Cloud layer?

[Droyed]

So, I think the cloud problem has resolved its self. Went on a three day trip and the only thing lighting my tank was the led light set on a timer for 12 hours of illumination. Usually have the blinds open in a nearby window to provide some indirect lighting for the macro algae, but not while I was gone. When I got home the tank had cleared up a lot. I’ve since left the blinds mostly closed and the tank continues to clear up. Result!

[Droyed]

I’d ordered snails and after a hot weather hold of several weeks they safely arrived. Wow, what a difference! Those little dudes are worth their weight in gold! Water clarity is back to normal in just a week of introducing them into the tank. The organic growth will take some time to control, but the snails are having a positive on that growth already. Should have put them in the tank from the start, but I thought they were too expensive. Now, I have nothing but regret I took so long to get them. Don’t skimp on the snails!

[Droyed]

Here is my tank about two weeks after adding snails.

[dglidden]

Very nice jar and glad to see you finally got your weird cloud layer thing worked out! The only thing I would say is that, going with something Mustafa said to me with a similar photo, that chaeto could probably be reduced by a good 80% to give algae and other biofilm to build up for everyone. As he said, "it's a nutrient sponge"! I had about that much in my jar of similar size and once I removed a huge chunk of it (It can come back from tiny shards, so don't worry) the algae and other stuff started growing and making my shrimp and snails even happier! I don't really see much in the way of other bio buildup, so it's something to consider.

[Droyed]

Thanks! I just assumed the more, the merrier. It has grown a lot since starting the tank.

[Droyed]

I removed about 60% of the macro algae from my main tank and put it into my old 1 gallon tank. Hated to just toss it so set up the little tank just for the grass! If the snails get too populous in the main tank then I can move them to the little tank.

[Mustafa]

I’d ordered snails and after a hot weather hold of several weeks they safely arrived. Wow, what a difference! Those little dudes are worth their weight in gold! Water clarity is back to normal in just a week of introducing them into the tank. The organic growth will take some time to control, but the snails are having a positive on that growth already. Should have put them in the tank from the start, but I thought they were too expensive. Now, I have nothing but regret I took so long to get them. Don’t skimp on the snails!

Yeah, that do make a HUGE difference overall. They eat all the organic crap that would usually accumulate in the substrate, and they also help out with the algae. I consider the snails a must and we have them in all of our tanks!