how do i get my water "clear"

[fkshiu]

Coral Snow is a fine clay mixture that acts as both a flocculant and a pH stabilizer, I believe.

As a flocculant, its clay particles adhere to the little bits and pieces floating about and then they are skimmed out by your skimmer.

The clay has a secondary effect of neutralizing acids in the water column preventing lower pH which would explain why it also has an effect on cyanobacteria.

[whatcaneyedo]

Another option is to build a large low flow area in a sump where suspended matter will settle down to the bottom for siphoning out later. However that probably isn't feasible for most people.

[JonT]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to solve the problem, and not the symptom's.

If you have particulate in your water column, then something isn't right.

Over feeding? Are you putting more into the tank, than is being consumed (and I am including all the way down the chain to the bacterial level)

Water flow? Is there sufficient flow in the tank? Is it being fully utilized? The flow should keep particles suspended, but only for the purpose of getting it to the skimmer.

Skimmer? Is your skimmer rated for the size of the tank you have (realistically? Some companies put nice big numbers on them, but lets be honest when were looking at them) Is there too big a bio load? Feeding habits? Correct GPH going to the skimmer. Water moving too fast through the sump?

I would look at those. If all of that is working correctly, you shouldn't have the problem your talking about. If you feel all of that is okay, then I guess you can start spending money on the additives being mentioned. But it is IMO that you would be using the product for the wrong reasons.

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by JonT

...
If you have particulate in your water column, then something isn't right....

Yes and no.
Your corals and some other invertebrates need to eat.

Depends on what you want your aquarium to be.

Mitch