but at least, between the two of us, Krush might be a Happy Camper again very soon! Thank you again :mrgreen:
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:29 am   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Got the new motor and installing it now after seeing no improvement in the water. Couldn't find any instructions for replacing the motor, in the box it came in and online; Google, Youtube, etc. so we just did it like it looked like it should be done. Wish us luck please and wish Krush Clean Water. I'll report back. Thanks!
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Post Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:54 am   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Before you install , take the nozzle off outlet hose , hold 1" tube horizonal above water line to see what flow you have now , then once new motor in do the same to see the difference. Then put the nozzle back on.

Here's Fluval's video : https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=fl ... &FORM=VIRE
An FX5 and FX6 is the same motor.

All we talked about from well tap to tank and hopefully better flow with the new pump will give you crystal clear water .
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:18 pm   Re: Green, cloudy water again, even after a water change

Still having trouble with the tank but looking at getting an RO system because we have exhausted all attempts to clear Krush's tank water.
All hoses are clear, got the NEW motor for the pump, no leaks or cracks in any of our equipment, have been using BioMAX in all three media baskets, with the blue pads on top in each, and beyond that, carbon filter bag in the middle, and 2 Purigen bags in the top.
Have tried altering amounts and times of water changes, partial water changes, replacing media when needed but not all at one time. We even tried a nearly complete water change, leaving a couple of inches in the bottom. We rinse re-usable media also, but not the carbon; that gets thrown out. We tried without using a carbon bag too, and no difference.
In the tank, we only have the same pieces of Pet Store recommended driftwood and a Pet Store recommended fake plant. But all of these things have always been in Krush's tank. He has his heat lamp and his Reptisun 10.0 UVB lamp.
We have always fed him the same food that he gets now and the amount isn't too much and no different than before, with shrimp treats once in a while and maybe a bit of raw chicken or raw ground turkey, chicken or pork, but only rarely, and only a small amount. That hasn't changed either. We used to give him a minnow to chase and eat once in a while too which never was a problem either.
I did a water test in the tank today and got these numbers: Nitrate - 5 Nitrite - 0 Ammonia - 0 pH - 7.5. We then tested our water from the tap and we got 0 Nitrates ! So obviously the Nitrates are in Krush's tank, not in our well water.
His water just won't clear up. Within a couple days, it starts to get cloudy and then gets worse and worse. We have been dealing with this for months now.
Krush seems the same, happy to see us and always wanting to bit us when we pick him up. That's normal. His shell looks good.

So that's the latest report. We talked to our water specialist who helps us with our well. We are actually educating him on turtles! But we called mainly to find out which kind of RO system would be best because they vary in price quite a bit. We would get one that attaches to the tap in the kitchen.

If you could just review what we've talked about and what we've tried, maybe there is something we've missed?



Thanks!!!
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