Thumbs up for ultrasonic record cleaning

@slaw,

The activated carbon filter 'may' remove the surfactant that is in the Versa Clean, and that 'could' be the reason for the water clarity.  As far as the cloudy water, that could be the build-up/accumulation of very small (invisible) particles that are smaller than the carbon filter rating.  Note that filters are rated either nominal which can pass particles as much as 5X the nominal micron rating, or absolute which will pass no particle larger than the absolute micron rating.  The 80 kHz frequency is very good for removing very small invisible particulate, but not as good at removing visible crud which is better accomplished with a 40 kHz machine or a vacuum record cleaning machine or manual cleaning with a record label protector such as the VinylStack.

@slaw 

Some other thoughts,

If you have been using the same tank of water for 5 months without refreshing the chemistry, the 'chemistry' of the Versa-Clean is likely long since exhausted and the tank water may be acidic.  Water at room temp and just warm will absorb air and CO2 which will then lead to formation of a weak acid - carbonic acid. You may be able to check the chemistry with a simple shake test - take a sample of tank water in a clean clear container, cap, and vigorous shake for about 15-sec - how much if any foam is produced, and how much is still present after 3-5 minutes.  Compare with a fresh diluted Versa-Clean.  That may give you an indication of remaining chemistry.  Also, the carbon filter only has so much soil/particulate holding capacity before break-through after which the influent (goes-in) is the same as the effluent (goes-out).  Depending on the number of records you are cleaning, using the same bath for more than 60-90 days is a stretch at best.  At worst, the cloudy condition could be the formation of bacteria.

@antinn ,

Thanks brother.

I'm in the first try with the carbon filter.I don't ever go longer than 5 weeks before replacing the water.

I thank you for posting!

@slaw 

Woops, misread your post, 5 weeks is not bad.  You may want to check  the chemistry with the shake test I discussed.  Also, Versa-Clean specifies that the cleaner is mildly alkaline pH 9.75.  You can easily monitor the tank pH with an inexpensive pH meter such as https://www.amazon.com/Accuracy-Quality-Measurement-Brewing-Laboratory/dp/B07Y32MXHY/ref=sr_1_3?dchi...

You will need to see what is the pH of a fresh tank and measure weekly to see how it drops.  Some cleaners will be 'buffered' so that the pH will decrease very slowly and then drop quickly which indicates the chemistry is depleted. 

first a word of thanks for this civil thread full of knowledge and real experience.

@antinn can you link to that “ tech manual “ on manual cleaning you refer to writing?

best to all and enjoy the music !!!!

Jim