How to Clear Up Cloudy Saltwater

When the water becomes cloudy in saltwater aquariums, it's hard to see the life within. Cloudy salt water is caused by debris, excess protein or a bacteria infestation; the latter can harm fish, plants and other life in your aquarium. You can get clear water by practicing proper maintenance of your saltwater aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • Protein skimmer
  • Siphon
  • Bucket
  • Brush
  • Salt water mix
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Instructions

    • 1

      Allow the water to sit for 48 hours after adding new water, gravel, plants or disturbing the aquarium in any way. This can cause cloudiness that will resolve itself.

    • 2

      Install a protein skimmer to remove pollutants and keep the water clear. The process is as easy as attaching it to the inside wall of a tank and plugging it into an electric outlet. A protein skimmer, the recommended filter for a saltwater aquarium, can be bought at any pet or department store.

    • 3

      Change 10 percent of the water every two weeks to keep the water clean. Changing only 10 percent of the water at a time assures that you don't disrupt the environment too much . You can buy a salt water mix at most pet stores. Follow the instructions on the package, which include siphoning out approximately 10 percent of the water in the tank, mixing the salt into fresh water and adding it to the tank.

    • 4

      Scrub the sides of the tank to remove any salt buildup and allow it to work its way through the protein skimmer.